Despite the absence of veteran forward Vaughan Coveny, South ran riot, managing 5 separate goal scorers against insipid opposition.
Gianni De Nittis got the game’s opening goal after excellent work by Francesco Stella on the right wing.
Goran Zoric doubled South’s lead while defender Rhodri Payne scored after an excellent ran took him away from his more familiar left back position.
Though the match was over as a contest at only half time, South burst out of the blocks, virtually scoring from the second half kick-off as Josef Yusef scored from a header.
Captain Rama Tavsancioglu scored South’s fifth goal as it appeared South were in for a record night.
Preston managed to score two consolation goals before De Nittis put the final nail in the coffin with South’s sixth goal and his second.
South Melbourne leap-frogged Heidelberg into third place on the table after the Bergers lost 1-0 at Sunshine Georgies.
Oakleigh Cannons could only manage a 0-0 draw at home to third bottom Melbourne Knights.
Preston is bottom of the table with just one point from 14 matches and having conceded a whopping 56 goals.
Meanwhile, sources close to South Melbourne have confirmed that a new co-tenancy stadium deal is close to being finalised.
The State Government is believed to be keen to retain South Melbourne as a long-term anchor tenant to BJS, recognising South’s contribution to the Albert Park precinct.
The BJS redevelopment will provide future benefit to the SMFC and ensure they remain a vibrant and active partner in the co-tenancy and South has been fully supportive of the BJS redevelopment.