Great Southern Football League’s top two teams Railways and Royals square off at Centennial Stadium

Arch rivals Railways and Royals will square off in a spicy top-of-the-table clash on Sunday which is likely to determine who claims top spot and enters the finals series as premiership favourites. The two sides sit well clear of their rivals on the Great Southern Football League ladder and the winner of the round 12 encounter appears set to claim the minor premiership and secure hosting rights for next month’s second semifinal clash. Both teams have won 10 games this season, with the Tigers sitting on top courtesy of their superior percentage heading into their third meeting of the year. In the two match ups so far the Lions prevailed by 13 points in round two at Centennial Stadium before the Tigers hit back to end the reigning premiers’ 32-game winning streak with an eight-point triumph at Tigerland in round seven. Sunday’s blockbuster will be played at Centennial Stadium and Lions coach Andrew Ruck said he expected to have a similar line-up to the one that beat Mt Barker last week. “I’m really interested to see who and where a lot of their players line up,” Ruck said. “I watched on the weekend and they’re experimenting with a lot of players. “They changed a few key players against us last game at half-time and it worked so it will be interesting in the coaching box and on field.” Former WAFL star Steven Edwards will miss the game with work commitments and Ruck said it was unlikely they would regain key duo Declan McNamara and Jayson Ford this week. “I think both teams will have five to six younger players and it will be interesting to see if they can step up,” Ruck said. “It’s a good incentive to finish on top but either way both teams will get two looks at a grand final so both will be trying to get a feel for each other. “Both teams won’t want to give too much away.” The Tigers will welcome back key young duo Coen Jackman and Xavier Benton-Reed after they played WAFL colts for Claremont last week. Star defender Mitch Green is set to miss another week with a hamstring injury and Ethan Knee (shoulder) and Haydn Sproxton (holidays) are no certainty to return. “I’m really looking forward to the clash,” Tigers coach Mark Bayliss said. “If we finish first or second it doesn’t really matter, it’s just another game. “I just want my side to keep progressing and improving, that’s the main thing. “Both sides are beatable so it should be a good game.” In the other round 12 fixtures Denmark-Walpole will host Mt Barker on Saturday in the Hard Memorial Game, with the result vital to the make-up of the top four, and Albany will face North Albany at Collingwood Park, also on Saturday.