The final score was Eyre United 13.9 87 defeating Tumby Bay 9.13 67.
The Saints began the game by scoring the first goal and despite the ball being in the Tumby forward lines for much of the game by quarter time the score was 3.1 to the Blues 1.6.
Tumby Bay coach Michael Curtis gave his team a spray in the quarter time huddle, his voice audible around the ground as he kept the Blues moving - making them run on the spot for the entire break.
It wouldn't have been hard for Eyre United coach Ron Simpson to fire up his side - they were on top and loving it.
In the second quarter the Blues' confidence was down and their frustration was rising. The half time break saw the Saints lead 8.4 to the Blues 3.9.
Once the third quarter started, things seemed to be on more of an even keel with each side putting on three goals for the quarter. The Saints were being given opportunities from umpires penalties delivered from Blues loose lips and late contacts.
Three quarter time and the Saints 11.8 lead the Blues 6.11.
In the fourth quarter Tumby Bay led hard and clawed their way back into the game, but the Saints held out.
It was great to see confidence returning to the Saints, especially for the younger generation of footballers who wouldn't have won many A Grade games. Nick Gale and Jack Jacobs are Sainters to keep eyes on into the future.
After many years of being a top side, the Blues need to address some discipline issues and remember how losing this game felt, so they can use it to spur them on next time they meet.
Saints best: Ryan Modra, Joseph Burgoyne, Brad Foster, Scott Fitzgerald, Chris Dunn, Jordan Telfer.
Blues best: Tyson Cross, David Butler, Will Nankivell, Tom Kelly, Michael Curtis, Damian Clark.
Saints goals: Darryl Marshall 4, Brad Foster 2, Dylan Dunn, Matthew Schramm 1, Tynan Hill, Scott Fitzgerald, Dennis Males, Joseph Burgoyne.
Blues goals: Chris Prime 3, Michael Curtis 2, Jimmy Chard 1, Adam Milton, Tom Kelly, Luke Wilkins.
Tumby Bay 22.18 150 defeated Eyre United 3.2 20
Brian Coad kicked 6 goals, Ricky Clark 4 and Addison Lands 3 for the Blues, with Cameron Pedemonte, Andre Smith and Ritchie Stazinowski named best.
For the Saints Ben Smith kicked 2 goals and Aaron Sayers kicked the other, while Ben Robbie Flavel and Robert Degner were best.
Tumby Bay 24.15 159 defeated Eyre United 2.0 12
Luke Partington kicked eight goals for the Blues while Joe Walker nailed five and Tom Hennell three. Partington, Walker and Hennell were also the top three best.
Eyre United's Jackson Liddicoat kicked their two goals while Justin Jessop, Jack Jacobs and Tyson McCallum were named best.
Tumby Bay 6.11 47 defeated Eyre United no score
Jackson Murphy kicked two goals for the Blues and was best along with Marley Butler and Mitchell Higgins.
Eyre United's Will Stratford, Harry Degner and Kaden D'Agostitini were named their best.
By Sylvy Dolphin.
Perfect football conditions prevailed at Lock for the showdown round in Great Flinders football. Supporters of the winless Lock Roos were hoping to see some spirit amongst their players whilst the United Yeelanna eagles have been showing their worth as a finals contender.
The Eagles were missing Skinner, with Lever stepping up to his second A grade match whilst Lock were missing several players due to wedding duties.
The home team were quick off the mark due to a successful tackle by A Hetzel on big Jamieson, with conversion to follow. Within seconds a poor Lock handpass into the arms of Secker saw him make no mistake.
A good clearance to the Eagle's forward area was swooped upon by S Beard, but a further turnover put the ball onto Michael Crettenden's chest who found the big sticks. Yeelanna's third goal came through a clearance and run from T Habner to the scoring zone.
The game was competitive and for the next ten minutes neither side could gain the upper hand. Arbon was having a boomer across the half back line, supported by A Heath, Hentschke and Morton, whilst M Habner and Haylock led the defence for the Eagles, backed by their runners Skinner, Breed and Watson.
Britza was in everything for the Roos as was Northcott and Longmire. Schultz and Jolly were instrumental in breaking through to notch the Eagle's next goal with the response from L Heath after a free at 30 metres.
The next clearance saw two Eagles passes find the chest of Dufek. A run on by the Eagles in the last few minutes saw a goal apiece to Crettenden and Breed to see the quarter time scores at United Yeelanna 7-3, Lock 2-1.
Statistics for both sides would have been comparable - this was reiterated by coach Bower and his troops were urged to make better use of the ball. Murnane was happy with the performance of his boys other than some sloppy disposals.
The second quarter belonged solely to Yeelanna. Lock was unable to add a major for the quarter whilst Yeelanna added 6-5.
Big Jamieson and Simpson were invaluable all over the ground with Skinner, Watson, Dufek, and Crettenden all getting plenty of action. T Habner, Whittaker and Hancock's booming left leg completed the task of adding to the scoreboard.
With little pressure from the flat footed Lock midfield, Hentschke, A Heath, Morton and Cummins were continually bombarded with Yeelanna pack attacks.
The experienced Yeelanna midfield was too fast and skilled. Their commitment to the ball and the team with backup and support found the Roos wanting.
Half time United Yeelanna 13-8 Lock 2-4
A turn around in play saw a very competitive third quarter. Two bites of the cherry paid off for Breed as he was able to get the ball to the hot forward Hancock followed by a second within minutes from a free forty metres out.
A clever pass from Agars and Britza on passed to Longmire saw Lock's first major for the quarter. Skinner continued his pacey game and a stint at full back for M Habner saw 2 points for them, until A Peace goaled again for Lock. Zacher, A Pearce, Morton and Agars battled well with their opponents, but no quarter was given from Crettenden, Breed, Skinner and T Habner.
With the run of the ball and on his favoured left side, Sam Hancock kicked truly to end the quarter at 16-10 to Lock 4-6.
The final quarter was an anticlimax. The spirit seen from the Lock side had vanished and Yeelanna had control of the game firmly in their hands. Secker, Glover, Hancock and Breed all added to their goal kicking tally, well fed by Skinner, Watson, Crettenden and T Habner backed up by their two big men in Jamieson and Simpson.
Lock's lone goal was soccered from the ground at the three minute mark, almost a last hurrah.
A Hetzel, Arbon, Morton and Zacher continued their work for Lock but there was not enough from other team members to make a difference. Final scores United Yeelanna 21-15 Lock 5-7.
Yeelanna were best served by Breed, T Habner, Jamieson, Simpson, Watson and Hancock for his brilliant running and 6 goals. Lock's A Hetzel, Arbon and Britza didn't give up all day and Zacher, Morton, Longmire and Northcott had some good patches of play.
Yeelanna looks a well balanced team, their youth now with experience under their belt and the ensuing confidence this inspires. Their leg speed and disposal skills are good and combined with their team attitude have morphed into a real finals contender. Lock's focus must be on getting a win on the board during the second round, but one wonders if this will be possible while they persist with their current forward setup.
Umpires Pearce and McLachlan are to be commended for keeping the players honest and transparency in their decisions.
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