The 10.11 (71) to 4.9 (33) result put that gulf into figures although both coaches were swift to comment that the gap between second and third is even bigger.

Sam Lonergan found plenty of positives for his developing Blues team, pointing out that he had fielded five 17-year-olds with 19-year-olds Brodie Palfreyman and Simon Vandervelde among his best players and the club having five in the Mariners group.

He also felt ​Hamish Leedham had won the ruck contest and even at just 21 deserved to land the job for the state team.

“It’s disappointing to lose like that on your home ground but we played against a quality side,” he said. “Three AFL experienced players and another four or five with consistent state representative sides is hard to come up against, but we had a crack.

“I still believe this footy club is in a fantastic spot and couldn’t be prouder of what the players and clubs are working towards.”

Expertly marshalled by Ian Callinan, Jeromey Webberley’s Roos dominated an often scrappy affair at a deceptively chilly Windsor Park.

The Brett Lee-length run-up of Michael Blackburn (three goals) and quality of Callinan’s former Adelaide teammate Sam Siggins (two) led the scoring as the Roos hopped further ahead at each change.

They could even make do without Aiden Grace who limped away from celebrating the second goal of the match with a sore ankle and played no further part.

Wasted opportunities saw the Blues register five behinds before finally finding their first major just as it looked like they may go through the first half goalless.

Sonny Whiting finished with a couple but was largely kept quiet by Jason Bailey who had done a similarly impressive job on Mitch Thorp last week.

In Sunday’s other State League fixture, reigning premier Glenorchy inflicted a 20.22 (142) to 2.6 (18) hiding on Burnie at West Park.