Millicent showed why it is the defending premiers by edging out South Gambier and becoming the first team to book a ticket to the 2022 Bendigo Bank Western Border Football League grand final.

With the Saints and Demons sealing the top two spots ages ago, a big crowd gathered at McDonald Park to watch the two favourites face off for direct entry into the decider.

The same sides played the corresponding fixture last year where South prevailed, but this time Millicent scored the important win off the back of pressure football across four intense quarters.

Victorious coach Clint Gallio said the triumph was an important one after a tough slog.

“It is a really great feeling and all of the boys are rapt and excited,” he said.

“We had known for a while, so it was a relief to play and win, especially because we did not know who was going to win and lose until the final siren.

“It was a real arm wrestle with both teams having good patches, but I guess it is just phase one done.”

The tension was palpable from the first bounce with both sides scoring two wins each in the head to heads as notable rucks Mason Hein and Finn Grimes both looked to give their respective star-studded midfields first use.

Although the Saints carried the momentum after winning the final round battle, the Demons struck first.

South Gambier coach Brayden Kain showed his eagerness for glory by nailing the first set shot of the game.

But the goal failed to blow Millicent away as Hamish Nitschke, Jacob Carger and Dylan Bromley showed their prowess in front of goal to keep the teams level across what was turning out to be a goal-scoring shootout.

While the Demons were also creating many chances, a mistake in defensive 50 created a costly turnover which was pounced on by Sam Willis.

The late twist proved to be the difference on the scoreboard at quarter time with Millicent holding onto a nine-point lead.

The back-and-forth opening term set the tone for the four-quarter arm wrestle which did not relent until the final siren.

The Saints started the second quarter in a big way with Bromley making his presence felt, but once again the Demons lifted when needed as Taylor Saffin found top gear and scored an impressive goal on the run.

By the time the main break arrived South had cut a 19-point deficit to just eight points and it was game on.

The second half was characterised by tough and contested play from both teams who were not afraid to get at each other’s throats in the heated environment.

Play was almost exclusively played on the scoreboard wing with both backlines standing tall, while Gallio enjoyed a tight one-on-one battle with Saffin.

Having been held back from Millicent’s pressure, the Demons found a spark through Mitch Sims, who was able to score three critical goals with two of them impressively finished at full throttle.

His strikes ensured South enjoyed the better of the “premiership quarter”, but some resolute defence kept the Saints’ lead intact.

Most of this can be attributed to Zac McGuinness, whose aerial work was highlighted with some mighty contested intercept marks.

These efforts meant Millicent carried a narrow four-point lead into the final break and set the scene for a thrilling finish.

With the Sherrin a hard prize to win, no one could break free across the first five minutes of the match-deciding fourth quarter.

The stage was set for one of the many big names on show to make their move and up stepped Tom Hutchesson.

The former GWS Giant playing his first WBFL final since AFL duty broke the game open with his clean and composed skills.

Hutchesson scored the first major with a snap around the corner and then found the big sticks again just seconds later.

His double strike gave the Saints some much needed breathing space on a tight day and with other big names such as Gallio, Willis and Carger also getting stuck in, Millicent’s pressure was starting to make a difference.

South had to respond and lifted its intensity by upping its tackling and hand-balling game across the following 10 tense minutes.

Eventually the spell was broken by Foster, who scored the much-needed goal out of nothing.

The big play kept the Demons right in the hunt and they continued to attack the goals in the hope of stealing the lead.

However, the likes of Kade Bradley, McGuinness, Kalan Shanks and Frazer Bradley were everywhere with saving spoils or intercept marks to shut down South’s play at the critical moments.

The win was sealed by Carger when the captain slotted a tight shot from the pocket and with the Saints celebrating in style, they knew they were off to another grand final.

To cap off the day, club stalwart Nathaniel Robbins was chaired off by the Bradley brothers following his 350th club game where he showed he has lost none of his skill or touch.

Gallio said the defensive pressure the Saints applied proved critical to the hard-earned 13-point win.

“We felt like we were sort of in control of the game, but they kept fighting back and had some good patches which put us under the pump,” he said.

“Both teams kept fighting back all day and the winner was going to be who held on for the longest and fortunately that was us.

“Our defensive work was really pleasing and that set us up to hold on.

“Zac (McGuinness) and Kade (Bradley) probably took around 20 marks between them at least and their ability to win the footy back for us across the half back line was pivotal.”