Millicent was crowned the kings of the Bendigo Bank Western Border Football League for the second time in three seasons, but did it the hard way at Malseed Park on Saturday.
South Gambier entered the big dance as the hot favourite following a dominant home and away campaign and a win over the Saints in the recent qualifying final.
However, Clint Gallio’s men adapted to the windy and cold conditions brilliantly and used their midfield mettle to run out emotional and deserving winners by 35 points.
The Saints made the move immediately after the first ball up when Sam Willis found Billy Shanks on the wing to claim the first inside 50.
But it took three minutes for either side to make an impact on the scoreboard as the backlines dictated terms with hurried kicks a common sight.
Callen McGrath kicked the first major under pressure, but the Demons hit the lead directly after through Brodie Foster’s diving mark.
Despite Todd Reid making his presence felt in the defensive 50, goalkicking master Gene Robinson opened his account after a nervy juggling grab.
Following a rushed, scrappy and tight opening term Millicent hung onto a two-point lead following a couple of late South goals and a yellow card for Saints’ ruckman Finn Grimes.
As a result, Mason Hein dominated the ruck contests and Brett O’Neil collected disposals at will in the Demons’ midfield, but they could not stop the Saints from marginally increasing the lead.
In a goal-for-goal passage of play, Millicent was slightly cleaner with the ball and enjoyed a double-figure advantage for the first time at the main break.
The corresponding fixture two weeks ago was almost a mirror image at half time before South trampled the Saints in the second half.
But on the big stage, Millicent thrived in the limelight and went on a march to the flag in the premiership quarter.
The run was sparked by a long bomb from Eli Redman as the Saints were not afraid to tackle with force.
After six minutes the lead ballooned past four goals as senior figures Gallio, Jacob Carger and Tom Renzi soldiered through their opponents.
At the final change Millicent appeared in a solid position leading South Gambier by 28 points, but hope for South fans still remained when coach Brayden Kain snapped the first major of the final term.
However, the Saints went on a tear playing brave football, charging through the corridor fronted by young guns Billy Shanks and Redman who did not stop running, while defender Zac McGuinness stood tall.
Robinson brought up his amazing milestone of 1000 career goals in style by kicking his second snap from an impossible angle in the pocket.
It pushed his tally to an unmatched four and put the icing on the cake for Millicent.
The Saints’ backline played a massive role restricting South’s scary forward trio to just two goals in the second half which sealed an emotional victory in the bruising and physical encounter.
Captain courageous Carger was awarded the Mick Ryan medal in his first WBFL decider after leading Millicent’s fierce effort with strong marks and tackles.
The win was a memorable moment for many at McLaughlin Park where 16 players scored their first flag, while at one stage veteran Steve Duldig was worried he would never scale Mount Everest and now he has done it twice.
The Saints celebrated with gusto arm in arm alongside almost the entire club in the middle of Malseed Park and the party did not stop after sunset.
