Grant, the students' captain and No 8, used his aggressive style to inspire his team-mates as the students won eight games in a row.
It was enough to win Grant (24) the player of the year award, presented to him at the Alhambra-Union club last night.
Grant finished with 26 points and was followed by team-mate Stephen Fenemor 23, Tony Ensor (Kaikorai) 19, Ben Nowell (Taieri) 18, Charlie O'Connell (Taieri) 17, Scott Manson (Alhambra-Union) 17, Gareth Evans (Dunedin) 17, Peter Breen (Alhambra-Union) 17, Matt Kissick (Alhambra-Union) 16 and Angus Duckett (Harbour) 16.
Fenemor played a key role in the student resurgence with his accurate goal kicking.
He landed a last-minute dropped goal to give the students a 31-30 win over Taieri. It was Taieri's only loss of the season.
Fenemor scored 235 points and became the first player since 2006 to reach 200 points in a club season. He is third on the list behind Daniel Soper (Dunedin) who scored 260 points (1997) and Tutere Williams (Zingari-Richmond) 249 points (1997).
Liam Edwards (Dunedin) looked likely to break the record early in the season but a groin injury sidelined him. He finished with 199 points and won the Otago Daily Times popularity award.
George Folau (Harbour) scored the most tries with 15. It included five tries against Green Island. But it was a long way short of the record of 26 tries scored by Steve Dunn (Southern) in 1997.
A feature of the season was Taieri's back-to-back titles, a remarkable record for the club that regained premier status only four years ago. Taieri continues to have the most spectator support of any Dunedin club.
Another significant milestone was reached when three players - Luke Herden (Southern), Dean Moeahu (Green Island) and Shane Parata (Pirates) - reached 200 games for their clubs.
Five players reached the ton and referee Jeff Grubb controlled his 100th premier game during the season.
Dunedin club milestones
For 2012
Champion: Taieri.
Gallaway Trophy: Taieri.
Player of the year: Paul Grant (University A).
Most points: Stephen Fenemor (University A) 235, Liam Edwards (Dunedin) 199, Peter Breen (Alhambra-Union) 192, Hamish Rutherford (Kaikorai) 184, Ben Patston (Southern) 181, Joe Bartlett (Green Island) 156, Ollie Cuthill (Harbour) 137.
Most tries: George Folau (Harbour) 15, Tony Ensor (Kaikorai) 14, Kieran Moffat (Taieri) 13, Kori Rupene (Taieri) 11, Liam Edwards (Dunedin) 11, Harry Uffindell (Southern) 10.
200 points: Stephen Fenemor (University) 235.
200 games: Luke Herden (Southern), Dean Moeahu (Green Island), Shane Parata (Pirates).
150 games: Warren Moffat (Southern).
100 games: Paul Miller (Pirates), Josh Clark (Pirates), Garth Swan (Pirates), Brett Campbell (Green Island), Ryan Olsen (Harbour), Jeff Grubb (referee).
