And they probably deserved it after three unanswered goals from the Diggers turned a five-point lead into a 13-point, half-time deficit for the Panthers.

First the captain willed his side to pick up a player in defence, and asked if they were willing to work hard in their biggest game of the season. Then the coach stepped in and relayed the same message with a bit of extra grunt thrown in.

The message worked, as the Panthers worked the Diggers over in the second half, including three-straight goals in the final quarter, to win by 12 points.

The match started in Pambula’s favour, as they dominated the early proceedings. Their inaccuracy in front of goals came back to bite them however, as a late goal to the Diggers had them just five points behind at the first change.

Merimbula charged into the lead in the second quarter, as their midfield started getting right on top. The Panthers only managed two behinds in the stanza, and entered half time trailing 5.2 (32) to 2.7 (19).

The second half was an even battle until two late goals from the Panthers sealed a 8.9 (57) to 7.3 (45) victory.

Tom Hammond kicked five goals for the Panthers, who move straight into the grand final in a fortnight’s time.

The Diggers will play the Tathra Sea Eagles in next weekend’s preliminary final.

Pambula 8.9 (57) (Goals: T Hammond 5, G Dinwoodie, F Cook, T Kellar; Best: F Cook, K Baker, J Stewart, J Dickson, D Simonson, C Clapton) def. Merimbula 7.3 (45) (Goals: I Radford 3, E White, C Aggenbach, J Raeck, A Snow; Best: R Harding, A Snow, I Radford, J Nicholes, W Edmed, E White).