Dominant second half powers Railways to third straight win, Kangas on the board and Lions remain undefeated

Railways finished full of running to record a third straight win after crushing Albany by 89-point to wrap up round five of the Great Southern Football League season at Centennial Stadium this afternoon. The Tigers were challenged in the second term by the Sharks but piled on nine unanswered majors in the second half to coast to a third straight triumph and move two games clear in second spot. Hayden Davies snapped the first two goals of the third term before Matt Palfrey also kicked one around his body as a 27-point half time margin quickly ballooned past 50 points. The Tigers added five more majors in the last term, the final two coming through Mohit Jaggi and debutant Jack Stephens as the visitors ran out big winners, 16.17 (113) to 3.3 (21). Jayden Scott was awarded the game ball by the umpires after being adjudged best on ground in Belt Up Round. Logan Stubber kicked three goals and had plenty of the ball while the work of youngsters Jaggi, Xavier Brenton-Reed and Ryan Davies was also a highlight. Hayden Davies finished with four goals and Matt Palfrey was also busy kicking 4.6 for the day. The Sharks dominated the final 15 minutes of the second term as they booted the last three goals to trail by 27 points at the main change. Brett Peake soccered the Sharks first through before Luke Mowaljarlai Jr and Max Baker goaled to give the home side some life heading into the second half however they failed to register a major from that point on. Cam Jones found plenty of the ball along with Samuel Christo while Dylan Thomas battled hard in defence. North Albany recorded their first win of the 2021 season after prevailing in a thriller against Mt Barker yesterday. In greasy conditions at Collingwood Park, the Kangas got home by six points to end a run of four straight losses. Angus McKercher drew first blood for the home side with a quick goal but a burst of majors from Bryce Blaszkow, Rhys Hogg and Josh Price meant that that the Bulls went into the first break sporting an eight-point lead. The Kangas fought back and threatened to push away in the second half but the home side struggled to convert from their seven scoring shots to the Bulls one as they turned the deficit into an eight-point advantage at half time. The game started to slow in the second half with just one major coming in the third quarter through the Bulls’ Sebastian Ballard, meaning that the final quarter was precariously balanced as the Kangas held onto a three-point advantage. Fans started to have an influence as every call became more important and tensions rose in the final quarter. Steven Scott had the chance to draw the game with a kick after the final siren from a tight angle but with a sopping-wet footy his kick was wayward and the ball went on the full as the Kangas won 7.13 (55) to 7.7 (49). Jacob Crowe was instrumental in his return for the winners while Nick Barrow and ruckman Aden Castlehow were pivotal in the victory and Angus McKercher was the only multiple goal kicker with two. Scott Price was awarded the game ball in a losing affair and he was well supported by Rhys Hogg and Sam Lehmann while Keegan Berry kicked two goals. In yesterday’s other game at McLean Park, reigning premiers Royals survived a big scare from Denmark-Walpole. The Lions prevailed by three points in an absolute epic to win their 31 consecutive game but it didn’t come easy. The Magpies jumped out of the blocks to lead by five points at the first change and had extended that margin to 15 points at the main change after booting five goals to three in the second. New recruit Bailey Bennett starred in the second quarter booting four goals and he had five by the main break for the home side. The Lions mounted a superb comeback in the third stanza as their key senior figures stood up to reverse the momentum and take a 15-point lead into the final change. Hamish McMorran added his fourth goal of the game in the pivotal third quarter as the Magpies went goalless in a 30-point turnaround. Jayden Woods took a spectacular aerial mark and converted before Coen Marwick soccered the Magpies second to pull it back to three points midway through the final term. McMorran steadied the ship before Magpies captain Alec Haskins was awarded a 50m penalty and converted to make it a two point game late in the game. However the Lions found a way to win, holding on for a memorable 11.9 (75) to 11.6 (72) triumph. McMorran finished with five majors while Jordan Heil was awarded the game ball after racking up a stack of possessions. David Parker and Stephen Beal were also vital in the win. Bennett finished with five goals while Ryan Gaerth worked tirelessly along with Tyler Stone and Brodie Reeve.