GSFL 2023: Brett Peake comes alive with six goals to help Sharks overcome Lions in gripping preliminary final

Albany produced a stirring preliminary final performance to storm to a second grand final in as many years, outlasting a persistent Royals side by 12 points at Retravision Stadium on Saturday afternoon. The Sharks held off a fast-finishing Lions outfit to reach the Great Southern Football League grand final, the victory setting up an exciting premiership showdown with Railways, who the Sharks met in their maiden grand final appearance in 2022. Former AFL player Brett Peake was electric with six goals in the rousing 11.5 (71) to 8.11 (59) result, four of those coming in the opening quarter. The GSFL preliminary final between the co-tenants was played in front of a bumper crowd with the Sharks conceding the first two majors before piling on the next six. The Sharks held control for the majority of the second and third terms and led by 22 points heading into the final quarter but the Lions stormed back into the contest with three goals and they got as close as four points as a thrilling ending developed. Joel Flick had the two opening majors of the game before Bryce Blaszkow fired back with the Sharks’ opener and Jayden Zilm converted a close range snap to edge back within a point. Nic Ashford missed his attempt on goal and it was Peake who caught fire at the other end, kicking three quick goals to put his side up by 16 points in the final stages. The 40-year-old kicked his fourth as the quarter-time siren sounded and let the Lions know all about it, sparking a melee between opposing players. Ashford got the Lions’ first in the second term and Jayden Zilm answered back, the Lions then enduring a run of behinds before Ryan Kinnear snapped a clever goal from the boundary to bring them back within 14 points at half-time. Scores dried up early in the third before a rushed behind and a quick transition left Ashford with another opportunity, his effort brushing the post. Isaac Baum broke the goal drought, nailing a 35m set shot to extend the margin to 19. Ashford and Corey Ward kicked behinds but it was that man again Peake, who goaled from 20m out at the 23-minute mark to push the buffer beyond three goals. The Lions needed an inspired last term to overhaul the minor premiers and it looked as though Ward would be the man to spur an unlikely comeback, crumbing two balls from close range and nailing both attempts to bring his side within 10 points. The Lions had 12 entries in the final term as they launched one last charge. Stephen Beal marked strongly 30m out before converted and the margin was cut to just four points, his Lions having five inside-50s in just seven minutes. Sharks defender Cameron Jones missed at the other end but Bryce Blaszkow found an open Mitch Collier 30m out from goal, the youngster stemming the flow to push his side back out to 12 points. Peake proved the difference once again however, this time jailing a freakish right foot snap tucked up against the boundary to put them up by three goals with five minutes to play. Adrian Hardy pegged one back for the Lions but that would be the final score of the contest, the Sharks holding on for a memorable triumph. Peake, Baum, Kleemann medallist Robbie Lee, Kane Pinney, Jayden Zilm and George Bockman were among the standouts for the winners. Ruckman Beal was again a dominant force along with Ward, Jayson Ford, Steven Edwards and brothers Joel and Ryan Flick who all impressed for the Lions. Ford was particularly influential after being moved through midfield in the second half of the contest. The Lions’ cause wasn’t helped by injuries to key tall Taylor Powell (ankle) and rebound defender Brayden Parker (hamstring). The Sharks won the inside-50 count, 47-42, with the first quarter telling as the Sharks kicked six goals straight from just 12 entries. In the first term there was an off-the-ball clash between Lions’ David Parker and Sharks’ Marlin Bennett, the umpires awarding the Lions a free kick on the wing. David Parker came from the field and returned with a bandage around his head. Earlier in the day the Sharks’ sixteens secured their grand final place with a tense 10-point win over the Lions. Max Grimes and James Taylor kicked two goals and Jesse Owens was dominant for the Sharks in the preliminary final win, 6.8 (44) to 5.4 (34). The Lions’ season came to an end despite three goals from Buddy Robinson and strong performances from Natale Trichilo and Ashton Henrickson. The Sharks exited the colts finals in straight sets after they went down to the Tigers by 22 points. The Tigers started strongly in the preliminary final with three goals to one in the first term and pushed their advantage to 22 points by the long break. Flynn Jackman kicked four goals for the winners as they progressed the decider, 10.12 (72) to 7.8 (50). The Lions produced a crushing preliminary final display in the reserves, holding the Tigers to one goal. A 52-point victory for the Lions sets up a grand final clash with Sharks as James Watters kicked three goals and was well supported by Brett Hooper, Joley Graham and Braden Murphy. The Lions kicked five unanswered goals in the second half to cruise to a 8.11 (59) to 1.1 (7) result. Lions’ Mathew Laudehr received a red card for striking in the third term.