Uncanny as it may be, the third term was an exact replica of the first term for goals scored with West opening inside the first minute with Haydn Warren adding his fifth and receiving a new defensive opponent in Tim Dunkley.

Lions regained control of the game and the scoreboard as Anthony Slattery, Tom Harmer and captain Brodie Lavis added a goal each.

West Augusta kicked back at the 21 minute mark to have a deficit of just six points before Horsnell kicked two on the run goals and an 18 point final quarter lead.

Tim Dunkley did a magnificent job on Hayden Warren, denying him any opportunity to add to his goal tally from his goal inside the first minute.

The fourth term created the exciting finish to the game, with Lions opening the goal scoring inside two minutes and West taking it to the nine minute mark to return, supporters of both teams could be convinced the game was over as Lions held what you could think was an uncatchable lead of 19 points.

West however found their purple patch adding two goals bringing Lions lead back to just seven points.

Tyson Horsnell helped punch the lead back out to 13 points with just nine minutes remaining on the clock.

West Augusta were not finished pushing the ball forward and giving Hayden Warren an opportunity to add to his tally and now just a seven point deficit.

At this stage of the game the crowd were all standing on the fence with baited breath for Lions to claim victory; with the ball jockeying back and forth between the centre half forward posts for both team, Lions managed to open their lead to eight points before West plunged the ball back into their attacking half to add a point to their tally, but through sheer desperation Joel Coulthard snatched the ball out to kick truly for a one point game with three minutes plus time on to spare.

West found renewed energy and moved the ball forward, with the Lions boys trying hard to tie the ball up and run the clock down for victory, however West broke free to kick long toward goal and as the ball flew knowingly missing a goal a draw seemed inevitable but just as the goal and boundary umpires scurried to identify the outcome, the ball smacked into the point post on the full to register a no score and Lions to inbound the ball quickly on empty wing and run the ball clear for a one point victory.

Lachlan Pole for Lions still eligible for Under 18’s football was a lone hand in the ruck being rested in the forward pocket for all of about 10 minutes dominated the clearances out of the centre and coming up against a rotation of two opposition rucks in Josh Nunn and Corey Singleton and when he had them beat Joel Couthard finished the game off with minimal impact. Tate Bradley, who covered the loss of Dean Steele playing a sweeping defensive role and with his unexpected speed and direct kicking, rebounded West Aug-usta’s challenges throughout the game and for mine, appeared to enjoy this style of football.

Wearing the Number 1 for West Ray Stapleton was fantastic all around the ground with his run and football smarts picking up possession after possession and adding a goal in time on of the second term to bring the result to one point at the main break.

Hayden Warren having kicked just one goal in the first term and missing two should be goals set shots, looked out of sorts with Daniel Pine doing a great job, however he’s a veteran of the game and got on top of his defensive opponent forcing a change early in the third term, where it looked as though he would be kept quiet for the remainder of the game.

Again through experience Warren was able to break free in the final term to kick two goals and almost help his team steal victory.

FINALS HOPES DASHED...Sollies’ Ryleigh Myles gets ready for a kick flanked by South’s Brett Jones.