GSFL 2024: Albany destined for minor premiership, Railways enter top two & impressive victory for North Albany

Reigning premiers Albany claimed a tense victory in the battle of the top two sides on Saturday, wih their win over the Royals all but guaranteeing the minor premiership and a home second semifinal. In the annual Retravision Stadium derby, the Sharks and Lions both made several changes coming in but it was the Sharks that held off a late challenge to win by 10 points in round 13 of the Great Southern Football League. With star ruckman Brock Higgins and midfielder David Parker among five changes, the Lions started superbly in the fast first quarter as Nic Ashford and Jordan Hulm snuck in two goals before the Sharks blinked. The surprise of the early majors wore off quickly, with the Sharks kicking their defence into gear and locking for a fight. Harvey Taylor and Lewis Bosch worked hard to cut off the Lions’ forward supply. The Lions led by seven points at quarter time but the Sharks came into the second period swinging. Both sides executed clean, precise manoeuvres at rapid-fire pace in the stoppage heavy game, with neither side willing to give an inch. Inclusions Taylor, Isaac Baum, Aiden Clark and State country player Bailey Taylor significantly strengthened the Sharks and successive goals from Matt Martin, Brett Peake and Taj Williams had them back in front by the long break. The Lions kept fighting through Nathan Powell and Ashford, who had some chances on goal, and despite a late Ryan Lazar goal they trailed by seven at the long break. Energy flagged in the second half, with both sides ramping up the desperation but losing accuracy. An early scrabble at the posts left the Lions with a goal, quickly followed by a stunning set-shot from Brock Anning. The Sharks moved the ball well from defence to attack without much reward before the Lions snapped back things back in their favour with goals from Ashford and then Jaiden Alison on the three-quarter time siren. The Lions were revved up after the last break and they got back-to-back majors from Seb Stanton and a rise in energy. After a few attempts, Anning stuck to his guns and secured another goal for the Sharks to tie the scores 16 minutes in. The drawn score had both sides feeling the pressure and the midfield battle became crucial. After temporarily losing a trampled Jake Shepherd to the blood rule, a final boot from Peake clawed Sharks to their 11th win of the season, 8.12 (60) to 7.8 (50). Clark, Kane Pinney, Harry Hordacre and Marlin Bennett were superb for the Sharks while Peake, Anning and Williams kicked two majors each. On the Lions’ side, Powell, Declan McNamara, David Parker and Corey Linthorne shone brightly. Railways have pushed themselves inside the top two heading into the final fortnight of the regular season after downing Mt Barker impressively on the road on Saturday. The Tigers have won their past four games, including victories over top four teams the Lions and now the Bulls in the past fortnight. The Bulls kicked three of the first five goals as they looked to reclaim third spot on the ladder from their opponents. However, the Tigers hit back with five majors in the third term on their way to a 39-point victory. That result and the Lions’ loss to ladder leaders Albany helped the Tigers jump to second spot due to their superior percentage over the Lions. The Lions face the two sides outside the top four in the final two rounds and the Tigers face an in-form Sharks side, but if the Tigers do slip back to third they will have crucial hosting rights to the elimination final. Returning stars Zach Jackson and Brandon Ugle had immediate impact as they goaled for the home side in the first term but the Jaggi brothers and Jaxon Lombardini ensured the visitors had their noses in front at quarter time. There were only two goals kicked in a dour second term as the Tigers held an 11-point half-time advantage. Young pair Brock Lathbury and Tom Geddes gave the Tigers early breathing space in the third and the Bulls were left to rue several missed chances on goal. Darcy Wallinger’s second major reduced the deficit to 15 points but the Tigers had the answers as Geddes kicked another and then player-coach Bodhi Stubber, who had swung himself forward, nailed one from long range. Trailing by 27 points at the last change, the Bulls needed an early goal but it was Lorcan McNamara who stretched the margin to 33 points inside four minutes. The Bulls continued to fight but couldn’t string back-to-back goals together and the visitors through Joel Want and Jayden Scott sealed the 13.11 (89) to 7.8 (50) triumph. Milan Jaggi had great poise across half-back, Ryan Davies won plenty of the ball, Ryley Valli won some crucial clearances for the winners and Stubber was terrific at both ends. Geddes, Stubber and Want kicked multiple goals, while Lombardini and co-captain Leighton Smith both had strong games. The only sour point was a hamstring injury to forward Zak Hortin early on and then the loss of Mitch Green to a calf injury. The Bulls were best served by Wallinger (two goals), Jared Ballard, Tyreice Brown and Daniel Patching. Jackson made a successful return from a knee injury but was well held, kicking only two goals. His side missed the presence of the suspended Ashley Wallam and key forward Brodie Duffield, while Brent Parsons was also an omission from last week. North Albany produced their best performance of the season, coming from behind at quarter time to snatch a 38-point win over Denmark-Walpole and get off the bottom of the ladder. In the battle of the two sides outside the top four, it was the Magpies that started the best as they kicked three goals to one at Collingwood Park. However, Saturday’s contest swung dramatically in the second term as the Kangas lifted significantly, kicking five goals to two to take control of the contest. It was a different game after quarter time as the defiant Kangas conceded just five goals and kicked 13 of their own to record a memorable second win of the season. Veteran Graham Ross was outstanding with six majors in the 14.11 (95) to 8.9 (57) result and Travis Conn was also highly influential and booted two goals. The margin was six points in favour of the home side at half-time and that grew to 16 by three-quarter time. The Kangas finished far stronger, kicking four goals to one in the final stanza to snap a nine-game losing streak. Ross kicked two of his six majors in the all-important fourth quarter while Nick Barrow (one goal) and Jeremiah McKenzie were vital contributors for the winners. The Magpies swung the changes before the bounce, with nine additions from their loss the previous week. Star big man Shayne Zanetti and young midfield star Marlon Mastalerz returned, while Jaden Guidi played his first league game of the year. However, their inclusions were met with some key omissions, including regular trio Ben Olden, Noah Madaffari and Banjo Watkins and Eagles WAFL player Revis Alone. Zanetti and Tyler Stone kicked two goals each, Mastalerz continued his brilliant season while Guidi and youngster Ryan Hick also won plenty of the ball.