GSFL 2024: Mt Barker boot seven straight in commanding 40-point elimination final win to knock out Railways

Mt Barker have charged into the preliminary final and laid a statement as a premiership fancy after ending Railways’ season prematurely with a superb elimination final victory in a spicy encounter at Tigerland on Sunday. Tasked with playing on their opponent’s home turf, the Bulls were clean in greasy conditions and poised when moving the ball in their comprehensive 40-point win in week one of the Great Southern Football League finals series. The Bulls powered away after conceding the first goal, kicking the next seven majors through the following three quarters to open a 34-point lead during the third term on their way to the 8.13 (61) to 3.3 (21) win. Ash Wallam (three goals) was dangerous down forward and his herculean strength was on show throughout, while at the other end defenders Darcy Wallinger, Seb Ballard and Lee Pavlovich were prolific in thwarting the Tigers’ inside-50 entries. The home side were their own worst enemy at times, with frantic ball movement and sloppy skill enabling the Bulls’ half-backs to mop up across defence. The Tigers got the perfect start in front of a boisterous home crowd when Bailey Bennett opened his side’s account in the first minute but from then on it was all the Bulls. After a heavily contested start, Dylan Gowdie kicked his first when Tiger Milan Jaggi conceded a clumsy free kick 10m out from goal before Wallam booted his first. Wallam walked into an open goal for his second when opponent Beau Ewen spilled a mark before Zach Jackson made it two in a minute to start the second. As tempers flared in the do-or-die clash, Tiger Kane Shephard was shown a yellow card for rough conduct on Brandon Ugle, who then rubbed salt in the wound minutes later when he converted from a tough angle moments later to give his side a 27-point half-time lead. Zach Jackson wobbled through his second eight minutes into the third before Sam Lehman handballed to a running Daniel Patching and the Bulls were charging towards a preliminary final. Rebounding Tiger Lorcan McNamara finally snapped the Bulls’ goals streak on the stroke of the three-quarter time siren but the damage had already been done. Patching was huge in the midfield before going off at three-quarter time with a hamstring complaint, while Wallinger nursed a neck injury in the last. David Stone was telling in the ruck battle and Zach Jackson provided constant headache for Tiger defenders. Milan Jaggi and Bailey Bennett played key roles for the Tigers and were clean by foot and Ryley Valli competed strongly through the engine room. The Bulls will square off with Royals at Retravision Stadium next week in the preliminary final, with a spot in the decider on the line. Albany held off a fast-finishing Denmark-Walpole to win the reserves elimination final battle by five points. The Sharks conceded just one goal through the opening two terms but were held scoreless in the last as the Magpies made ignited a last quarter fightback. However, the Magpies rued crucial missed chances in the last, finishing the term with two goals from their seven attempts as Sharks secured the 4.6 (30) to 3.7 (25) win. Mitch Collier, who has played match-winning roles in the Sharks’ league side, booted a game-high three goals for the Sharks, who will do battle with the Lions next week. The Tigers kept their season alive and ended the Magpies’ in an absolutely thrilling colts elimination final which came down to the final five seconds. A last-gasp effort from the Magpies in the final seconds was on its way to lifting the Magpies to a miraculous win before a lunging spoil from Tiger Brock Herbert on the goal-line resulted in a minor score and handed the Tigers a four-point win. The Magpies led the entire match before a goal from Tigers’ spearhead Brock Lathbury in the last quarter gave his side a slender lead. The 4.11 (35) to 4.7 (31) win means they will take on minor premiers the Sharks in the preliminary final. Magpie ball-winner Marlon Mastalerz was clearly best afield in the losing affair, while Tiger Hugh Beaton was enormous in the nailbiting last quarter. A Reagan Gough-inspired Lions side progressed through to the 16s preliminary final with a commanding 25-point triumph over rivals the Sharks. Gough booted four of the Lions’ six goals in trying conditions to lead his side to the 6.8 (44) to 3.1 (19) victory. The Lions will now face off against the Magpies next week for a spot in the decider.