Despite heavy showers of rain and a slow home track, the Magpies skill level was impressive.

New recruit Nick Schmidt got the nod as best on ground as he mopped up at half back and delivered pin-point passes to set up his team’s attack.

Tanunda coach Steve Lubcke said he couldn’t have asked for a better display.

“We played very well considering the conditions,” Lubcke said.

“Nick Schmidt’s skill level was exceptional.”

There were even a couple of spectacular marks, the highlight was Sam Agars’ effort in the driving rain, but Ben Britton also brought down a screamer.

It was a tough day for Barossa coach Rian Nelson, yet he still had a list of positives to go forward with.

“The form of Ross Christie, Adam Spencer and Michael Taylor was good,” Nelson said.

With the Bulldogs out of the contest at half time it gave Nelson the chance to give his youngsters some important roles.

“It was a good learning day,” he said. “We got to show our young guys where the standard is at.”

There was plenty of motivation for the 2008 grand final sides with the Anzac Day ceremony before the game, but Tanunda wasted no time gaining the upper hand.

“We wanted to prove a few things to ourselves as well,” Lubcke said.

One of the key differences between the teams was the size of the players.

Not only was Tanunda taller and stronger, but the big boys proved they can still grab the footy below their knees.

“In the wet you still need your bigger players to stand up,” Lubcke said.

“But we did stretch them.”

The Tanunda coach admitted having a hard time picking best players, because he was so pleased with the “total team” effort.

However one name to take note of was Ben Schiller.

“He was a revelation,” Lubcke said.

The youngster had a full grandstand in awe of his efforts - and there is no doubt he will become a crowd favourite.

The display left Nelson with one question...

“Is this Tanunda side the best BL&G side ever?” he asked.

He has placed them up with the Nuri ‘90s team and the South Gawler team of the ‘80s.

“Time will tell,” Nelson said. “I think the rest of us are competing for second.”