FEDERAL'S premiership ambitions got a big boost on Saturday night when they crushed reigning CAFL premier Rovers by 88 points in their Round 12 clash at Traeger Park.
The Demons ran all over a Rovers side that had six players pull out of the side on the 75th anniversary of the Central Australian league.
Federal coach Isaac Ankers was thrilled with the 20.14 (134) to 6.10 (46) win on such an important milestone for the Alice Springs competition.
"A confidence boosting win like that on such a massive game for Alice footy sets us up well for the last month of the season,'' Ankers said.
"It came after a big win on the track where the players were totally focused and that showed out on the ground.''
Ankers pointed to four quarter performances by ruckman Daniel Gorry, defender Patrick Coffey and Sam Laporta up forward as keys to the big win that shot the Demons into third position on the league ladder.
Marcus McDonald and Jesiah Minor both kicked seven goals in the rout, while Travis Smith helped himself to three.
Rovers coach Danny Measures was impressed with Federal's intensity and smart use of the football.
"Feds had some really good ins and made us pay after we entered the match without a lot of regular players,'' Measures said.
"It's been a vastly interrupted season for us, some good moments mixed in with some indifferent performances in the league's 75th year.''
Pioneer moved to second on the league ladder after a five-goal win over bottom side Wests.
Ruck pair Tyson Woodbury and Josh Williams were prime movers for the green and golds, along with Shawn Foster and Pioneer's Tennant Creek recruit Laughlin Lake.
Veteran Eagle Steven "Weeties'' Hayes made a surprise re-appearance at league level for Pioneer after some late player withdrawals and impressed with his hand and foot skills at the highest level.
In women's football Rovers maintained their position at the top of the ladder with a comprehensive 49-point win over early season pacesetters Alkamilya in Friday night's return to Traeger Park.
The Double Blues booted 10 goals without a miss after quarter time to run away from their rivals, full forward Delsey AhWang kicking six goals at full forward to cap off the good work of Anju Goninon through the middle.
Michelle Sliwinski was another good contributor at centre half-back as the blue jumpers ran their opponents ragged.
Coach Warren Lally said his players were running into form at the right time of year after a slow start to the season.
"Being back at Traeger Park has been a positive for us with our speed and skill sets suited to the wide open spaces,'' he added.
