GSFL 2024: Albany stitch up top spot after narrow win over Railways and Royals bounce back to second spot

Albany secured the minor premiership and in the process knocked Railways out of the top two after an enthralling battle in round 14 of the Great Southern Football League on Sunday. Despite trailing at the final change, the Sharks guaranteed top spot and hosting rights for the second semifinal with a narrow six-point win over the Tigers at Retravision Stadium after kicking four majors in the last quarter with the game on the line. Little separated the two sides throughout the game but the Tigers gave their opponents too much space in the final stanza as their shrewd energy started to flag and ball movement went astray. A goal from Isaac Baum was replied quickly by one from Tigers’ Matt France but successive majors from George Brockman, Taj Williams and Harry Hordacre pushed the home side ahead heading into the final 10 minutes. A 50m penalty awarded to the Tigers’ Haydn Sproxton reduced the deficit to six points and his side went forward several times in the final minutes but the gritty Sharks’ defence hung on, 9.10 (64) to 9.4 (58). The game was a low-scoring affair and the margin never blew out as the Tigers chased a fifth straight win, leading at quarter and three-quarter time. An action-rich but score-poor first quarter had the teams at constant loggerheads in a midfield slog before Joel Want broke the scoring drought first with a major returned swiftly by Zac Pearson. A goal scored after the siren by player-coach Bodhi Stubber had the Tigers up by five points at the first break. Brock Anning converted almost immediately in the second term before a scuffle broke out on the boundary line between hard nuts Jayden Scott and Marlin Bennett. Some behinds and then Brett Peake’s first major of the game got the home side back in front by half-time. The Tigers came out with renewed vigour in the third. An early back-and-forth resulted in goals from Mohit Jaggi and star Shark Baum before the Tigers got moving and scored three straight majors from Ryan Davies, Scott and Joel Want. Sharks ruckman Bailey Taylor made himself useful and took some telling marks all across the field and a last-minute goal from George Bockman got his side within one kick at the last change. Baum (two goals) and Aiden Clark were outstanding for Sharks in their 12th win of the season, while Bryce Blaszkow, Bennett and Hordacre also stood tall and George Bockman finished with two majors. The Tigers were best served by Stubber, Want (two goals), France, Ryley Valli and Ryan Davies. A strengthened Mt Barker side recorded their eighth win of the season as veteran Sam Lehmann made a successful return from injury as they beat North Albany on Saturday. Lehmann has been on the sidelines since breaking his collarbone in round six but kicked two goals in the Bulls’ 56-point triumph at Collingwood Park. The Kangas trailed by 12 points at the first change but the visitors got plenty of drive from half-back and pushed the margin out to 34 points by half-time as star Zach Jackson had four goals to his name and Keegan Berry had two. Only two goals were kicked in a dour third term; the Bulls missed a host of chances inside forward 50 but they added five goals in the final stanza to run out winners, 14.15 (99) to 6.7 (43). Zach Jackson finished with six majors and was well supported by Berry (three goals) and Lehmann. Daniel Patching, Sebastian Ballard, Jared Ballard and Jye Williss were terrific for the winners. For the home side, Angus McKercher, Nick Barrow, Kobi Keen and Jyrin Woods toiled hard throughout and youngster Dylan Bennett booted three goals while defender Mitch Woods celebrated his 100th league game. Royals jumped back to second spot after crushing Denmark-Walpole by 92 points at McLean Park on Saturday. The Lions booted six goals in the second term to take control but the Magpies, despite missing a host of their regular players, fought hard in the third quarter. Goals to Jack Marney and Josh Thompson helped the home side win the third term as they reduced the deficit to 52 points but the damage had been done. The Lions piled on seven majors in the fourth on their way to a comfortable win, 17.18 (120) to 4.4 (28). Nic Ashford was a terrific target in attack for the visitors, kicking five goals, while Seb Stanton chipped in with three. Midfield trio Zak Mola, Declan McNamara and Brayden Parker were highly influential and ruckman Nathan Powell was also impressive but their side lost Corey Linthorne to an elbow injury. The Magpies were brave in defeat and well led by Brad Keast, Tyler Stone (two goals), Thompson and Ben Olden.