The Eagles started well with goals to Mitchell Vickers, Josh Herbert and Damien Raidis.

Patrick Gabb’s dominance in the ruck gave Raidis and Dylan Hogarth first use of the ball of the ball and the Eagles made it count with superb delivery and clever finishing.

Mannum’s Ben Quinn did his best to keep the Roos in the game as he kicked their first, but Tailem replied immediately with Matthew Dent booting two and a smart crumbing goal from Ben Hansen increased the lead.

The Roos would have been happy at the first break after late goals to Jarrod Woodward and Daniel Smith cut the margin to 13 points.

Good defensive pressure up forward was the key for Tailem in the early stages of the second term but they could not convert, with misses to Steve Thomas and Dent.

Shane Harte’s rebound from defence was valuable for Mannum and Quinn was doing his best to lift the struggling visitors.

Steve Thomas finally gave the Eagles a reward for their effort, but some silly frees gave two goals to Ben Lambert and another, this time to Aaron Smith, would have had Dent pulling out his hair.

Dent steadied the ship with his third major just before the long break as his team led 8.9 to 7.3.

Tailem Bend came out fired up after the change with goals to Vickers and Brad Bell, who was starting to have an effect in the middle of the ground.

Tailem’s Thomas added another, along with Herbert and Vickers’ third, and they had the Roos on the ropes.

Mannum’s Josh Rudiger stopped the bleeding, but the Eagles could smell victory with scores at the final change 14.11 to 9.6.

Mannum needed some early goals with the slight breeze to have any chance of a comeback.

Mannum’s Rudiger booted his second, but Tailem’s Hogarth replied with one of his own, followed by Raidis.

Quinn gave Mannum a glimmer of hope, reducing the margin to under five goals.

Tony Lynch took strong marks at centre half back to halt the Roos attack with Bell sealing the deal, before Dent iced the cake for Tailem.

Mannum’s day was summed up with Daniel Smith spraying a shot out of bounds after the siren with final scores 19.12 to 13.9 for a 39 point win.

Hogarth and Raidis were outstanding for Tailem and other good contributors were Lynch and Matthew Krueger in the back half.

Best for Mannum were Harte, Steve Dabinett and Sam Schlueter, and Quinn put in another tireless effort with his three goals.