WITH two rounds still to play in the Adelaide Plains Football League season, Bute became the first team to guarantee its place in the finals after a home 11.13 (79) to 5.7 (37) win against Angle Vale.
The Owls again started the game well, which has been a theme all year, to lead by five points at the first break.
However, as its 1-6 record suggests, things tend to break down the longer the game goes, and the Roosters hit back well in the second quarter, kicking 4.4 to 1.0.
With the breeze at its back, Angle Vale trimmed the margin to 14 points heading into the last, but Bute sailed home comfortably, conceding only one point in the fourth quarter to finish up the 42-point win.
Bute president Jarrad Cock said he was chuffed with the performance on the weekend from all grades, but he understands the road to a flag is going to be anything but easy.
“We still had a few out but we did quite well I thought,” he said.
“It was fantastic to see some of our local lads really step up again – Luke McCauley had heaps of the ball and for mine was our best player, and Ben Price was probably just behind him which was great to see.
“We’ve now cemented our spot at the top (of the ladder), which we’re very wary of because there’s some sides who have come very good late, so we know there’s stiff competition ahead of us.”
Virginia needed a percentage boost against Hamley Bridge to shore up its finals campaign, and it did so with an 18-goal second half to blow out a 27.14 (176) to 8.7 (55).
After a 45-0 opening quarter from the Rams, the game was never in doubt, with the Bombers kicking six of their eight goals in the last period.
Virginia coach Denis Eaton said he’s encouraged to see the way his side is playing with finals rapidly approaching.
“The pleasing thing was we started well and finished well,” he said.
“Big Brendan Niklaus kicked a lazy nine goals and Ben Russell was relentless in the middle.
“We’ve got the week off this week to reset and get a couple of our first-18 ready for finals.

“We’ve come along in leaps and bounds as a unit this year and I’m sure if it was a full season, our best footy would've been in the back of the year, so I’m confident our best is yet to come.”
United’s finals hunt took a massive blow after it failed to capitalise on a 26-15 first quarter to eventually go down to the visiting Mallala 7.12 (54) to 12.11 (83).
Through the next two quarters, the Tigers kicked 1.8 and that inaccuracy was the difference in the game as the Magpies opened up a 22-point lead heading into the fourth term.
United can jump right back into the thick of things next week with a win when Bute comes to town, but a loss would spell the end of its finals chances.