It was a similar contest to the first round clash between the two sides.

The emerging young Lions were within 21 points at half-time with a slight possibility of the biggest upset this season.

South returned from the major break to kick the first goal and hand the challenge down to the reigning premiers but the experience and talent of the Magpies showed through.

Tanunda was able to break away slightly in the last quarter kicking five goals to the Lions’ three and sustain their unbeaten streak.

Tanunda coach Steve Lubcke was pleased to have a solid contest leading into the finals and paid credit to South Gawler for sustaining a high level of pressure.

“We had to work hard to get the ascendency and it was good to be challenged by a side as it is what we have to expect come finals,” Lubcke said.

“Credit has to go to South Gawler as they applied pressure on our ball carriers for four solid quarters and challenged us all day.”

The Magpies were without big guns Alex Kennedy and Tom Schiller.

Although the challenge was thrown down early to Tanunda, they were able to kick away in the second quarter and hold that margin for the remaining quarters.

“I was expecting to blow the game away after half-time but South stuck at it and continued to challenge us,” Lubcke said.

South coach Andrew Milligan was pleased with his side’s ability to finally string two consistent performances together.

“We have put two really competitive performances together and the gap between ourselves and the sides in the top four is closing,” Milligan explained. “The development of our team is coming along nicely and without getting the ideal results we are in the right direction.”

Tanunda’s main contributors included midfielders Ryan Bignell, Ben Schiller and Matthew Underwood who all won their fair share of the football throughout the stoppages and provided the side with excellent drive when going forward. Ben Newberry was a good replacement for Kennedy kicking four goals while Sam Agars bagged five goals.