It capped a thrilling year of encounters between the rivals, with a 23-point win to the Demons in the second semi-final the biggest margin between the two sides in four previous encounters this season.

South Gambier playing coach Brett Exelby said North Gambier, which won the past three flags, kicked the first five goals of the match, but the Demons hit the front in the last quarter. “We had our backs to the wall pretty early in the game, but the boys fought back,” ­Exelby said.

The Tigers had a shot on goal within a minute of full time but the kick sailed to the right for a behind, tying the scores at 12.9 (81).

Exelby, 38, believed having the week off after the second semi-final helped the Demons when the match went into extra time.

“We had a bit of confidence that we were going to have the leg speed and fitness to get through and our intensity lifted,” he said.

Ruckman Scott Fleming kicked four goals while resting forward and the side’s other ruckman, Jak Ryan, also had a huge impact on the game. But it was Brent Howard who received the Mick Ryan Medal for best-on-ground from the Demons’ assistant coach whom the medal is named after.

It was the first opportunity for Ryan, who had previously won 10 premierships as a player and coach with South Gambier, to present the medal to one of his own since it was named in his honour.

Ryan and Howard have won premierships together with the Demons.

“He’s just hard, in-and-under packs, and he was going all day and probably one of the reasons we got back into the footy,” Ryan said.

Exelby will coach South Gambier again next season but was undecided whether he would continue to play. West Gambier also won the under-15 final after extra time.