GSFL 2024: Albany overcome big deficit to outlast Mt Barker, Royals seal up second and Railways win at home

Albany came from seven goals down to defeat Mt Barker in arguably the game of the year while Railways and Royals each secured big wins in the final round of the Great Southern Football League competition on Saturday. It would have taken something extraordinary for the final ladder positions to be shifted heading into the last round of the home-and-away season, but neither of the top four sides moved after the round 15 matches. The Sharks looked down and out at 41 points behind the Bulls during the second quarter of their game but the minor premiers showed why they are red-hot favourites to lift the cup again. In a game fraught with volatile momentum swings, it was the Sharks who made the most of their hot runs to emerge seven-point victors in arguably the match of the season and spoil the Bulls’ 30-year celebrations at Sounness Park. Not even eight match-defining goals from Bulls spearhead Ashley Wallam was enough to keep the reigning premiers at bay as the Sharks somehow clawed back to a famous road win. When the game was on the line and the Sharks were trailing by 23 points at the final change, their emerging young stars stood up when it mattered most, with Harvey Taylor, Kaleb Germain and George Bockman all holding their nerve under immense pressure to kick vital goals. A spectacular running goal from the boot of Harvey Taylor capped off four straight last-quarter majors for the Sharks and handed his side the lead for the first time since the eight-minute mark of the first quarter. Wallam then kicked his eighth soon after to wrangle back the lead, sending the home fans into raptures before George Bockman (three goals) converted a set shot from a near-impossible angle with three minutes to go to snatch back a one-point advantage. With just one minute left on the clock, Germain kicked truly from directly in front to seal a memorable 14.14 (98) to 14.7 (91) victory for the visitors. Wallam gave the boisterous throng of Mt Barker faithful plenty to cheer about early with three goals by the first change before adding another two after quarter-time as the Bulls launched to a 41-point lead courtesy of eight unanswered goals. Their forward line was flush with avenues to the goal, with Wallam, Zach Jackson (two goals) and Sam Lehmann (two) all adding goals in the striking burst and proving they can all gel together in the forward 50. However, when Sharks’ Lewis Bosch (two goals) scored a much-needed goal against the run of play and then Mitch Collier converted two in quick succession, the Sharks suddenly had three in as many minutes and the momentum had rapidly shifted. Runaway Sean Plaisted trophy winner Brett Peake (three goals) added two on either side of a George Bockman finish, who pounced on an uncharacteristic error from Bulls’ Lee Pavlovich, cutting the deficit to two points at the long break. The Bulls reassumed control of the game in the third, with five goals to one including two from the boot of Wallam, who added his sixth and seventh inside two minutes. Sharks’ Kane Pinney was spectacular across half-back alongside Cam Jones, while Collier and George Bockman were influential inside 50. Harvey Taylor and Brock Anning excelled on the wings and star ball winner Bailey Taylor slowly worked into the game for the Sharks, who were without Isaac Baum after halftime. Daniel Patching was prolific in the engine room for the Bulls while Seb Ballard and Darcy Wallinger rebounded superbly all game. The Lions tuned up for their qualifying showdown against the Sharks with a comprehensive 97-point win over North Albany at Retravision Stadium. As they welcomed back key trio Stephen Beal, Ryan Lazar and Corey Ward to the side, the Lions produced a clinical opening half on their way to securing second spot and a vital finals double chance. Nine goals to one in the first half effectively ended the contest and the home side cruised to an 11th win of the season. They will now turn their attention to a finals blockbuster with their co-tenants. The Lions could have lost second spot if they went down to the fifth-placed Kangas but they led by 54 points at halftime and that margin continued to grow, helping to celebrate co-captain Hamish McMorran’s 100th league game in the best possible fashion. Majors to Graham Ross and Brandon Woods early in the third term ignited the Kangas briefly as they cut the margin to 42 points but they simply couldn’t sustain the pressure. The Lions hit back with three goals to go into the final change well ahead and then powered to a 17.19 (121) to 3.6 (24) result on the back of four-goal hauls from Nic Ashford and Ryan Lazar. Brayden Parker was irrepressible at half-back, collecting possessions at will in a highly influential display and he had plenty of support. Ben Altus was damaging through the middle of the ground, Zak Mola’s clearance work was again superb and David Parker and Declan McNamara won plenty of the ball. Beal (two goals) was solid early in his return from an ankle injury before being rested in the second half and Jaiden Mole chipped in with three majors. The only concern for the Lions was what appeared to be a serious knee injury to tall Chandler Askevold-McDonald. However, those fears were eased a little post-game with the Lions confident he had sustained an ankle injury that was not season-ending. The Kangas’ season came to an end with an eighth loss by 90 points or more as they finished with two wins over bottom side Denmark-Walpole. Hard-working midfielder Nick Barrow broke his side’s lengthy goal drought in the second term, Drew Willcocks was outstanding in the middle before being moved to defence and Kobi Keen, Woods and Fynn Kelleher-Bird were also key contributors for the Kangas. The Tigers ended their regular season in style to enter finals in good form after easing past Denmark-Walpole at home with a 54-point win and handing their opponents the wooden spoon. After a sluggish start from both sides, in which only one goal was scored in the opening quarter when Tigers gun forward Joel Want booted one of his five goals, the hosts surged in the second term with seven goals. Tigers’ Kane Shepherd scored all four of his majors in the second, propelling his team to a commanding 34-point lead at the main break. The Magpies found their offensive rhythm in the third as the two teams traded goals, but the Tigers maintained their strong lead heading into the last. The hosts then kicked away in the final term with five of the last six goals to notch an impressive 15.7 (9) to 7.1 (43) victory before finals. Ball magnet and Kleemann Medal fancy Ryley Valli was sensational for the Tigers and booted two goals, while Mohit Jaggi provided plenty of run on the wing. Tyler Stone capped off another superb season in the black-and-white with four goals and livewire Revis Alone injected much-needed pace and poise around the ball.