Jervois withstood the onslaught and as the time-on period approached, they appeared to be gaining the upper hand.

A goal on the three-quarter time siren gave Jervois a four-point lead, setting the scene for a great last term.

The opening to the last quarter was very physical, with players throwing themselves at opponents and the ball alike.

Rigney kicked his seventh at the six minute mark to give Jervois a handy break.

Both teams were wasting chances, but when Paul Sarno and then Steve Thiele both goaled for Mannum, Jervois led by two points, 11.11 to 11.9, with about 10 minutes to play.

Supporters were on the edge of their seats as Sam Mahony goaled after a brilliant run by Matt Brion to give the Bluds breathing space.

After the goal a melee resulted after some pushing and shoving, which involved about 20 players.

This eruption lasted around four to five minutes.

It was a disappointing way to end an otherwise bruising, but entertaining, game. A goal after the siren gave Jervois a 15-point victory.

The best player lists from both teams were dominated by direct opponents. Mannum’s Wakefield stood Bayliss, Woodhouse (Jervois) stood Nitschke (Mannum), Beeching (Jervois) stood Gould (Mannum), and for a time, Bullard (Mannum) stood Rigney (Jervois), which suggests there were some great contests on the day.

It was an entertaining game and one that suggests the gap between the top three and those below is closing fast, which bodes well for an entertaining finals series.

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Blues on finals target

Imperials 24.23 (167)

Tailem Bend 14.7 (91)

Imperials’ Ryan Eyre continued his great season with six goals as the home team inflicted Tailem’s seventh loss of the year with a 76-point victory.

The opening of the match was slow, as both teams adjusted to the windy conditions, but Imperials were quicker to adjust as Luke Harrowfield booted his first goal of the game.

Harrowfield’s goal ignited Imperials into action as the Blues went on a five-goal burst.

Michael Sumner, who was returning from injury, snapped around his body to extend the margin.

Imperials were doing it at both ends of the ground with defender Ben Quast continually repelling the forward thrusts of the Eagles.

Tailem, however, were able to kick a late goal by Dylan Hogarth, but at quarter time they were down by 32 points.

In the second term Tailem came out with intent as they responded to their dismal opening quarter, and piled on six goals.

Michael Thomas stole the show for the visitors, as his three goals brought his side back into the match.

Junior Shaun O’Brien quickly lit up the game with his first goal for the day, as Imperials’ second goal of the term helped slow the Tailem comeback.

Imperials only had themselves to blame for the fadeout as their inaccuracy had cost them a bigger lead at the main break.

Imperials came out after half-time to stamp their authority on the match, and did so with an eight-goal quarter.

Imperials’ midfielders were beginning to run riot as ruckman Nick Stephen gave them first use of the ball.

Daniel Girdham was playing a great game and kicked his second goal after a strong transfer of play down the scoreboard wing.

Ryan Eyre was also finding plenty of the ball which allowed him to add three goals for the quarter.

The improvement of Eyre has been great - he has the ability to create run and use his skills across the ground.

At three quarter time Imperials had kicked away and were leading by 59 points and had the game all but wrapped up.

To the credit of Tailem they never threw in the towel, and stayed with Imperials for most of the last quarter.

Eyre and Girdham’s second half were the game breakers, as both kicked early goals to extend the lead to 12 goals.

Tailem battled all day and had some highlights, especially a clever snap for goal by Adam Robertson.

Robertson harassed and pressured opponent Rick Fischer into making an error and then calmly slotted a goal from the pocket.

Two late consolation goals by Thomas gave him five for the match, but as the sun went down and the game drew to a close, Eyre dazzled again to kick his sixth for the match.

Imperials had contributors all over the park with Eyre, Girdham and Quast all playing their best games for the year, while Tailem’s Dylan Hogarth and Todd Downs battled hard.

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Meningie demolished

Ramblers 31.19 (205)

Meningie 6.4 (40)

RAMBLERS avenged their shock loss last week to comfortably beat Meningie at LeMessurier Oval, on Saturday.

The Roosters kicked 31 goals to 6, to completely outclass the Bears, who battled hard all day.

Ramblers started by booting the opening two goals of the match, before Meningie replied with a major through Robert Payne.

The Roosters were full of run, with youngsters Troy Cowland and Ben Dougall in the thick of most passages of play.

For Meningie, Chris Lawson and the Saddlier boys, Greg and Tim, were battling hard for their side.

Ramblers went into the quarter time break with a six-goal lead.

The Roosters turned it up a gear in the second quarter, kicking eight goals to Meningie’s one.

Ryan Bretag and Tyson Matthews provided good run out of defence for the Roosters, while their midfield was on fire, with Liam and Patrick O’Neil, Cowland and Mark Marchetti finding plenty of the ball.

The scores at half time were Ramblers 15.11, to Meningie 2.2.

The Roosters came out after the half-time break full of run and forwards Ryan Morris, Adam Jackson and Ben Dougall were starting to get on top of their opponents.

The Bears battled hard, as youngsters Robert Payne and Chris Lawson repelled many attacks.

Patrick O’Neil kicked a brilliant running goal, after plucking the ball straight from the centre bounce and dashing away from the pack.

However, the Roosters had too much depth all over the ground and ran out the rest of the game to finish with a convincing 26-goal win.

Ramblers shared the ball around well, with good teamwork throughout the game.

There was no stand-out forward on the ground as the goals were shared.

Morris finished with five, with almost every Rooster player featuring on the scoreboard.

Liam O’Neil, who is currently going through a purple patch of good form, was on fire in the midfield for Ramblers and once again claimed best on ground honours.

Cowland, Weyland and Marchetti provided plenty of run out the middle and Matthews and Bretag were steady in defence.

For the Bears, Chris Lawson toiled hard all day, along with the Saddlier brothers and Payne.