Meningie 5.6 (36)

IN perfect football conditions, Ramblers asserted their authority upon league cellar-dwellers Meningie with a 170-point thrashing at the Lakeside oval on Saturday.

The Roosters started the ball rolling with Liam and Patrick O’Neil both goaling early.

However, Meningie lifted with goals to Andrew Cunneen and Luke Trevorrow which saw the Bears in front, but only briefly.

Cue a Rambler 20-goal to three onslaught, starting with one to Ryan Morris, followed soon after by Adam Jackson.

Another goal to Liam O’Neil saw Ramblers up by 19-points at the first change.

There was no letting up from here on in, with Troy Cowland opening the major scoring for Ramblers in the second quarter.

Morris bagged himself another, as did Patrick O’Neil.

Ramblers’ Ben Dougall, the 16-year-old boy wonder, kicked his first to extend the lead.

After numerous shots at goal, it was Dougall again with another goal, followed closely by his captain Mark Marchetti.

Adam Bettineschi provided a glimmer of hope for the Bears, with a goal at the 23-minute mark, but that hope was short lived as Patrick O’Neil and Dougall both kicked their third goals.

This saw the Roosters head into the rooms at the long break with a 62-point buffer.

Meningie got the half-time blues in the third quarter, as they did not score at all, which seems to be a common occurrence, no matter how the half-time message comes across from coach ‘Bomber’ Gibbs.

If you thought the Roosters were travelling nicely thus far, think again.

It only took a minute after the break for the young gun Dougall to put through his fourth, with Liam O’Neill goaling his third not long after.

Cowland kicked his second, followed quickly by another one to Dougall.

After a couple of minors being added it was Cowland again, nailing his third for the game and second for the quarter, with Jackson following suit and posting his second major for the game.

Dougall continued to be a major headache for the Meningie defence, putting through his third for the quarter and sixth for the game.

After a rare break in scoring, the Roosters resumed their rampant scoring with Morris hammering home his third, Dougall with his seventh and Jarrod Sykes sending home his third, putting Ramblers up by more than 20 goals at three quarter time.

Ramblers’ coach Anthony Weyland had the luxury of resting some of his star players in Daniel Zadow and Ryan Viney for the last quarter.

However, the scoring was opened by Meningie’s Rhys Smart, who nailed his first for the game.

Again, Ramblers responded in the most brutal of ways, with Morris scoring two in a row, as well as the child prodigy Dougall putting through his eighth goal for the game.

The Bears nearly had another when Mark Turner hit the post, but the Roosters were able to capitalise from the kick-out and get it to Morris, who hammered home his third for the quarter.

Meningie responded to this quickly with Michael Greenwood posting a major, but aside from another minor score, that was it from them.

Tyson Matthews put through his first and Patrick O’Neil put through his fourth and his fifth not long after.

Greg Stevens ended the major scoring with a goal at the 27-minute mark, followed by a couple more minor scores and then the siren.

It was a welcome relief for Meningie in what can only be described as an absolute thumping and to rub salt into the wounds the woes continue with make-shift full forward Luke Trevorrow coming off during the course of the game with a severe shoulder injury.

In a team full of worthy contributors, best for Ramblers were Adam Jackson, Ben Dougall, Mark Marchetti, Ty Pfeiffer and Trent Paech, and for the Bears it was Jack Lewis, Chris Lawson, Andrew Cunneen and Greg and Tim Saddlier who battled hard all day.

Congratulations to A grade debutante Joe Gibbs, who fought well in defence for Meningie, despite the Rooster blitz.

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Jervois punish Mannum

Jervois 27.11 (173)

Mannum 9.9 (63)

MANNUM played host to Jervois before a large crowd, with both sides desperate for a win to improve their position on the premiership ladder.

In perfect conditions Mannum had the use of a slight wind advantage, but it wasn’t long before the inexperienced Roos defence was under siege.

