The Purples overturned a 10-point deficit early in the last term to triumph 10.11 (71) to 8.10 (58) at Tongala Recreation Reserve on Sunday.
Numurkah appeared poised to advance when Brent Arho kicked his third goal of the contest 88 seconds into the final quarter, extending the Blues’ advantage to 58-48.
However, it proved to be Numurkah’s final score of the afternoon.
Nathalia responded by piling on 3.5 without reply, regaining the lead through a goal at the 13-minute mark before adding another major late in the term to complete a memorable 13-point victory.
It was a remarkable turnaround after the Purples had surrendered their early control of the contest.
Nathalia made a blistering start and booted the opening three goals of the game on its way to a 5.1 (31) to 3.3 (21) quarter-time lead.
Numurkah turned the contest around during the second term, holding Nathalia to just 1.3 while reducing the margin to three points by the main break.
The Blues then hit the front in the third quarter and took a four-point advantage into the final change after outscoring the Purples 2.3 to 1.2 for the term.
But Nathalia found another gear when its season was on the line, producing the decisive seven-minute burst during the closing stages.
Joshua Dohnt, Liam Evans and Harry McDonald kicked two goals apiece for the winners, while Clancy Congues, Gus Frostick, Tom Nihill and Brodie Ross each contributed one.
Arho led Numurkah with three goals, while Tim Arnel, Nathan Hicks, Benjamin Millen, Mason Reeves and Theo Thomas added one apiece.
Tongala also booked its place in the next stage of the finals after holding off a spirited Mulwala comeback to prevail by six points at Moama Recreation Reserve on Saturday.
The Blues won 9.13 (67) to 7.19 (61), with their dominant third quarter ultimately providing enough of a buffer to withstand a late charge from the Lions.
Little separated the teams during an even opening term as they went to quarter-time locked at 1.4 (10) apiece.
Mulwala briefly threatened to take control during the second quarter, kicking three consecutive goals to establish a 13-point advantage.
Tongala responded emphatically, booting the final two majors of the half to take a 6.8 (44) to 5.10 (40) lead into the main break.
The Blues made their decisive move after half-time, holding Mulwala goalless while adding 3.3 to stretch their advantage to 22 points at the final change.
Mulwala refused to surrender and dominated the last quarter, kicking 3.0 while restricting Tongala to two behinds.
A late Lions goal reduced the margin to one point before Tongala registered the final behind of the contest, surviving to secure a tense 67-61 victory.
Jack Hammond spearheaded Tongala’s attack with three goals, while Tom Holman kicked two and Mackenzie Cowley, Darcy Laffy, Joshua Morrison and Levi Taylor added singles.
Sean Robinson was Mulwala’s only multiple goalkicker with two, while William Cookson, Oscar Elliott, Dylan Flanagan, Nathan McNair and Zach Scott each kicked one.
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