RAMBLERS stunned Mannum with a nine-goal first quarter blitz to score a convincing win over the Roos at LeMessurier oval on Saturday.
Reigning Mail Medallist Ryan Morris started off proceedings with the opening goal of the match followed by majors to Patrick O’Neil and Adam Jackson.
Ramblers were clearing the ball out of the centre well through Mark Marchetti and Ryan Viney and when Patrick O’Neil found himself with the ball in the goal square to slot his second the Roosters were four goals up in the opening 10 minutes.
Mannum went into attack through Andrew Warnest and Justin Maloney, but like most occasions for the quarter it was repelled by Rooster defenders Tyson Matthews, Daniel Zadow and Joel Matchoss.
Morris goaled again from a strong mark and when returning player Luke Button and exciting first-gamer Ben Dougall both split the middle the Roos looked in trouble.
Morris was dominating at centre half forward and kicked his third, while Jackson kicked his second to end a convincing first quarter from the Roosters.
Mannum coach Lee Adams must have inspired the Roos in his quarter time address because they came out firing after the break, peppering the goals and scoring four points before Ben Quinn broke through with a clever goal.
Talented Roo James Smith was starting to have an influence and goaled to give Mannum the first two of the quarter.
Ramblers answered quickly with two goals to Liam O’Neil.
But some powerful running from Smith, Quinn and Shane Harte put the Roos back in the contest, with Mannum beginning to shift the momentum of the match.
Two goals in two minutes from a strong-leading Todd Boughen, including one on the half-time siren, had Mannum supporters cheering and the game looked to be turning with the Roos only six goals down.
A refocused Rambler outfit completely dominated the third quarter with Marchetti, Viney, Button and Liam O’Neil controlling the midfield and feeding the Roosters forwards.
A brilliant roving goal from pint-sized Dougall, along with a sensational major from a tight angle by Viney were the highlights of the quarter.
Viney began to take control, kicking a further two goals.
Youngster Alex Mason was having a good battle in the ruck against the more experienced Brad Wakefield.
Liam O’Neil kicked two more goals and Rambler defender Tyson Matthews was making it difficult for the Mannum forwards to take a mark, throwing his body at every contest.
Mannum stopped the flow with a goal to Shard Malchow, but Ramblers answered when Morris kicked his fourth to put them in control at three-quarter time.
The last quarter seesawed with Ramblers scoring freely, but allowing Mannum to reply on most occasions.
Patrick O’Neil kicked his third after a great spoil in defence by Matthews.
Mannum replied after a free kick to new recruit Josh Gould, who was starting to make his presence felt in forward line.
The Roos kicked another through Mark Dearman after a great passage of play by Smith, who was working himself into the game.
But arguably the goal of the match followed when Dougall gathered the ball on the boundary next to the point post, avoided two tacklers and snapped a freak major from a tight angle.
The Roosters’ physical pressure was evident as Dougall was involved with setting up their next goal through some strong tackling, resulting in Liam O’Neil kicking his fifth.
Mannum had a good clearance out of the midfield at the next centre bounce to find Gould on the lead, who kicked his second.
Jarrad Weyland was moved from the midfield to the forward lines and had an impact straight away, kicking a goal for the Roosters followed by Morris who kicked his fifth.
Mannum replied, kicking the next two goals, keeping the margin to around the 10-goal mark.
Morris kicked his sixth goal to finish a great match at centre half forward and the Roosters celebrated a good start to the season with an excellent win.
Best for Ramblers was Tyson Matthews in defence, Morris at centre half forward with six goals and midfielders Marchetti, Viney and Liam O’Neil who kicked nine goals between them.
Zadow was solid for the Roosters in defence, while youngsters Mason in the ruck, and Dougall in the forward lines, were exciting to watch.
Mannum’s best were on-ballers Justin Maloney and Shane Harte as well as forwards Ben Quinn and Josh Gould.
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