GSFL 2023: Albany seal historic minor premiership with top of the table win over Railways in round 14

Albany have clinched their first minor premiership after fighting their way to a thrilling two-point victory over Railways in the top of the table Great Southern Football League clash at Tigerland on Sunday. The result also secured the Sharks a home qualifying final against the same opponent in a fortnight, having now moved two games on top ahead of the final round in the regular season next week. Both sides struggled to hit the scoreboard with any real fluency and the margin never went beyond 15 points in a low-scoring affair. Scores were level with just over five minutes left but two rushed behinds gave Sharks a slender lead and they held on for a memorable 8.6 (54) to 6.16 (52) result in round 14. Sharks coach Jamie Ramm said while the result was positive, he expected an even hotter contest in the qualifying final. “It was a good game of footy and we’re happy to get the win,” he said. “I do think both sides are going to change a bit before we face off in that qualifying final. “Mainly it will be about getting everyone fit for the finals, we’ve had a few injuries as well as illness like some other teams have I’m sure. “We played Isaac (Baum) to get him up because if we waited until next week, we weren’t sure how he’d pull up, we’ll make a decision whether he plays in the last round. “One of the nicer things to take out of it also was Robbie Lee’s 100th, well done to him.” Tigers’ Jayden Scott struck first with a long-range effort from 50m before Jayden Zilm found the Sharks’ opener from a 45m set shot. Kane Shephard gathered tidily 15m out and put through the Tigers’ second but the reigning premiers endured a flurry of misses and Brett Peake found his first of the contest to drag the Sharks within two points at the first break. Zak Hortin and Jack Steel missed shots on goal early in the second quarter and Isaac Baum, who returned from a knee injury, made them pay with a simple conversion in the goal square from a 50m penalty. Zilm snuck in a set shot on an angle from 40m out and Gus Bockman snapped from close range to help push their side to a game-high 14 point lead. Lachlan Cale put an attempt wide before Scott once again showed his range for the Tigers, nailing his attempt from 50m out for the final goal of the half to bring them within seven at half-time. The Sharks conjured a crucial goal through Taj Williams but Hortin answered back from a difficult angle at the other end. Youngster Aiden Clark clunked a brilliant contested mark over Ethan Knee and made no mistake from 30m out to wrest back supremacy. Inaccuracy continued to mar strong build-up play from the Tigers with Scott and Joel Want putting through consecutive behinds but Dylan Schorer found a late goal to keep them within reach at three-quarter-time, down by three points. Peake found himself open in the goal square, dribbling through the first of the final quarter before Shephard goaled from a terrific sidestep at the other end. With players visibly exhausted on both sides, Scott put an effort on the run wide of the big sticks and Want missed a set shot from 40m out to level scores at the 19-minute mark. A snap from Peake was touched and then a scramble on the goal-line followed, those two points proving critical in the final outcome as the Tigers suffered their fourth defeat of the season. Lee celebrated his 100th league game with a superb performance and Williams (two goals) showed his class through the midfield for the winners. Defenders Tait McLean, who also spent time up the ground, and Kane Pinney were superb and Zilm chipped in with two majors. For the Tigers, inside midfielders Beau Ewen and Scott (two goals) were outstanding, Jack Steel worked hard in a negating role on Cameron Jones and Bodhi Stubber was a pillar of reliability in the back half. “What we took out of that game in the last quarter, we were still coming hard,” Tigers coach Mark Bayliss said. “To be fair to them they played really well and it was a high-intensity game from both sides. “I was pretty happy with how the team played but the scoreboard hurt us which was the difference in the game. “I believe that any side in the top four can win it this year, anyone that plays their best football on the day can do it. “Injuries will be the difference for us, if we get any more we might be in a bit of trouble and when we get some back they could be a little underdone.” Tigers’ Tom Palfrey was yellow-carded for a high bump on McLean in the first half while Craig Frost injured his hamstring.