Having lost the previous two preliminary finals, the Saints prevailed 12.17 (89) to 10.6 (66) and will now meet Charlton in next Saturday’s grand final at Wedderburn.

The Saints were in control of the match when they led by 32 points eight minutes into the third quarter after a goal to Nathan Coghlan.

However, the Royals refused to lie down, and after kicking the last three goals of the third quarter and first two of the fourth through captain Glenn Wyatt, Seamus Young, Jackson Hogan (two) and Josh Reichmann, were back within four points and had the momentum.

A goal to Adam Tipungwuiti stemmed the tide for St Arnaud, but when Donald’s Charles Murrie replied soon after, the Royals were again within a kick at the 15-minute mark.

However, the Saints soaked up the challenge from the Royals, kicking the last three goals of the match through Tipungwuti, veteran Daniel Needs and Justin Cooper to win their way through to the flag decider – their first since they were beaten by Wedderburn by one point in 2012.

The best player for the Saints was Luke Wells, who was dominant in the ruck from the opening bounce.

Caleb Bloomer, NCFL Rising Star winner Harley Durward, Jacob Tillig, Gavin Vassallo – who kicked the opening goal of the match – and Tipungwuti (three goals) were also prominent.

The loss ends a season of massive improvement for the Royals, who made the preliminary final a year after going through 2014 winless.

Coach Luke Fisher capped a stellar year in which he won the Feeny Medal by being the best for the Royals, who also had better players in Brody Haddow, Nicholas Garner, Jarred Newell, Daniel Pearce and Reece Harberger.

St Arnaud won its last premiership in 1999 and is the only NCFL club since the turn of the century in 2000 yet to win a flag, while its opponent, Charlton, has lost back-to-back grand finals to Wedderburn, including in extra-time last year.