WITH Andrew North and Aaron Castley missing Lincoln South smashed the Rangers in every aspect of the game at Centenary Oval on Saturday.
With Levi Smith out with a back problem the Rangers promoted Leroy Wheadon to play his first A grade game for the year, and he proved the selectors right as he was easily their best player, using his years of experience, which in the backlines, was sorely missing against the Eagles.
Eagles players John Sinclair and Jaden Stoetzer caused problems with their strong marking early. Sinclair took a strong mark in the square but unfortunately missed a shot at goal while at the other end Boyd West, after receiving a free, also missed and it wasn't till the 15-minute mark that Stoetzer read the ball better off the pack and snapped a goal.
Brooks and Jericho had a great duel early in the game, while Dale King and Brayden Traeger pushed the ball forward, but South were off line shooting for goal.
With 3-3 on the board South could have been further in front after the first quarter except for being off line while the Rangers could muster only two points.
Jesse Kemp started controlling the ruck in the second quarter and with two early misses at goal Souths were attacking hard through Cummings, Williams and King.
The Rangers, on the other hand, were indecisive and too slow with their ball movement allowing Souths to flood back.
After a great tackle by Sam Kidney, Sinclair got the ball on to Dunn who kicked his first of two for the quarter.
With a free down the ground to Brooks showed his class for the Rangers with a clever crumbling goal, their first goal 10 minutes into the quarter.
At half time South had a comfortable lead 6-6 to 1-2.
South started the third quarter with Dylan Dunn asserting his influence up forward, King repeatedly gathering kicks and Kane Hancock being creative with his handballs as the Eagles were attacking hard.
Todd Owen used his pace to get the ball up forward for the Rangers but they were repeatedly repelled by the Eagles backs in Bellenger, Rodda and Kemp, who was playing a loose man role.
Hancock's creative play once again came to the fore as he got the ball to Stoetzer who goaled. Within 30 seconds Williams got the ball out of the centre to Dunn who goaled.
Dunn should have got another as right on the three quarter time siren he marked but was wayward with the kick.
Despite having the majority of play, South could manage only four goals for the quarter out of eight shots for goal.
The Rangers started the last quarter attacking but their wayward kicking once again let them down.
Finally, with a series of good passing and handball they got the ball to Mick Sargeant who kicked truly for the Ranger's second goal.
This snapped South out of a lull as Jericho and Hill combined to get the ball to Hancock, who kicked a deserving goal.
Rodd and Cocks were good for South in this quarter as they got the ball up to King, Cummings and Dunn for the Eagles to slam on five goals for the quarter, Dunn scoring his sixth goal for the match.
Two 50-metre penalties allowed the Rangers to get the ball up to Sargeant and he kicked his second for the game.
South were still attacking when the final siren went to see them run out easy winners by a huge 80 points.
Dale King was brilliant for the Eagles, whether in the centre or around the ground with is fearless attack on the ball. Dylan Dunn kicked six but could have got more as he gave a couple away and missed a couple he would normally get. Kemp and Cummings picked up numerous kicks.
Rodda once again repelled the Rangers from his half back flank and Kane Hancock, who is an improving footballer, was amongst the best of the rest for South.
The Rangers, on the other hand, had one player who won his position, which was Leroy Wheadon in a fantastic return to A grade football for this popular player at Marble Range.
Chris Brooks ran himself into the ground as did Damion Scott who has repeatedly done this during the year.
Charmon, Doudle and Todd Owen tried hard all day.
Thanks to South for a great night, great meals, great company and a good band to top the night off, well done.
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