MALLALA announced itself as a genuine premiership contender after defeating Hummocks-Watchman by 21 points at Lochiel Oval in Adelaide Plains A-grade football on Saturday.
The Magpies set the standard early, and surged to a 25-point quarter-time lead.
Josh Seal was looking the goods, as was Toby Maughan as the Eagles had no answers.
Mallala extended its lead at halftime to 32 points, and looked set to hold onto second place on the APFL ladder.
Despite the Eagles hitting back in the third term, the Magpies still extended their lead to 35 points at the final change.
Angus Bruggemann finished with four goals for Mallala, while Brian Montgomery and Troy Algar kicked two each.
Joe Murdock slotted four majors for the Eagles.
Elsewhere, reigning premier Two Wells flexed its muscles by smashing a poor Angle Vale by 208 points.
The Roosters kicked 16 first half goals to the Owls’ two to lead by 94 points at half-time.
Angle Vale couldn’t contain the defending champs, as it conceded a further 20 goals to two after the main break.
Caleb Edmead slotted 11 majors, making it 32 goals in his last three games and 72 for the season.
Ty Hocking chipped in with seven, while Ned Seccafien, Michael Abdilla and Josh Osborne finished with three each.
For the Owls, Jay Rathmann was the only multiple goal-kicker with two.
Meanwhile, Virginia defeated Hamley Bridge by 140 points.
The Rams took some time to get started, but led by 58 points at halftime.
They then booted 15 goals to three after half-time to finish the rout.
Brendon Niklaus enjoyed the day out with seven snags, while Dylan Jessen added five.
However, the Bombers seem to have found a forward in Brad Claxton, who kicked five majors in the loss, taking his tally to 12 in just five games.
Finally, Balaklava has all but put an end to United’s finals hopes, winning by 89 points.
The Peckers were in goal-kicking form and marched away to a 39-point lead at half-time, having booted 13 goals to seven in the opening half.
However, it was after the main break where they really found their mojo, slotting 11 goals to four to blow the margin out considerably.
Jason McPharlin and Shane Moss kicked seven goals each, while Tom Chapman kicked three.
For the Tigers, Jesse Potts was impressive with six, and and Travis Beard booted three.
