GSFL 2023: Mt Barker not feeling the pressure ahead of blockbuster elimination final with in-form Royals side

Mt Barker are not feeling the pressure ahead of a blockbuster Great Southern Football League elimination final against Royals on Sunday. The Lions and Bulls will put their seasons on the line at Retravision Stadium and both enter the clash in red-hot form. The Bulls are on a four-game winning streak — their last loss coming at the hands of the Lions in round 11 — which includes a 43-point mauling of minor premiers Albany last Saturday. Bulls coach Brad Hook says his side was pumped to be preparing for such a big final. “We are going in there with a little bit of belief,” he said. “I don’t feel like there is any sort of pressure on us, Royals are the in-form team of the competition. “It’s a really big challenge but everyone is excited to be playing finals footy.” However the task of overcoming the white-hot Lions will be even harder with young defender Darcy Wallinger ruled out with a knee injury. Wallinger was one of three Bulls injured in the final round win over the Sharks and despite not having scans back to confirm the extent of the injury, he won’t play in the first week of finals. David Stone and Brent Parsons who came off with hamstring tightness are both expected to play. The Bulls will regain key ball winner Joel Gray and forward Dylan Gowdie while Clayton Wood is also in the mix. Hook said the key to beating the Lions was winning the hotly-contested midfield battle. “A fair bit will come down to the midfield battle,” Hook said. “They’ve got some genuine pace and exciting small forwards so we have to stop that delivery inside 50. “We have the talent there and have a good ratio of inside-50 entries to how many times we score.” The Lions have won their past five matches and thumped the Bulls by 62 points at the same venue back in July. In their two other encounters this season the Lions won by 20 points at Sounness Park in round six and the two sides drew in the opening round. Lions coach Andrew Ruck remained tight lipped on changes to the side from last week’s win over North Albany but tall targets Sam Holmes and Taylor Powell are firmly in the mix. Crafty player Tyreice Brown has played four games for the Lions this year and most recently played reserves for Swan Districts on August 5 but did not play in the WAFL last week. He could line up for the Lions in the final while Ruck believes veteran Ryan Kinnear who was dropped last week and youngster Justin Galos are also chances to be recalled. Ruck expected a tough and physical contest from the outset. “It will be on for young and old from the first bounce,” he said. “Both teams are coming in with pretty good finishes and it’s a bit similar to last year, we got done by seven points. “Our boys are certainly taking it one week at a time and not looking past Mt Barker. “They have really good balance and their mids are just as good as anyone. “You can be as confident as you can winning but at the end of the day it doesn’t really mean anything if we don’t bring the effort and energy on Sunday.” Ruck highlighted contested footy as the key to winning the game and believes his side needs to limit the Bulls ability to rebound well from defence. “We have to match them at contested footy in the middle,” Ruck said. “We will go in pretty similar, maybe a few chances and some tough decisions but that’s finals footy — you don’t get second chances.” The Lions will celebrate major milestones for brothers David and Brayden Parker with their 200th and 150th league games in the final. Bouncedown is at 2.30pm on Sunday with the winner progressing to face the loser of Saturday’s qualifying final between the Sharks and Railways.