Central opened up with a nine goal- to-one first quarter and really send shockwaves through the opposition Tigers.

But then Nuriootpa turned the tables for a complete reverse and at half-time both sides were locked at 65 points apiece much to the crowd’s amazement.

At the break, Gawler Central coach Dawe was the most colourful and animated he has ever been in his coaching career and the paint is still seen peeling off the walls in the change rooms.

The response was immediate with Centrals add 11 goals to only two by Nuriootpa for a 56-point three-quarter time lead.

After the second term, Nuriootpa still had the belief for a final quarter comeback. But it was not to be with the last quarter providing a fairly even contest.

Dawe had mixed emotions when reviewing the game even though his side had a 10-goal win.

“It was one of the most bizarre games I have been involved in,” Dawe said. “We were looking for a response from the week before and to start the way we did was pleasing but then to be back level at half time was not acceptable and certainly disappointing.

“We need to realise to stand up and stop momentum but on this occasion we did not which was not expectable. If we are to play a similar game against the top sides it will be game over for us.

“The response after half time in which I was animated was more acceptable,” Dawe said.

Nuriootpa playing coach Nathan Salter was disappointed to lose in such a high scoring game but realised that at his side’s best they can match it with any side in the competition.

“We have gained the belief that when we are switched on we can compete against anyone in the competition,” Salter said.

“We are just picking and choosing when we want to play our style of football and that needs to change.

“We started slow being eight goals down but then levelling up at half time we had some hope but after half time we dropped our bundle,” Salter stated.