GSFL 2023: Royals storm to fourth straight win to celebrate games record mark for wingman Ryan Kinnear

A clinical second quarter guided Royals to their fourth win on the trot, easily taking care of the lowly Denmark-Walpole at Retravision Stadium on Saturday. It was a memorable day for the Lions as they celebrated a record occasion for wingman Ryan Kinnear plus a 30-year premiership reunion for the successful 1993 league team who triumphed over Tambellup. The Magpies held the in-form Lions to only four goals in the first term but the floodgates opened in the second, to set up the 116-point thrashing in round 14 of the Great Southern Football League. The Lions led by 21 points at quarter-time and that was quickly extended to 64 points with a seven-goal domination in the second period. Key forward Nic Ashford kicked three majors, Adrian Hardy and Joel Flick added their seconds while Coel Hunter and Stephen Beal also converted to push the Lions well clear. From there the home side remained in total control, kicking nine goals to one as they coasted to an eighth win of the season. Kinnear was busy throughout the afternoon and kicked a final quarter goal where he was mobbed by his teammates, as he equalled the league games record at the club. He was chaired from the ground following his 276th appearance as both sides formed up to acknowledge the GSFL stalwart’s achievement. Midfielder Cameron Allison had one of his best games of the season while the work of defender Steven Edwards, the ever-lively Joel Flick (three goals) and Chandler Askevold-McDonald also stood out. Stephen Beal was terrific in the ruck in the opening half, Ben Altus and Brayden Parker enjoyed strong performances while Ashford and Hardy combined well in the front half to kick four majors each. “We got through unscathed which is good,” Lions coach Andrew Ruck said. “Getting a few (players) back has helped and we are playing it on our terms more.” Magpies’ Bailey Bennett was red-carded in the third term for striking after Lions’ Daniel Archbold-Mortensen was tackled dangerously and tempers frayed. Bennett has accepted a reprimand for the incident. The visitors, who were without coach Brad Nisbett, toiled hard early in the contest but again were outclassed the longer the game went on. Reagan Hutchinson was outstanding in defeat and was well supported by Barry Roberts, Tyler Stone (one goal) and Daniel Rowling.