The round-10 battle was a preview for what is to come and Inter did not disappoint.
The minor premiers proved their class with a convincing 4-1 win away from home against their nearest competitor Centrals.
The game started at a hot pace with both sides looking to snatch the early momentum.
Eventually Inter broke clear and kicked the opening two goals of the game to earn a bit of breathing space courtesy of Sar Hay Moo and Noah Koko Htoo.
Despite the disappointing start, the Lions remained in the hunt and searched for an avenue back in the contest.
After half an hour of toil Lewis March found the back of the net to put the home side on the board and keep its hopes alive.
But Inter then flexed its muscles and another score by Sam Bueti ensured its lead opened again before half time.
The intensity did not drop off when play resumed and Centrals continued to push its fancied opponents.
The Lions produced several scoring chances, but returned empty handed as their best efforts could not break the strong defence of Inter goalkeeper Brayden May.
Centrals’ misfortune took a turn for the worse when play was paused after Robert Nagy went off injured and Inter attacked after the short break.
Connor Prior, Austin Rossi and Koko Htoo all threatened to score, but it was the latter who landed the killer blow from the goal post.
Now trailing by three goals the home crowd started to become vocal and the atmosphere reached new heights.
But it failed to inspire the Lions to a late comeback and the result allows Inter to head into finals with all the momentum.
In the other round 10 encounters Blue Lake struggled to bring the fight to Apollo, with the latter recording a four-nil win after a double strike from Erike Irakoze.
Millicent’s difficult campaign ended in a 3-1 defeat to Naracoorte with Andrew Munro the chief destroyer with two goals.
Much higher stakes will be on the line this Sunday with finals ready for kick off.
Inter and Centrals will meet once again in the qualifying final with a ticket to the decider up for grabs.
Meanwhile Apollo and Naracoorte are going head to head in a sudden-death elimination final.
Inter’s senior side is not the only squad from Casadio Park to head into finals with confidence.
The club’s Under 17, Under 14 and Under 12 male sides finished on top of the ladder, while its senior women secured its maiden SEWFA Grand Final berth after Ella Doody, April Hockey and Stephanie Gilbert led the side to a 4-1 win over Apollo.
The 2020 SEWFA decider will be fought between Inter and Centrals from 2.30pm this Saturday at Blue Lake Sports Park.