Angaston took the Magpies right to the line with Tanunda scoring a last gasp one-point win at Angaston.

Both teams had players missing in this pre-finals bout. Angaston was without powerhouse forward Kent Kingsley, Brenton Bascombe and Nick Falland while Tanunda was missing Alex Kennedy and Tom Schiller.

Angaston introduced a pair of debutants in Luke Snowden and Matt Kurtz.

“I think the players missing on both sides probably negated each other so there wasn’t an advantage to either team in that regard,” Steve Lubcke, Tanunda coach said.

Tanunda had to make a late change on Saturday replacing Ben Britton (flu) and Barry Kaesler was also hit by sickness but played, albeit playing deep in the forward line rather than his customary centre half back.

The move paid dividends with Kaesler the Pies’ most effective forward target on a day not suited to forwards and he was instrumental in the Magpie comeback with the first goal in the final term.

Angaston controlled the game for the first half and could have been further in front but for the stellar play of Magpie veteran Karl Martin in his sweeping role.

“We were in a bit of trouble at half time,” Lubcke said. “They completely outplayed us especially in terms of the clearances and we found ourselves down by three goals in conditions that were traditionally probably better suited to Angaston.”

Both defences were on top and it came down to luck being needed to achieve a high percentage shot on goal and things got a lot worse when a torrential downpour that lasted the duration of the third quarter and further slowed the game.

Tanunda was still three goals down at the final change but refused to give up.

“I told the boys at half time that we needed to mirror the way Angaston played and just knock the ball forward at every opportunity and we became more accountable in the midfield. Things started to go our way and we managed to pull off what I think was our best comeback and possibly our best win in my five years as coach.”