Broomhall propels Lions to victory

A six-goal haul from forward Harry Broomhall has helped sink a determined Albany, as the Lions recorded their first win of the new Great Southern Football League season on Sunday afternoon.

In wet and windy conditions, the Sharks led for much of the first half as they pushed the Lions throughout the round 2 contest but in the end it was Broom-hall’s heroics that proved the difference.

The enigmatic forward had three goals by three-quarter time as the Lions wrestled their way in front and then booted three in the final term to prevail by 16 points.

Despite the strong breeze, Broomhall finished with 6.1, including a couple of tough set shots, to be the most influential player on the ground.

The Lions took until the 22nd minute of the second term to hit the lead and they had to withstand two strong challenges from their co-tenants in the second half.

Twice the Sharks reduced the margin to four points in the third term and with their first inside-50 of the last quarter, Zac Pearson slotted his second to make it an 11-point game but they were never able to conjure multiple goals at any stage.

Midfielder Henry Hodge and veteran Ryan Kinnear played important roles, while Corey Ward and Braden Murphy also impressed in the 9.3 (57) to 6.5 (41) triumph as the Lions bounced back from their opening round defeat.

Centre-half back Marcus Mellon was terrific for the Sharks, taking a stack of intercept marks and driving his side forward regularly, while Anthony Coyne and ruckman Stewart Davies worked tirelessly around the ball and Pearson finished with three majors up front.

Lions coach James McRae said winning contested ball and scoring from opportunities forward helped his side come out with a win.

“It was a mongrel day and a lot of blokes were playing their first game,” McRae said.

“I didn’t think they (Sharks) could win but they could certainly make it difficult for us. Our structure worked well considering and we had a pretty even spread.

“Six goals in those conditions is the difference from Harry.”

Sharks coach Kim Mayfield was buoyed by his side’s performance until three-quarter time.

“They were always that two goals in front,” Mayfield said.

“We met a lot more of our targets except for the last quarter and it was further improvement on last week, given the conditions. I was pleased with the effort.”