The Eagles needed to start well if they were to overrun the Bluds, and that is what they did.

Early goals to Rankine and Hansen gave them the lead for the first time in the match.

However, it did not last, as Wade Hutchinson immediately replied for the Bluds.

Rankine booted his fourth to claim back the lead.

The Bluds’ experienced go-to-man, Sterzl, stood up and booted three goals in five minutes to have them looking like winners.

Braidwood’s third looked to have Jervois home and hosed, but Tailem did not give up.

Hansen’s fourth and Bell’s second gave them a slim chance, with an 11-point margin with three minutes remaining.

Steven Braun sealed the deal, capitalising on a mistake in defence, as Jervois ran out winners by 12 points.

Best for Jervois were Sterzl, Braidwood, Hutchinson, Brock Wells and Michael Tomlinson, and for Tailem it was Damien Raidis, Gregory, Linde for his defensive job on Rigney, Hogarth and Mitch Vickers.

ramblers 19.26 (140)

meningie 8.11 (59)

IN ideal football conditions down at the Lakeside Oval Ramblers were able to convincingly overcome a depleted Meningie outfit, to run out winners by 81 points.

From the get-go the Roosters were in an attacking mood as they went forward and goaled through Adam Jackson.

From there they kept up the offence as they put the pressure on the Bears’ defence.

After over 10 minutes of continued attack resulting only in minor scores, Ryan Viney was able to kick truly, followed closely by Clint Girardi and Matt Thompson.

The Roosters were working well out of the middle and somewhat blitzing Meningie, as Viney added another goal to see the Bears goal-less in the first term and Ramblers with a 34-point lead at the first change.

The Bears looked to come out of the quarter-time huddle reinvigorated, as they banged on two quick goals through Ryan Mallard.

But the Ramblers’ midfield was still proving a handful for the Bears, as they responded by going forward and goaling through Jarrod Sykes.

However, Mallard was proving to be a handy target when the Bears went into attack, as he put on another major, but the Roosters replied through Viney again, with Lloyd McIntyre following with another a minute later.

The young rucking trio of Alex Mason, Mark Rumbelow and Matt Altmann was proving to be a great advantage for the Roosters, as they were able to give their on-ballers first look at the footy.

Girardi then put on his second to give Ramblers a handy seven-goal lead at the main break.

Viney added another to his tally within minutes of the third quarter’s commencement, and after some good passages of play from both sides, he added two more to further the Roosters’ lead.

It looked to be his quarter as the Bears’ defence struggled to contain him as he put through another major to extend the Rooster.

A late goal to the Bears through Andrew Cunneen saw Ramblers go into the last quarter with an 11-goal lead.

The Roosters looked to sink the boot in as they attacked early in the last term, with Patrick O’Neil kicking truly.

But the Bears responded a short time later through Josh Robinson.

Both sides were going all out in attack as the ball see-sawed from one end to the other, but two quick goals to Ramblers through Jackson and Girardi saw the Roosters surge ahead.

However, Mallard responded with a goal for the Bears, but the Roosters had all the answers as Ty Pfeiffer put on another.

The see-sawing continued throughout the quarter as both teams took turns penetrating their forward lines.

Josh Benbow goaled for Meningie, but Matt Mundy replied to add another to Rambler’s tally, as did Girardi.

A late goal to Robinson reduced the final margin somewhat, but the Roosters still ran out with a relatively convincing win.

Standouts for the Roosters were Adam Jackson, Matt Thompson, Jarrad Weyland, Patrick O’Neil and Lloyd McIntyre, while for the Bears it was Zac Treloar, Rob Payne, Ryan Mallard, Nathan Wright and Chad Thorpe, who battled hard.

Mannum 17.10 (112)

imperials 10.8 (68)

MANNUM hosted Imperials on Saturday in near perfect conditions for River Murray A grade football, with umpires Brett Lienert and Peter Williams in charge.

In a game of changing fortunes, Mannum turned around a first quarter onslaught by the league leaders, coming back from 32 points down to completely crush their opposition, running out easy winners by 44 points.

It was an amazing turnaround by the Roos, who have consolidated a top three position and seem to be improving with each game as the finals approach.

Mannum had no answer to the brilliant running and teamwork displayed by the Blues in the first term, as they appeared to continually be chasing blue jumpers.

The Roos were excessively over doing the handball, along with some poor delivery to their forwards.

Imps had seven individual goal scorers in the quarter to two by the Roos to lead by 32 points at the first break.

Two early goals to Mannum in the second quarter was followed by a couple of fiery clashes between players.

This seemed to be the catalyst that began the Roos’ revival.

More goals to the Roos to only one by the Blues saw Mannum reduce the margin to nine points by the long break.

The second half was complete dominance by Mannum, as they became relentless with their strong body clashes and tackles.

Imperials had no answer as they unaccustomedly became hesitant and defensive.

They tried flooding tactics, which only made it easier for the Roos to hold the ball in their forward zone.

The Imperial forward lines were non-existent for the majority of the second half, with only their full forward and his opponent visible.

A 10-goal to two second half by Mannum completely demoralised the Blues and their image of being almost unbeatable was blown away completely.

With two defeats in a row the quest for favouritism is wide open.

Imps had many good players in the first half, led by the silky skills of Tyson Wait and the ball finding ability of Daniel Girdham. Ryan Eyre and Ben Quast were good rebounders and Luke Harrowfield was the only forward capable of kicking multiple goals, finishing with three for the game.

For the Roos it was a complete team effort, superbly led by the engine room of Mark Mueller, Justin Maloney and Ben Quinn and Josh Rosenzweig.

Brad Wakefield dominated the ruck and ever improving juniors Zakk Bullard and Levi Krause, along with Steven Thiele and Danny Walker were also contributing to the home side’s cause.

Clive Waterhouse was the catalyst for the turnaround and finished with four goals, once again assisting with several others.

Paul Sarno appears to be shrugging off his injuries and was a major player in the second half.

The Roos’ defence was superbly led by Shane Harte and Chris Rudiger, their task being made easier by the non-existence of the Imps forwards in the second half.

Mannum’s supporters can look forward to a more than a competitive effort by their side for the remainder of this season.