It will be do-or-die footy at Blue Lake Sports Park this Saturday when teams hope to keep their dream of lifting the 2021 Bendigo Bank Western Border Football League premiership cup alive.

South Gambier already has booked a spot in every single grand final and its partner to the big dance will be revealed after Saturday’s all-important preliminary final.

Millicent and North Gambier have already enjoyed a number of engrossing contests this year, but none of the recent bragging rights mean anything when they face off for a fourth and final time.

The rivals have won the previous two Western Border flags and have experienced unique journeys to the penultimate week of the season.

After not winning a game in 2019, the Saints skipped the 2020 Limestone Coast Football League and poured all of their resources into this season and it paid off handsomely.

Under the stewardship of returning playing coach Clint Gallio, it did not take long for the football world to sit up and take notice of Millicent once again.

Few recruits have ever made a bigger impact on WB debut than forward Gene Robinson.

The former Adelaide Crows SANFL player has been electric inside 50 leaving defenders for dust kicking 107 goals.

Robinson’s form has also peaked at the right time of year with his worst output an impactful four goals in his last five games.

Although the next best Saints are Sam Willis and Jacob Carger with 17 goals, Millicent is not a one-trick pony.

Willis and Carger are just two names to watch out for in a loaded midfield boasting a lovely mix of enthusiasm and experience with the likes of Gallio, Frazer Bradley, Finn Grimes and Billy Shanks all capable of turning games around.

The unit moves the ball fast with long and direct kicks, but the makeup of the midfield will be sweating on the fitness of captain Carger.

The leader has been sidelined from the semi-final loss to North and most of the final round due to a calf injury and will give the Saints a significant amount of potency if available.

A big source of confidence for the Saints will be thumping win in the previous Tigers’ clash.

An eight-goal effort from Robinson powered Millicent to a 53-point victory at home where Carger played an integral role.

However, North was severely undermanned on that cold August day and is keen for sweet revenge to keep its premiership defence intact.

Co-captains Nick McInerney and Brad Stafford left a huge hole in the Tigers’ midfield, but their return made a huge difference when the side ran back onto the McLaughlin Park oval.

McInerney has overcome an injury niggle, while Stafford has put his move to Queensland on hold to give North the best shot at finals and their grit helped the yellow and black overcome a confident East Gambier side in the eliminator.

The Tigers trailed on the scoreboard with 10 minutes to go, but their team leaders helped shift the momentum and flip the result.

The come-from-behind win was North’s first over the Bulldogs in 2021 and has given the reigning premier belief it has not lost its finals magic.

Dylan Munn and Tom Scarth pushed hard, while Brett Shepherdson’s rise from a B Grade to top A Grade performer within a couple of seasons reached new heights when he kicked a hat-trick of critical goals.

Tall target Sam Stafford is also going to be a key figure in front of goals and has happy memories of the Saints kicking 15 goals in three games.

Playing coach Justin McConnell will also be looking to stamp his authority having reached multiple goals just once in his last five outings.

At the other end of the ground, defender Jake Schutz could hold the key when he resumes his tense one-on-one rivalry with Robinson.

The Tigers have had the upper hand on Millicent during the course of 2021, but many believed the latter was a stronger contender for the flag.

However, last weekend was yet another example of North’s September success and the side is confident it can register a ninth grand final appearance in 10 seasons.

McInerney is preparing himself for another fierce battle against the Saints.

“They are a really good side and are very well coached with a lot of really good players,” he said.

“We are aware of what they can do and know if we do not perform to the best of our ability we will lose.

“But we will take confidence in having beaten them a couple of times this year and will be keen and ready to go.”