The Eagles caused the boil over of the round by rolling Mannum by 15 points and moved that tad closer to sealing a finals berth.

The patience of Matthew Dent, the Eagles coach, was rewarded by the performance of Laurie Rankine, who was the difference between the teams.

It’s been alleged that “Lozza” was about to axed after a few indifferent performances but Dent went into bat for him and Rankine rewarded his coach with a match-winning nine goals.

The game was there to be won at the last change, but for the third week in a row the Roos rolled over in the last term as their fitness level is being questioned.

Mannum were disappointing, but none more so than Clive Waterhouse.

His attempts at the footy were half hearted; he played from behind and didn’t chase. The three basic fundamentals of the game and he failed miserably in all three.

Whatever Clive got paid he should donate it back because he didn’t earn his dough.

When you come to the River Murray Football League with over 100 AFL games under your belt we know you can play the game, but you still must have pride in your performance no matter what level.

The grand final is being held at Mannum and I know that the committee is concerned about workers on the day.

Don’t be concerned Mannum, because your club won’t be playing in it.

Your players lack mental application.

They will be at a loose end on the day so they can park the cars and cook the chops.

****

The Meningie Bears sprang a surprise when the class forward Stuart Ferenci lined up against Ramblers.

Ferenci broke his leg at training earlier in the year and we all thought his season was over, but he bounced back from injury with six goals and gave the Bears that big attacking forward they have been seeking.

Meningie are a dangerous side and are not far off the pace.

They had their chances to roll the Roosters but once again they squandered opportunities.

Ramblers, with the three big forwards in Adam Jackson, Clint Girardi and Ryan Viney, kicked 12 goals between them and they were always going to be a handful for the smaller Meningie defenders.

Luke McIntyre, the boy from Corowa/Rutherglen, is finding his feet and is an important late season acquisition for the Roosters team.

He is starting to show his worth.

Meningie’s next two weeks at home will tell the tale of their season.

They are not out of it yet, but they need to win their next two games.

These are winnable games, as they catch Jervois coming off 21-day lay off, but they need to break a seven-year losing streak against them.