AARON DEGREEF

BAROSSA District’s season is over after it succumbed to Nuriootpa by 17 points in the Barossa, Light & Gawler A-grade first semi-final on Sunday afternoon at Nuriootpa Oval.

It was outstanding conditions for footy and you could tell that both sides were going to provide some entertainment.

Nuri kicked it off with Brad Bryksy slotting the first major of the game following plenty of stoppages.

However, Barossa forward Darren Sharp showed his skill with a banana from a tight angle to level the scores.

Both sides were terribly wasteful in front of goal, with the Dogs kicking 1.4 and the Tigers 2.2, with the latter’s final goal of the quarter coming via Zac Dahms.

Nuri led by four points at quarter-time, but looked far from comfortable after some poor errors in the middle of the ground.

However, Sam Gordon opened his account in the second term to extend the Tigers’ lead.

The Dogs fought back with Leigh Ryswyk beating his man and converting a snap.

Gordon then slotted his second of the afternoon, but Rysywk again responded and showed why he’s one of the competition’s best players.

The second term ended on horrid terms as a quick melee ensued, which Ryan Foulis took advantage of to put the Tigers ahead by five points at the half-time interval.

The third quarter was scrappy, contested play, with only one goal kicked for the duration.

Nuri eventually extended the lead through Billy Nicholls, which was impressive given the intense defensive pressure coming from Barossa’s Ben Cummings and Hayden Traynor.

The Dogs trailed by nine points at the final break, but they looked far from done.

Sharp was flying high and collected a one-handed mark, which he promptly bombed through the big sticks.

However, Gordon proved to be the difference for the Tigers.

He popped up with not one, but a trio of goals to end the Bulldogs’ season, and bring his personal tally up to five for the afternoon.

Sharp finished the match with two more consolation goals for the defeated Dogs.

The loss marked the end for player-coach Todd Miles at the club, who had announced he would be departing the kennel at the conclusion of the home and away season.

Brad Hoepner was terrific around the ball for the Tigers, as was Aseri Raikiwasa, who continues to show why he’s one of Nuri’s most important players.

Nuri will play Angaston this Saturday for a spot in the grand final against Tanunda.