TANUNDA earned redemption on last year’s grand final opponent Nuriootpa, as it defeated the reigning premier by three goals in Barossa, Light & Gawler A-grade football on Saturday.
Neither side could take control in the opening quarter, and it showed as the scores were level at quarter-time.
However, the Magpies wrestled control of the contest in the second quarter, kicking five goals to one to lead by 23 points at half-time.
Leigh Westhoff and Dean Terlich were finding plenty of the ball in the guts, while Josh Trembath, who played his first game in five weeks after an injury lay off, was prolific up forward.
The Magpies looked home and hosed in the third quarter, as they kicked away to a 43-point lead at the final change.
However, the Pies took the foot off the gas in the final term, allowing the Tigers to kick five goals to one to cut the deficit.
It was too little, too late for Nuri however, as Tanunda won its eighth game in a row.
Terlich and Trembath booted three goals each, while Ben Britton and Riley McFarlane enjoyed two goals apiece.
For the Tigers, Tim Dimasi was their best with three goals, while Zac Dahms and Ryan Foulis added two each.
Tanunda player-coach Dean Terlich was to get one up on the Tigers following last year’s grand final defeat.
“It was good, obviously the first quarter we were a bit rusty, coming off two byes," he said.
“I was happy at quarter-time and then we got back to some decent form.
“We always knew they’d come back though, and the boys held on in that quarter.”
Terlich added he was happy to welcome back his key forward, Trembath.
“Yeah he kicked his three and he probably could’ve had four or five,” he said.
“He had five weeks off so he was pretty rusty but to get his three, that was the difference in the end.
The Magpies mentor admitted he is in awe of team-mate and veteran Leigh Westhoff, and his recent run of form.
“He just keeps doing it, he backs it up every week,” he said.
“The best thing about Leigh is he’s very consistent throughout the whole game.
“He’s a very good player to have.”