The Cats prevailed after a titanic battle, the lead and ascendancy changed throughout the day as both teams gave it everything to avoid a preliminary final showdown with Jindera who smashed Holbrook on Sunday.

Played in perfect spring conditions at Henty the game provided spectators with high class entertainment as a defiant Culcairn narrowly failed to grasp victory in the dying seconds.

Lions forward Trent Logue missed a set shot from 25 metre with about a minute on the clock, while Chad Willis desperate snap shot from a ball up just missed with five seconds remaining.

The match swung in the balance throughout with Osborne taking control midway through the second term, before the Lions fought back in to the breeze to grab a narrow half time lead.

Culcairn looked in bother when they trailed by almost four goals, but with the Schulz boys Ben and Sam, DJ Oates and Brent Barber gaining plenty of possessions they fought back superbly.

The Lions control continued in the third term when they dominated play territorially but failed to justify their dominance on the scoreboard, with the Osborne defence under the pump.

A late goal on the three quarter time siren from Osborne mentor Graham hart reduced the Lions lead to 14 points and when they goaled immediately on resumption the match was on a knife edge.

Evergreen Osborne utility Ant Armstrong stamped his presence on the game after a quite start to inspire the Cats with a dozen final term possessions. A Shane Weideman goal put Osborne in front as time on commenced.

The frenetic final minutes were finals footy as its best with both defences outstanding. Cal Litchfield and Trent Hadrill were brilliant taking many marks to repel the Lions onslaught.

The dramatic final minute that had the ball camped deep in the Lions attack brought the curtain down an epic battle that could well be repeated in a fortnight if Culcairn can overcome a rampant Jindera.

Osborne youngsters Marty Bahr and Djali Bloomfield were superb with Bahr’s courageous mark in the second term a highlight amongst many by both sides.