Umpires Trussel and Clark were in charge, conditions were good for football.

The game was a dire struggle all night with so much at stake.

Both sides fought tooth and nail for the two points.

Both clubs had plenty of forward 50 opportunities but failed to set up a key forward with only 12 goals kicked for the game.

It was a battle of defences and both defences did a great job only conceding seven goals and six goals for the game.

Roopena coaching staff tried many players up forward all to no avail as Centrals defence led by Fabian Williams was superb in cutting out any forward surges and then rebounding magnificently, then it would be Roopena's turn to defend and rebound.

The game ebbed and flowed between both defences with the occasional forward thrust breaking through to goal.

This is where the Roosters finally secured victory; their forwards although beaten on the night came up with the goods in the last quarter when the game was there to be won.

Until the last quarter there was never more than one goal separating the two sides.

It was a desperate hard fought contest with both clubs giving all.

The loss of key defender Kane Grund in the final quarter continues Roopena's injury woes, but more importantly in the tight struggle that was occurring it cost the Roos dearly in the final stanza.

It was Centrals experience that finally won the day once they secured a two-goal buffer in the final quarter.

They played possession football to play down the clock.

But to Roopenas' credit, with their most undermanned side for the year, they gave themselves every chance to win; their endeavour and purpose could not be questioned.

The victory by the Roosters now sets one of the most exciting finishes in Whyalla football, with Roopena and Central locked in a titanic struggle for fourth spot.

And Norths and South locked in a great contest for second position on the ladder and the double chance.