If Mangoplah-Cookardinia United-Eastlakes had any inkling the AFL Riverina Championship netball flag was a formality, they don't now.
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The unbeaten minor premiers had to scrap for everything by a tenacious Wagga Tigers in a thrilling 39-38 major semi final win at Robertson Oval on Saturday.
The Goannas hammered the Tigers by 16 goals in their regular season clash, but the minor premiers only led at the end of the quarter which ultimately matters.
Tigers defenders Rhiannon Podmore and Abbey Morton were superb all game, creating a number of turnovers and forcing gun MCUE goal-attack Sophie Fawns into long distance attempts.
Wagga led by two goals at quarter time and half-time respectively ,before MCUE drew level at three quarter time.
An upset looked a possibility when the Tigers led by two goals early in the last term, but MCUE found enough intensity and composure when it mattered to seal a grand final spot.
The Tigers will play the winner of Sunday's elimination final between Ganmain-Grong Grong-Matong and Osborne in next Saturday's preliminary final.
MCUE goal-defence and Henty product Vashti Muller, a newcomer to the team this year, said the Tigers' ruthlessness was an eye opener before the decider in a fortnight's time.
"They definitely brought it today and we were expecting that. From the get go they (Morton and Podmore) were unbelievable, hats off to them.
"We've got a good start in most of our games and that was our first time coming from behind, the girls got around each other and that's our strength.
"It was a good bit of practice (to perform under pressure), it was handy to get a hit-out like that.
"They (Tigers) are very off the body and space aware. Their elevation, Sophie (Fawns) can normally out-jump anyone and we had to play our short game today to get it through."
Meanwhile, competition newcomers Osborne have advance to next week's preliminary final against the Wagga Tigers after beating Ganmain-Grong Grong-Matong 60-24 in Sunday's elimination final.
The Ostriches ensured there would be no chance of an upset after dominating the second quarter 19-2 to build a 30-8 half-time lead.
Osborne have pressed the Tigers both times they met during the regular season, including a four-goal loss in the last round.
The preliminary final will be held at Robertson Oval on Saturday at 1.30pm.
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