Demolition Day at the Alma
By Ben Sheffield
South 6.1 (37) 10.4 (64) 19.7 (121) 25.9 (159)
Central 1.2 (8) 2.6 (18) 3.6 (24) 5.10 (40)
South have reminded the competition that they are the team to beat, after an emphatic 119 point victory over Central at the Alma Oval on Saturday.
The 25.9 (159) to 5.10 (40) victory was the Roos' second resounding win in as many weeks and their ninth consecutive victory.
The result also represented the largest score and winning margin of any side this season.
South kicked 23 of the last 27 goals in the match, an effort that would have surely impressed former Carlton champion, Anthony Koutoufides, who was watching on as part of South's Old Timers weekend.
It took just 35 seconds for Marcus O'Brien to post the opening goal of the game, giving South a lead, which they did not surrender all afternoon.
The skill level in the first half lacked at times, largely due to a strong, swirling breeze which was wreaking havoc with the disposal of both teams.
Bill Dolan was heavily involved in the game early, taking charge in the midfield and proving a real handful for his direct opponent, Jake Gepp.
By quarter time, South had already opened up a 29 point lead and alarm bells would have been ringing for the Magpies.
South continued to build their lead throughout the second quarter, with their greater numbers and intensity evident at most contests.
A couple of injury scares took a little of the shine off during the second quarter for South, with Bill Dolan hyper extending his knee and Dylan Stuart suffering from a hamstring complaint.
Dolan returned to the game, albeit a little proppy, while Stuart's ability to play next week could be in some doubt.
By half time, the margin had opened up to 46 points and the signs were ominous.
The news got progressively worse for Central, with the Roos finding another gear and embarking on a nine goal to one, third quarter rampage.
Worse still for the Magpies, were injuries sustained by Brenton Zanette, who took no further part in the game after dislocating his finger in the third term and Digby Schinckel who spent the second half off the field with an injured hamstring.
Jordan Holmes was dominating in the ruck and South's midfielders including O'Brien, Purcell and Hardy were feasting on his tap work to advantage.
Nick Brown, was also very impressive in his A-grade debut for South, running and tackling hard, as well as kicking a goal.
A 97 point three quarter time margin grew to as much as 125 points in the final quarter, before a Central goal at the death dragged the deficit back to 119 points on the final siren.
For Central, the positives were few and far between, however, the experienced Paul Christie and Jarrad Paull were as reliable as ever.
Junior Lachlan Jenkin also continues to impress, playing at both under 18 and senior level each week.
Despite the magnitude of the win, South coach, Robert Hickey, thought his team took a while to warm into the game.
"I thought we played really well in the second half, in the first half we were a bit off in a few areas, but we spoke about them at half time and corrected them."
But Hickey was pleased with how prolific his forward line was.
"25 goals is the most we've scored in a while.
"The options we've got are really pleasing, in the past we've struggled a bit in that area, but now we've got a number of guys who we know we can throw in there and we know can do the job."
Central coach, Justin Heath, cited his team's skill level as the most disappointing aspect of their performance.
"It was our disposal that really let us down today.
"We made a lot of mistakes and that really cost us, a few of them cost us goals directly."
The fact does remain though, that Central is a young and inexperienced side, who could enjoy long term success in the years to come.
"A lot of our guys are doing year 12 this year, I don't know how many of them are uni-bound, so I guess what our team looks like next year will depend on that a bit.
"But if we can keep our team, or most of it, together, we are heading in the right direction I think," Heath said.
Next week, South will travel to the Jubilee Oval to take on the second placed North, who have found some form in the past fortnight.
In the other game, Central will battle it out with a depleted West at the Memorial Oval
Goals:
South: B. Jones 5, Purcell 4, Corey 4, Dolan 2, Hardy 2, Stuart, Caldwell, Brown, M. O'Brien, L. Jones, Staker, Higgins, Judd
Central: Montgomery 2, Torney 2, Rhodes
Best Players:
South: Purcell, Hardy, M O'Brien, Holmes, B. Jones, Mackiewicz
Central: Paull, Christie, Jenkin, Jelbert, Torney, Rhodes
Last Modified on 06/08/2012 18:42