The Nuri Tigers outscored their Gawler opponents in each of the four quarters starting with a single goal lead at the first break but a five-goals to two second period broke the game open and from that point Nuri looked to be in control and responded whenever Central started to make a challenge.

In a best-on-ground performance, Nuri midfielder Brett Thiele set the tone for his team with his hardness and his teammates followed suit, appearing to attack the ball with more purpose.

By the second half Nuri’s cream started to rise to the top with Adam Fiegert (one of the most gifted and classy players the club has produced) dominating as the best big man on the ground and Aaron Modistach giving his team a focal point up forward with a return of 5-4 in a low scoring game.

Nuri coach Nat Salter was impressed with the effort of his team.

“They worked really hard to get it done,” Salter said.

“Chris Giles was a good example of this with his defensive pressure across half forward to keep the ball in the area.

“Judd Smith is another who does a ton of work and finished with three goals.

“It was an even contribution by a lot of guys and we need to continue that in coming games.

“We had a few injuries leading up to the game and I had to call on a couple of our under 17s, Connor Schneider and Chris McConnachy to fill in and those boys did a good job. If they want to keep training with us now that the 17s are out then they’ll have a good chance at getting picked on merit as they did everything we asked of them.”

For Central, Chad Elson, Jason Turner and Jamie Scott each kicked a pair of goals while Ryan Wenham was named their best.

Salter’s team now have the luxury of sitting back and waiting to see which of Tanunda and Angaston will emerge to progress straight into the grand final and who will have to face the Tigers in a home preliminary final.

The Magpies, having lost to Nuri in last year’s preliminary final, will be keen to avoid another date with Salters’ boys while Angaston, chasing their first reserves premiership in over 130 years of club history, will be best served by heading straight through the shortest route.

Either way the prospect of a traditional rivalry in the reserves’ next three finals games will have football fans anticipating some ferocious contests.