The Bloods celebrated a hat-trick of 100-plus point victories, but this win on home turf at the Queen Elizabeth Oval was the most significant as it was the battle between first and second.

Although they did not gain “first place” by winning the round seven clash, South’s ethos of “get in first” stunned the Storm every quarter.

Bloods’ coach Rick Coburn said the team’s desperation at the contest was outstanding.

“All week we spoke about being first in at the contest, pressure, and workrate.

“Today was an excellent performance,” Coburn said.

“Storm is a great side, which if allowed to carry the ball and link up can really hurt you.

“It was important we won the ball first and dictated play from there.”

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South’s onball brigade was led brilliantly by captain Brady Childs and Daniel Anderson, while key forwards Michael Leech, eight goals, Glenn Scholtes and Shaun Dwyer capitalised on the Bloods’ dominance at centre ball-ups and stoppages.

Storm’s inaccuracy, especially in the first quarter, proved costly as the match went on.

The Storm did the majority of the attacking in the first, but a tally of 2.9 did not put anywhere near as much heat on as they could have.

As Storm wasted chances, Alex Galea showed them how it was done with the goal-of-the-day on the run from an acute angle in the View Street-side pocket at the city end.

The Bloods blitzed in the second.

Six unanswered goals included the first of five by Steven Stroobants after an excellent tackle.

The elusive Galea goaled on the run to cap teamwork by Stroobants and Leech across half-forward.

By the long break South led by 37 points.

In just his second season of football and first at South after crossing from YCW, Shaun Dwyer’s snapshot rolled through a pack to bring up the Bloods 10th goal.

The run was ended when Storm’s Matt Smith goaled on the run in the fifth minute of the third term.

A hat-trick of Leech goals included a karate-style leap and toepoke on the line after Dwyer burst through a pack and kicked long.

A Jye Sandiford snap and another by Leech pushed the margin beyond 60 points before Sam Mildren kicked his second after a rare mark inside 50m for Storm.

It rained goals in the last as the Bloods added another 10, while Storm’s two were off Mildren’s boot.

Coburn praised the play of Daniel Nalder against the dangerous Mildren, while Michael Tonkin kept Lachlan Sharp goalless.

No. 1 ruckman Ben Allen did not play in the second half after injuring his left shoulder in the second term.

The high-leaping Rory Alexander, who has played back-up ruckman all season, impressed again.

Strathfieldsaye coach Darryl Wilson said South’s relentless pressure was the best he had seen this season.

“Their work at stoppages and when they didn’t have the ball was excellent. They dominated the midfield clearances. We were given a lesson today in what pressure footy is all about.”

Strathfieldsaye Storm captain Shannon Geary took no further part in the match after injuring his left AC joint in the second quarter.