GSFL 2023: Royals advance to grand final of colts competition after thrilling qualifying final win over Albany

Royals have advanced directly to the Great Southern Football League colts grand final after a thrilling finish in their qualifying final against Albany on Saturday.

The Sharks led by 13 points at half-time but a superb five-goal third term helped guide the Lions to their eighth-straight appearance in the colts grand final for a chance at sealing a fifth consecutive premiership.

The Sharks had a chance after the siren to win the game but a shot on goal from about 20m out fell short.

They will play Railways in a preliminary final this Saturday for a chance at redemption.

Kaizen Beeck and Cleve Humphries kicked three goals apiece. Rory Luscombe, Jack Carlson and Lachlan Steytler also shone.

The Tigers kicked two late goals in the final term to snatch victory in the 16s and beat the Sharks by two points. In a low-scoring reserves qualifying final the Sharks came from three points down at three-quarter-time to claim a tense two-point win against the Lions.

On Sunday the Lions defeated Denmark-Walpole in a thrilling elimination final in the 16s competition.

The Magpies led by 12 points at the last break but the Lions stormed home with four majors in the fourth quarter to secure a six-point win and progress to the preliminary final.

Railways progressed in both the colts and reserves, downing the Magpies and Bulls respectively.

The Tigers held the Magpies to a single point in the first three quarters and had to withstand a strong fightback in the final term to win by 18 points in the colts elimination final.

In the reserves, a first half of five goals to one set up the Tigers’ comfortable 28-point win.