FREELING’S stunning start to the season continued on Saturday as it crushed fierce rival Kapunda by eight goals in Barossa, Light & Gawler A-grade football to claim the Mickan-Shanahan Cup.

The Redlegs got off to a terrific start, with recruit Michael O’Malley continuing his sensational form.

The Bombers fought hard early on, but trailed by eight points at the first change.

Their task was made harder after they lost defender Kallum Brown to a shoulder injury for the match.

Kapunda ruckman Henry Smith was battling hard with his opponent Adam Cockshell, and his midfielders began to find first use of the pill in the second stanza.

Brad Prior and Matt Stent were kicking away, and the Bombers led by three goals at half-time.

However, the tide turned after the break as the Legs booted 7.7 to 1.2 in the third quarter, and surged away to a 23-point lead heading into the last term.

Freeling continued to sink the boot in and kicked another 5.3 to 1.2 in the final stanza to secure a massive victory.

O’Malley took home the Mark Pitman Medal as best on ground, while Cockshell, Ben Heinrich and Brady Scott kicked 10 goals between them.

Kapunda coach Dave Leslie was disappointed by the lack of a four-quarter effort.

“We were excellent in the first half, going in without a ruckman with (Aaron) Whistler out, we thought the midfield is where it’ll be won or lost,” he said.

“In the lead-up to the game, we knew it would have to take four quarters against them.

“We were disappointed with the margin, but our third quarter was horrendous.”

With Whistler out for up to two months and uncertainty over Adam Turrell’s fitness, regular B-grade ruckman Henry Smith, who played on Saturday, is the next in line.

However, Leslie confirmed his side will try to look for available players externally to fill the void, but it may be difficult.

“We sure will, but we’ve got no points left,” he said.

“In saying that, the ruck part of it, Cockshell wasn’t dominant there.

“Henry Smith did a great job, and personally I would’ve had him in our top six.

“We won the stoppages in the first half.”

Leslie also praised midfielder Josh Hand’s performance for Freeling.

“That was one of the best individual performances I’ve coached against,” he said.

The Redlegs will now enjoy a week off with the bye, while the Bombers host South Gawler.

“I think we match up against them (South),” Leslie said.

“Freeling have bigger bodies in the midfield and that’s what got us.

“(South’s) on-ballers aren’t as powerful (as Freeling’s).

“I’m confident there were heaps of good signs out of last week, hopefully we can get a couple of blokes back.”