First quarter blitz helps Lions to big win, Magpies respond with crucial victory on the road

Royals remain unbeaten after three rounds of the Great Southern Football League season, with an 11-goal first quarter setting up their big win over Albany today at Centennial Stadium. The reigning premiers booted 11 goals in the first term and had the first 15 majors of the game before Hayden Richter broke the drought for the Sharks. At half time Lions big man Stephen Beal had five goals and the work of Ryan Kinnear and Cameron Allison up the ground was evident. The margin grew to 110 points by three-quarter-time with Beal booting a sixth, Rhys Jones in a forward role kicked his second and the lively Jayson Ford took his goal tally to three. However the final term was impressive by the Sharks as they won the quarter and pulled the margin under triple figures. Richter capped a superb game with his third major and fellow Boxwood Hill recruit Tom Bertola kicked a goal while Vince Auguston and hard-working youngster Max Baker also hit the scoreboard. The Lions were too strong across the four quarters, finishing winners 23.7 (145) to 7.5 (47). Allison was best on ground with a terrific display in the middle while Kinnear, Beal, Ford and Jordan Heil were also in their best players. Boxwood trio Richter, Jeremy Walker and Bertola all stood out for the Sharks while new recruit Cameron Jones played his first game and was influential in the middle. Meanwhile Denmark-Walpole have chalked up an important win away from home after overrunning North Albany at Collingwood Park on Saturday afternoon. The scores were level heading into the last term before the Magpies piled on five goals to one in the last quarter, two coming from Coen Marwick’s boot and two from 50m penalties. The Magpies booted the first four goals of the last term within the space of 10 minutes to break the game open. The Kangas were inaccurate in front of goals as they went down, 7.15 (57) to 12.8 (80), at home despite leading by five points at the main change. Ryan Gaerth kicked three majors, including a goal of the year contender, while Marwick, Shayne Zannetti, Alec Haskins and youngster Matthew Dykes were also solid in the win. Classy mover Jayden Woods worked into the game as it went on finishing with 18 touches. Kangas youngster Talon Delacey was best on for his side again finishing with 28 touches and two goals while Addison Dew, Mitch Lenegan and Todd Retallack were all solid. Railways were able to shrug off a persistent Mt Barker side after half time at Sounness Park, to register their second win of the season yesterday. The Bulls led by 10 points at quarter time after kicking with the aid of a strong breeze before the Tigers hit back to take a one-point advantage into the main break. The Tigers through midfielder Jayden Scott and damaging half-back Mitch Green broke the game open in the second half, as they powered to a 29-point victory. Green was outstanding and Scott did plenty of grunt work as the Tigers prevailed, 15.5 (95) to 9.12 (66). Matt Palfrey was limited to one goal by Brent Parsons in the first three quarters before the ex-WAFL forward kicked three majors in the last. Henrick Alforque won plenty of the ball and Jack Steel bobbed up with three goals as the visitors finished full of running. The Bulls were best served by Mitch Jackson in the ruck, midfielder Bryce Blaszkow worked hard all day and booted two goals while Sam Lehmann and Parsons were also solid.