Having taken out the minor premiership, losing just one game all season, then marching into the grand final by beating Manly in the major semi-final, the Saints’ premiership claim was under threat at three-quarter time.

They led by two points at the break, but then piled on three goals in the final term to ensure they would bring back the trophy from Blackown International Sports Park. Rylee McGartland, who kicked more than 60 goals for the season to be the league’s leading scorer, was a dominant target in the Saints forward line. 

The premiership comes with a sense of redemption, after losing last year’s grand final in extra-time to UTS.

The Saints only loss came in a 28-point defeat to the Magic and they were again under pressure in a nervy first half. 

But they produced 3.2 when it counted, without the Magic scoring.