The 124-point thumping puts the side within striking distance of securing a top-two finals berth, while widening the gap between them and the fourth-placed Merimbula Diggers.

Although Tathra was on the road, it didn’t appear to faze them as they played an attractive brand of footy in the opening stanza to set the tone for the rest of the day.

At quarter-time they led by four goals, before blowing the Whalers away in the second quarter to establish a 10-goal lead.

Key forward Brad McBain again led the offensive charge, booting six goals in a dominating performance to take his season tally to 21.

In a glimpse of the future, teenagers Liam Walker-Eastick and Matt May injected youth into the match, showing run and poise through the midfield to each collect best on ground nominations.

May further reinforced his promising talent by drilling home five quality goals to leave Eden’s defence in tatters.

The third quarter was all Tathra’s, piling on seven goals to break the match open while the solid pressure applied by the defence kept the Whalers goalless.

The Sea Eagles continue to gain invaluable service from the O’Loghlin brothers, Ryan and Troy, who provided pace and a touch of class that appeared to lift the efforts of those around them.

The Whalers had nothing but pride to play for in the final term, stepping up their game to limit the damage of the Tathra forward line.

Young Eden star Jake King relished the increased responsibility in this quarter to display his impressive kicking and marking skills to the appreciative home crowd.

Tathra booted a further two goals to none in the final stanza to round out the 18-goal victory.

The Sea Eagles were lifted by the introduction of youth into the game, playing a daring but clever brand of football to break the match wide open.

Their forward line structure continues to relish being based around the hard-leading McBain, while the defensive unit held tight throughout the contest in an impressive showing.

If not for wayward kicking at times, the margin could have been even greater with the side converting less than half of their shots at goal.

If the side can improve their goal kicking accuracy, anything could be possible for them this year.