GSFL 2024: Lehmann stars in Bulls win over Kangas, Sharks make it four straight and Lions too strong for Pies

A Samuel Lehmann-inspired Mt Barker defeated a clumsy North Albany by 33 points at Collingwood Park in the final match of the Belt Up Round in the Great Southern Football League on Sunday. After missing a week with a back injury, Lehmann spearheaded his side’s victory, booting nine goals for the visitors in a consummate display across the field. The Bulls burst out of the blocks in the first term, pounding on six goals to two, with four first-quarter majors coming from the boot of Lehmann to help set up their 19.8 (122) to 13.11 (89) victory. The Kangas fired back in the second through Graham Ross with two, and Travis Conn, trading goals with the Bulls as Lehmann added three more. When Lehmann converted another two goals in the third quarter alongside singles from Seth Jones and Camball McMahon, the Bulls extended their three-quarter-time margin to 30 points. Kangas’ Brock Tiede fired a punch early in the last with his first to try to ignite the home side, but Lehmann slotted his ninth as the Bulls piled on the next three to ice the game. Lehmann had two chances to reach the double-figure bag but unselfishly handed them off to Daniel Patching and debutant Kye Griffiths. Patching (two goals) was prolific through the engine room for the Bulls, while Zach Jackson (two) and McMahon (three) were dominant in the forward half, setting up a lot of their dangerous attacks. Jyrin Woods (two goals) was superb for the home side, while Ross (four) and Conn competed hard forward of centre. Unfortunately for Kangas, star defender Regan Lloyd left the field in the first quarter with a knee injury, Owen Smith could not return after having breathing troubles, and forward Conn was in the hands of trainers in the fourth with a lower leg injury and failed to return. Kangas’ Barry Roberts received a yellow card in the second quarter for swearing. Albany overcame goal kicking woes. and a defiant Railways to notch a 32-point win at Retravision Stadium on Saturday night, marking their fourth straight win of the 2024 campaign. The Sharks had numerous opportunities to blow their opponents away throughout their 9.19 (73) to 6.5 (41) victory, but errant shots allowed the Tigers to stay within striking distance for most of the match. However, buoyed by the sheer volume of opportunities they created, the Sharks surged ahead in the second half, scoring six goals to the visitors’ three. Kaleb Germain (one goal) was excellent in a resounding team performance and was awarded the match day ball in the Belt Up Round after being judged best-on-ground. Trailing by 15 points at the final change, Shane Braimbridge converted his first early in the last quarter to give his side a much-needed kickstart. But Sharks’ Bryce Blaszkow, Aiden Clark and Brett Peake (two goals) quickly quashed any chance of a spirited Tigers fightback, booting a major each. The Tigers sparked a terrific comeback in the third when Bailin Curtis booted his first before Jaxon Lombardini scored directly out of the next centre stoppage, cutting the margin to just four points. But things started to spiral for the travellers when co-captain Jayden Scott was shown a yellow card for rough conduct, giving Brock Anning his first goal. Harvey Taylor then combined with Mitchell Collier (two goals), courtesy of a 50m penalty, in quick succession, extending the margin back out. Sharks’ Isaac Baum was superb in the front half for the Sharks, finishing with 1.3, while Brett Peake was extremely dangerous inside forward 50 but struggled to finish his team’s work, ending with 2.4. Like his teammates, Bailey Taylor was sensational across the ground but finished with three behinds, while Harvey Taylor, Collier and Clark were all strong contributors for the hosts. Earlier, both sides may have felt they deserved the lead at half-time. The Sharks’ wayward goal kicking was matched by the Tigers’ sloppy repeated inside-50 entries, but the Sharks held a seven-point margin at the long break. Ryley Valli was sublime for the visitors with three first-half majors, while Lombardini was industrious in their front half and Leighton Smith toiled extremely hard in the back line alongside Matt France. In the other Saturday fixture, an efficient Royals side stormed to their third win of the season, getting the better of Denmark-Walpole in warm conditions at McLean Park on Saturday. The Magpies were much improved on their disappointing showing against the Kangas last week, but it was the class and poise of the Lions going forward that was the difference. The Lions started strongly with four goals in the first term and never looked back, going on to record a 57-point win on the road. Brayden Parker was electric early, as he and Hamish McMorran both finished with three goals in the 15.11 (101) to 6.8 (44) triumph. Up forward the visitors kicked some brilliant goals, including a wonderful set shot from the boundary line to McMorran and a clever goal in traffic by Shane Ugle in his first league game for the Lions. On the other hand, it was hard work for the Magpies to find the big sticks, missing simple set shots and breaking down across half-forward, with only Tyler Stone as their main target in attack. Midfield bull Declan McNamara was awarded the match day ball in the Belt Up Round after being judged best-on-ground by the umpires. McNamara was superb across the four quarters and capped his dominant display with a goal in the final stanza. It was the work of Parker, McNamara and Zak Mola through the middle that hurt the home side in the second term as they kicked six goals to two and broke the game apart. The Magpies fought hard to stay in the contest and won the third term as hardworking young midfielders Marlon Mastalerz and Noah Madaffari kicked majors, while the visitors only managed one. However that 39-point margin was extended by the Lions as they finished full of running to move back to second spot on the ladder. Parker and Ryan Lazar were also strong contributors for the Lions, Nathan Powell rucked manfully all day, while Joel Flick and Ben Altus got better as the game went on. Lions forward Adrian Hardy received a yellow card for rough conduct nearing half-time. The Magpies were again well served by Mastalerz, who won a stack of clearances and kicked three goals, and Revis Alone gave plenty of drive through the middle of the ground. Reagan Hutchinson was also solid down back before spending the second half in the middle, and Brendan Girak was strong under pressure in defence.