A nine goal to one first term ended any hope of the undermanned home side being competitive for the rest of the game.

Three goals each to Jervois’ Mick Moller and Zac Ewer set the pattern for a dominating first term.

Todd Boughen was the only Roo forward to score a major as the reigning premiers bolted to a massive 46 point advantage at quarter time.

The second and third terms were a much more even affair as Mannum’s Andrew Warnest, Justin Maloney and Josh Rosenzweig lifted their games to prevent any further blowout at three-quarter-time, as the Bluds led comfortably by 58 points.

A competitive last term by Mannum would have had their supporters reasonably happy with their young side, but this did not eventuate as a replica of the first term unfolded.

Jervois was rampant with Jason Bayliss completely dominating the hit outs and Brad Schmidt and Steven Braun feeding the fast-leading Trevor Rigney who, with a five-goal last term, finished with eight for the match. A dominant nine-goal final quarter by the Bluds had them running out comfortable winners by 110 points.

For the victors, Zac Ewer, Brad Schmidt and Steven Braun were outstanding, Trevor Rigney could have easily kicked more than his eight goals, and Mick Moller had a field day with five goals for the game.

Ruckmen Jason Bayliss and Kieran Hill dominated the second half to expose the lack of big man strength for the Roos.

Mannum again relied on an outstanding display from Andrew Warnest, arguably best on ground, consistent efforts from Justin Maloney and Ben Quinn once again and an encouraging display from new player Paul Sarno.

Youngster Daniel Thiele had an outstanding game across half-back to be the best of the many young Roos players.

Perhaps the only downside to the Bluds big win was the injury to coach Sam Mahony, who crashed heavily and appeared to be in a lot of pain.

Mannum desperately need the return of several of their more experienced players if they are to be competitive for the rest of the season.

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Imperials maul Tailem Bend

Imperials 33.14 (212)

Tailem Bend 7.11 (53)

ON a beautiful day for football Tailem Bend took on the unbeaten Imperials at home and turned in a very disappointing performance.

The Eagles started well with two early goals, but missed chances to gain a lead and paid the price.

Luke Harrowfield, Martin Ballie and Matthew Kowald were unstoppable in Imperials’ forward area with minimal midfield pressure from Tailem allowing for precise delivery from Daniel Girdham, Henry Hodge and Roger Puckridge. The Blues piled on 14 goals to Tailem’s two before the first break.

A 63-point margin saw the game over as a contest and the Eagles trying to salvage some pride. Imperials continued to dominate early in the second stanza with two more quick goals and Tailem Bend had no answers to Imperials’ run and smart ball use.

The Eagles could not find a way into the forward 50 and when they did their skills let them down.

Ashley Bastian and Mitchell Vickers provided a goal each for Tailem Bend late in the half before another to Kowald gave the Blues a 99-point lead at half time.

Jason Burgoyne booted a goal for Tailem, only for Harrowfield to reply immediately.

Matthew Dent squeezed through a goal for the Eagles, and once again the Blues quickly responded through Brent Canaway, before Anthony Gregurke slotted Tailem’s third for the quarter.

Despite the difference on the scoreboard, there was still plenty of feeling between the sides with numerous scraps.

Imperials finished off an impressive display with a seven goal to nil final quarter.

Tailem Bend was never in the hunt after being blown off the park in the first quarter.

The full time scores - Imperials 33.14 to Tailem Bend 7.11 - told the story.

Best for Imperials were Ryan Eyre in defence, Hodge in the middle and Harrowfield for his six majors, while Ballie (six goals) and Kowald (five goals) also provided a target.

For Tailem, Adam Wilkey was the only winner, but Matthew Krueger and Derek Williams provided some sort of resistance, and Matthew Linke battled hard all day on Baillee was clearly undersized.

Tailem Bend have plenty of work in front of them to up a good performance against Mypolonga in the next round, and Imperials look in good form for their clash with Mannum.