A seven-goal third quarter assured the Demons of comfortable victory over a dogged Roopena side last Friday night at Bennett Oval.
Umpires Sleep and Churchett were in control, a large crowd was in attendance in what was a perfect night for football.
The game opened up fast and furious, both sides had come to play.
It was not until the five-mnute mark when South scored the first goal.
Good play from Baker resulted in a Wilson goal - Roos where quick to reply Hannaman to Elliot the Roos had their first.
Both sides were defending well.
Roos’ Manfield was dominating the rucks, Fiebig and Cook were on top in the midfield, the Roos attacked for no reward.
Then at the 17-minute mark Manfield took a spectacular one-handed mark under intense pressure to goal.
The first quarter had been an even affair the match up of speedsters Burgess and Wilson was a keen contest.
Quarter time scores Roos 2.2, South 1.3.
The second quarter started with Roopena full of run, Laube goaled at the two-minute mark, the Demons not to be denied pushed forward - Reid took a great mark to goal.
The game ebbed and flowed, both sides having forward opportunities both sides being denied by silly options and good defensive work.
South broke the goal drought with a superb passage of team football, Sims to Page to McIntosh to Jonker resulted in a goal once again the game was tied up.
Both midfields were working hard Jimmy Martin was a tireless worker for the Demons as was Cook for the Roos.
McIntosh was starting to come into the game for South.
Roos went forward, Cook missed an easy goal but made amends 30 seconds later goaling after a clever handball from Justin Grund.
The game was a tight struggle and a good spectacle to watch, however silly forward line options for South assured the dugout wall got a good workout from the South coach.
Half-time scores Roos 4.4, South 4.6.
Just who would break the shackles? The third quarter started with both clubs attacking.
At the four-minute mark Souths McIntosh produced a touch of magic, which resulted in a goal to Buckskin. Roos responded immediately through Manfield, game tied once again.
Ryan Baker who had been useful all night produced an inspirational goal beating four opponents to calmly slot a goal, but the Roos refused to go away - a neat goal from Burgess and game on once again.
What happened in the next 13 minutes of football can only be described as a South blitz.
Baker goaled then 30 seconds later the mercurial Colson produced a miracle goal.
Roopena had gone from three points down to 15 points down in a space of one minute, the biggest margin of the game.
South got the scent of Roo blood and went in for the kill. They lifted all over the ground.
McIntosh imposed himself on the game as only he can do Sultan continued to work hard for the Demons, their one touch football was sadly pleasing to watch.
Buckskins goaled then McIntosh stretched the lead to 28 points and a goal on the siren, the Demons had well and truly broken free.
The final quarter was an even affair Roopena had the ball in their forward 50 on numerous occasions but plain dumb choices denied them of scoring opportunities.
South launched many attacks from their backlines to hit the Roos on the rebound. They would go on to score three more goals to Roopena’s one to run out comfortable winners 14.13 to 7.10.
In summary, South won because they had a forward line that took their opportunities more than Roopena, three goals to Buckskins and four to Colson was a valuable contribution in the context of this game.
The midfield was a good contest Roos had the better of the first half - South had the better of the second.
Roopena were best served by Manfield, Zucker, Hannaman, Cook, Durdin, K. Grund.
South best were Martin, Sultan, Baker, Sims, Phillips and Jonker.
Venue change: Roopena and North have agreed to play next weeks ANZAC Day game at Memorial Oval, not at Bennett Oval as per program, so all patrons and footballers please take note.
The reason being that the Memorial Oval gates are the place of rememberance for our war fallen, it makes good sense.
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