The Southerners struck the back of the net 11 times during the rout and could well have scored 11 more, with the hosts generating a multitude of chances in the final third during the game.
“They had a predominantly under-18 side, who are second on the ladder at the moment, but in the first 15 minutes we probably looked like the under-18s side,” Shepparton South coach Gino Saracino said.
“We sat down at half-time and asked the boys how they wanted to play and in the second half we were in complete control of the game.”
Goal machine Joel Aitken was at the races for the Southerners, blasting four home in the first half, while Kieryn McKemmish, Zac Tyson and Shaun Kane joined in on the act to send the hosts into the sheds at 7-0 up.
With both hands planted firmly on the wheel, South cruised through the second stanza adding another three to its tally before Aitken notched his fifth to seal the win and go atop the golden boot charts alongside Strathdale’s Daniel Purdy on 23 goals.
The Southerners are set to meet Moama-Echuca in the first round of the Super Cup and should be confident in progressing after laying waste to the Border Raiders 6-0 in round 18.
At Beischer Park, Shepparton United went where no other side in the competition has ventured this season by ticking Strathdale off its hit list, blemishing its unbeaten record.
Falling at the hands of the Bendigo-based outfit earlier in the year in a 4-2 thriller, United’s form reached its pinnacle on Sunday with the 1-0 victory capping a successful finish to the season after stringing a number of wins together in recent weeks.
Ardit Gavri’s 67th minute strike proved to be the only separation between the sides and with the win sending United above Shepparton South, the Blues are on course to face Tatura this weekend in a knockout clash.