South Whyalla held of a defiant Roopena in the first semi final at Bennett Oval on Saturday night giving themselves an opportunity to have a crack at North in next week's preliminary final.
The Roos went down swinging, never giving up and at times looked like causing an upset, going down by 12 points in the finish.
The Roos started the better and kicked with a slight breeze in the first quarter.
They got off to the perfect start and for the first eight or nine minutes were in total control.
If it wasn't for Reggie Reid in defence for the Demons they may have found themselves further behind.
South took time to get started and when they squandered a lot of scoring opportunities in the latter part of the quarter it looked like it could be one of those days but they still managed to have a three-point lead at quarter time.
In the second term South stepped up a gear and looked like they were going to blow the Roos away, their midfield took control and the likes of Baker, Sultan and Wilson were finding way to much space and if not for turnover's and bad disposal South could have been a lot more in front at half time.
Key players Ryan Burgess who was under an injury cloud twanged a hammy and Demon tall Peter Jackson was taken to hospital with a dislocated finger causing both sides worries at the big break.
Early in the third quarter the Demons were starting to look dangerous and were only one or two goals away from blowing the game wide open but they again were kicking more points than goals and were keeping Roopena within reach.
Baker was running off half back and along with Stuie Beaton and Reggie Reid who repelling every Roopena attack and things were looking good.
Roopena though weren't throwing in the towel, their midfield was still winning their fare share of balls but the quality of their possession in the forward was letting them down.
The Roos piled on four goals to two and gave themselves a real chance going into the last quarter.
This was going to be the last quarter for either of the sides and it was looking like being the Roos but they had other ideas.
Late in the third quarter the centre line for the Roos started to take control and they continue this in the last .
Justin Grund was having a big impact , Fiebig , Buhlmann and Bodinner were winning the clearances and the Roos were looking like snatching this from the jaws of defeat.
South had stopped running and doing the hard things and was loosing the ball around the contest.
When Toto Bodinner kicked three late goals in a matter of three minutes Roopena were within twelve points and the panic buttons were being pressed by the Demons.
The Dees were lucky to hold on as the Roos were beaten by the clock.
For the Demons their good players were Reggie Reid and Stuie Beaton in defence, captain Baker and Wilson.
For the Roos you couldn't go past Justin Grund who was superb, Greg Fiebig , Bodinner and Buhlmann.
South would not be overly happy with their performance but a win is a win, they will be looking for some improvement if they are to beat North and have a chance at the flag.
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