The Magpies were beaten by a sharp and fast Tigers' outfit 47-35 at Learmonth on Sunday to miss a spot in the semis.

Springbank had been burnt by the Magpies' before and this was one Central Highlands Netball League senior clash the Tigers refused to let slip.

Game by game the Magpies have been quietly knocking off its opponents while all attention was turned to a jostle for top-four spots between league powerhouses.

The Magpies were hungry to prove their worthiness of a spot in the play-offs, ahead of traditional contenders Waubra and Ballan.

Play was physically tough. Springbank playing-coach Leane Birkett said the Tigers wanted to flex their prowess and prove their worth after a summer of rebuilding the playing list almost from scratch.

"We knew they would come out fighting," Birkett said.

"Clunes has some nice key-position players and we just tried to match them with our girls.

"We knew we had earned our spot in the finals and we proved ourselves out there."

The Magpies had plenty of the ball but the Tigers were more economical and barely missed a shot in goals.

Birkett (25 goals) and Josie Donegan (22) shared the Tigers' scoring load, while Magpie circle defender Regan Zaxos challenged the Tigers' duo.

Magpies' playing coach Amanda Guthrie carried the bulk of the Magpies' scoring tally with 26 goals.

Tiger circle defenders Emma Simpson and Molly Griffin pressured the Magpie attack, which became flustered and lost timing and accuracy in driving passes.

Magpie Jasmine Coleman worked hard in the centre while young Tiger Shenae Cunningham added bite to her attack.