Imperials 17.13 (115)
Meningie 8.5 (53)
AT Johnstone Park, in wintry conditions, the engine room of Imperials overcame a spirited Meningie outfit, winning by 62 points.
With predictions of a blow out, Meningie set out to prove the critics wrong, taking it up to the Blues in the first few minutes.
Imperials were kicking with a slight breeze and booted the first two goals of the game through Luke Harrowfield and Henry Hodge.
From their early attacks, Meningie were finally rewarded when Brodie Van Den Brink kicked truly.
The ruck work of the Blues’ Josh Charles in the opening quarter was instrumental as the midfield group of Ash Temby, Daniel Girdham and Hodge continually penetrated their forward line.
After a stint in the reserves, Imperials Martin Baillie found some of the footy as he booted three goals for the quarter to set up a 44-point lead at quarter time.
Supporters of both sides would have expected Imperials to continue the onslaught but Meningie came out with intent and to give their opponents a run for their money.
Two goals from Richard Prusa and Mark Turner helped reduce the margin for the Bears but their dominance of the quarter was not resulting in reducing the margin.
Imperials had lapses and blunders including hitting the post from the goal square, further encouraging Meningie’s hopes of victory.
A late goal from Michael Sumner helped his side kick their first goal for the quarter and give them a 42-point lead at the main break.
The third quarter saw Meningie continue to bring Imperials down and at certain stages you would not reckon that one of these sides is battling for top spot. Meningie’s Turner played a great third term as he kicked all of his team’s three goals and took a big hanger to give the visitors a bit of hope.
Trailing by five goals and having the small breeze at their back, Turner’s fourth reduced the margin to less than four goals and started to get the home crowd a little restless.
In the end, Imperials finally started to play the same kind of football they played in the first term as they kicked six unanswered goals to all but wrap up the match.
Best for Imperials was Girdham, who had support from Jason Puiatti and Temby.
Meningie’s better players were Barker, Turner and Evan Smith.
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Rigney on fire as Bluds beat Tigers
Jervois 17.14 (116)
Mypolonga 13.11 (89)
THE Trevor Rigney show rolled on at Jervois Oval on Saturday, when Jervois took on Mypolonga.
By the end of the game Rigney had added another 13 goals to his season tally and had helped the home side to a 27-point victory.
Mypolonga won the toss and kicked to the river end.
They immediately went into attack, only for the Jervois defence to rebound and from the resulting attack Trevor Rigney crumbed the ball and kicked the opening goal.
A reply came from Sam Flinn a few minutes later after which both teams’ physical approach to the game resulted in some scrambly play.
Rigney’s second goal at the 12-minute mark came about after a beautiful pass from Reid Beeching, as Jervois gained control of the game for the next 10 or so minutes.
The Mypolonga defence held firm, keeping Jervois to only minor scores before Peter Zarantonello goaled for Jervois’ third.
Another goal to Rigney after the siren gave the Bluds a 4.5 to 1.3 quarter-time lead.
The second quarter opened with tight physical football from both teams as they tried to wrestle one another to gain ascendancy.
By mid-quarter Rigney had three more goals as Jervois opened up a handy six-goal lead.
Mypolonga attacked only to be denied by a very tight and confident Jervois defence.
Goals to Kieran Jaensch and Paul Anastasiou, for Mypolonga, brought the margin back and by half-time Jervois held a 25-point advantage.
The second half opened with a perfect tap-handball-pass and goal to Jervois - from Rigney.
With Brad Martin being well held, Cameron Wells became Mypolonga’s focal point and he did not disappoint, with two early goals in the quarter.
The third quarter was a more free flowing quarter of football with 13 goals scored, eight to Jervois and five to Mypolonga, but still that man Rigney stood out as he booted six for the quarter.
By three-quarter-time Jervois held a 45-point advantage.
Due to a late start to the game the last quarter didn’t start until 4.45pm and with the lights warming up, Brad Martin kicked two early goals for Mypolonga.
Jervois became a little undisciplined, which resulted in another goal for Mypolonga, before Rigney steadied the ship with his 13th for the day. A goal to David Wallfried for Mypolonga at the 17-minute mark was the last major for the day as both sides went through the motions for the last 10 minutes.
In the end it was a comfortable victory for the home team.
Rigney was the best player on the ground with Beeching at centre half forward, Zarantonello, Zac Ewer and Chris Braun also doing very well.
For Mypolonga, James Pedler played a great captain’s game - tough, hard and fair.
Mark Oborn, Nathan Creaser, John Oxborrow and Cameron Wells were also named in the Tigers best.
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O ’Neil brothers instrumental as Ramblers overcome Eagles
Ramblers 17.17 (119)
Tailem Bend 8.11 (59)
COMING off a good win, Tailem Bend were looking for another over premiership contenders Ramblers, who were looking to retain the position at the top of the ladder after a two week break.
Ramblers prevailed with a comfortable 60-point win in windy conditions.
Tailem Bend won the toss and elected to kick with a stiff breeze.
They began well with the first goal through Wayne Luckett before Ramblers began to get their game going, running the ball out of defence into the breeze.
The O’Neil brothers, Liam and Patrick, were dominating, getting the ball in quickly to the tall timber in Ryan Morris, Adam Jackson and Clint Girardi.
Ramblers would have been greater if not for Mathew Linke and Mitchell Vickers’ defensive work in the back half.
Morris kicked his fourth early in the second term and signs looked very ominous for Tailem Bend.
Michael Thomas kicked his first for the day before Patrick O’Neil sliced through the defence for his first goal as the gap increased to 38 points at half time.
Girardi took two big marks and converted to have the Roosters all but home.
Thomas had other ideas with a spectacular goal from deep in the pocket.
Anthony Gregurke followed with one of his own before the Roosters hit back just before the final break.
The scores at three-quarter-time were Ramblers 13.12 to Tailem Bend 6-8.
Ramblers kicked the first two goals of the last quarter and should have buried the Eagles, but inaccuracy in front of goal hurt them.
Thomas booted his fourth, making it a good day personally for him.
Full time scores were Ramblers 17.17 to Tailem bend 8.11.
Best for the victors were the O’Neil brothers, Troy Cowland, Ty Pfeiffer and Morris with six goals.
For the Eagles, Vickers, Dylan Hogarth, Damien Raidis and Adam Robertson were in the best, and Matthew Krueger fought back well on Morris after a miserable first half.
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