The young Roos were desperate as they clung to a slender three-point advantage. But a last minute goal to Girardi from deep in the pocket, after a strong lead and mark, had the Roosters snatch a three-point win, much to the disappointment of the Roos players and supporters.

For Ramblers, Luke Button was a tower of strength in defence, particularly in the last half as he continually repelled numerous Mannum attacks with strong marks and long clearing kicks.

He was ably assisted by the consistent Tyson Mathews.

Big possession winners Patrick O’Neil and captain Mark Marchetti were instrumental in keeping their side in the game.

Full forward Clint Girardi kicked four goals while the elusive Troy Cowland kicked three.

Mannum once again relied on captain Ben Quinn, who ran himself to exhaustion for his team.

Shaun Harte battle hard in defence, Justin Maloney and Paul Sarno had good games and Brad Wakefield was the best big man.

It was an improved effort from Mannum and further improvement and return of injured players will see them competitive with the top sides.

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Rigney runs riot against Imperials

Jervois 18.15 (123)

Imperials 17.10 (112)

THE Trevor Rigney show rolled into Murray Bridge on Saturday and did not disappoint, as Rigney’s Jervois held on to defeat Imperials by 11 points.

Playing in perfect conditions, Imperials started off stronger as forward Luke Harrowfield booted an early goal for the Blues.

Imperials’ Henry Hodge was in the action early as penetration into the forward line gave his side plenty of opportunities to put scoreboard pressure on.

Harrowfield was again involved as his second put Imperials back in front, but Jervois rallied late in the term and three late goals gave them a three-point lead at the first break.

Jervois came out of the blocks early in the second quarter, with Rigney snapping his second goal of the game.

Further goals to James Jagodnik and Brett Gazzola extended the margin to 21 points.

Hodge was playing a strong game with numerous possessions and a long running goal helped his side reduce the margin.

The momentum of the game had now swung to Imperials as Harrowfield booted three goals, including one on the siren, to put his side in front by five points.

Trailing at half time, Jervois stamped their authority on the match with a six-goal-to-three third quarter.

Ruckmen Jason Bayliss was dominating in the middle and around the ground, giving his midfielders first use of the football.

Three goals to finish the quarter gave Jervois a 15-point margin but Imperials were kicking with the slight breeze in the final term.

Imperials started well with Martin Ballie booting his third goal to cut the margin, but a second goal to James Cobbledick and a sixth to Rigney pushed the margin out to 27 points.

With no players on the bench available, Imperials looked run down as Jervois began to get away from the Blues.

But to their credit Imperials staged a small comeback.

Ash Temby and Shaun Clayson goaled in quick succession and when Cobbledick was yellow carded, Imperials were back in it.

When Imperials’ Josh Charles kicked truly and Harrowfield slotted his sixth, the margin was only four points, but Jervois captain Russel Jarvis put through a captain’s goal to effectively kill off the match.

Best for Jervois were Bayliss, Jarvis and Wade Mason and Imperials’ better players were Hodge, Matt Gogel and Harrowfield.

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Gutsy Bears clobbered by Tigers

Mypolonga 25.15 (165)

Meningie 9.6 (60)

A FANTASTIC day for football at Mypolonga saw the home side kicking to the RSL end into a two-goal breeze.

Play was scrambly as both sides tried to assert themselves.

Meningie attacked, but Todd McAlister cut off a mark and earnt the free kick.

Mypo were doing most of the attacking but could only manage three points.

Chris O’Hara handballed to Mark Turner and he snapped a point from the boundary to get the Lakesiders on the board.

Meningie soon brought up the first goal of the match through Andrew Cuneen.

Turner on his wrong side snapped with the outside of his boot, but the shot was touched.

Play was seesawing one end to the other and both sides were squandering opportunities.

Meningie then converted attacks with goals to Adam Bettineschi and Chad Thorpe.

The quarter lacked a bit of lustre and scores at the break were 3-2 to 0-5 in favour of Meningie.

Mypolonga’s first major was brought up when Ash Martin crossed to Joel Eckerman.

Kieren Jaensch added another for the Tigers from 50 and Brad Martin finally had his tally underway from a free kick. Persistent team work from Mypolonga resulted in another goal.

From deep in defence Eckerman found Grant Meneghetti who set up Brad Martin for a mark and goal.

He followed it up with a big pack mark and goal. Good defensive pressure from Martin and Eckerman gave an opportunity for Joe Pedlar to set Cameron Wells up for a long-range goal.

Meningie were trying hard and snapped a point.

Daniel Kelly was solid in defence for the Tigers.

Wells’ long kick out to Joe Pedlar was kicked long to Brad Martin for another goal.

Mark Oborn, Sam Flynn and Cainne Lynn ran the ball to Ash Martin and his bullet pass enabled Brad Martin to take another strong mark and goal.

Jarrod Thorpe earnt a free kick and converted for Meningie’s first goal of the quarter.

Meningie came out after half-time more desperate to get the ball.

Ten minutes into the quarter Joe Pedlar broke the deadlock with an accurate snap.

Michael Greenwood, Tim Saddlier and Paul McNicol worked the ball down the ground for Thorpe to goal for Meningie. Jaensch kicked a rover’s goal for the Tigers and Brad Martin found Lynn for another goal.

Tobin Naughton slotted though a major and minutes later kicked another from a free kick.

McAllister, Kelly and Flynn ran it out of defence for Joe Pedlar and Naughton to combine for Brad Martin to kick another.

Mypo immediately burst out of the middle and goaled through Naughton. Moments later he made it four after a mark in the square.

Meningie kept attacking but Mypo’s defence was playing well.

Shaun Ridley sparked a revival with a goal for the Bears.

O’Hara marked and goaled and McNicol from long range bounced one over the full back’s head for another.

Travis Simmons steadied the ship for Mypo with a set shot from 50 metres.

Brad Martin kicked his eighth from long range and then helicoptered through his ninth from 45m.

His next set shot from 55m out fell short for Naughton to crumb a goal. Greenwood goaled brilliantly from the pack for the Bears and then B.Martin brought up his tenth with an accurate set shot.

Eckermann capped off a nice day for the Tigers with a goal after the siren.