Last despite great efforts (5,3)

I believe the answer is:

after all

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'last' is the definition.
(coming after everyone else)

I don't understand the rest of the clue.

(Other definitions for after all that I've seen before include "in the final reckoning?" , "When everything is said and done" , "anyway" , "in spite of expectations to the contrary" , "Behind from start to finish" .)

I've seen this clue in The Globe and Mail.

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