GSFL 2024: Mt Barker coach Brad Hook credits his side’s ferocious intent to scintillating three-win streak

After notching three crucial victories in a row, including the scalps of reigning premiers Albany and flag fancies Royals, Mt Barker coach Brad Hook attributed his side’s scintillating form to the ferociously intense style. The Bulls’ six-goal second-quarter blitz helped them secure an impressive 37-point win over an undermanned Lions at Sounness Park on Saturday. After clinching the upset of the season against the Sharks last week, the in-form Bulls booted six unanswered goals in the second term and held the Lions to just one after half time to set up a stunning third consecutive victory. The game hinged on who could adapt best to the blustery conditions, and after a scoreless first term where they gave up three goals against the strong wind, the Bulls capitalised in the following quarter. Bulls star forward Zach Jackson booted four goals in their 9.11 (65) to 4.4 (28) triumph, including a pair during the pivotal second quarter. Their relentless attack started at the source, with Brent Parsons, Daniel Patching and Mitch Jackson working over the Lions on-ballers and providing their forwards ample opportunities inside-50. “I think our intensity has lifted in the last three weeks and I love our effort at the stoppages,” Hook said. “I gave our midfield a crack and they lifted and I feel the game was definitely won in the third. “It was a six-goal breeze in the second and we got that so I challenged them to be even at three-quarter time and we will win the game so I was really happy with that.” Zach Jackson opened the scoring early in the second before two spectacular solo efforts from Ben Kirkwood evened the ledger. Subsequent goals from Brodie Duffield and Camball McMahon (two goals), followed by Zach Jackson’s second, propelled the Bulls to a commanding 23-point lead by the long break. Patching fought against a hard tag from Jordan Hulm before having ankle troubles in the second half but was buoyed by the support of midfielders Parsons and Tyreice Brown who competed hard all afternoon. Winger Jye Williss was exceptional between the arcs with brilliant foot skills and line-breaking runs, while Zach Jackson and McMahon flourished in the front half. However, their win came at a cost with key forward Sam Lehmann facing an extended stint on the sidelines with a broken collarbone, Darcy Lubcke suffering a hamstring injury, and ruck Mitch Jackson facing suspension for a dangerous tackle. Lions’ Zak Mola forced from the field early in the second after a dangerous tackle from Mitch Jackson, which resulted in a yellow card and Bulls’ Brandon Ugle was shown a yellow card for rough conduct in the third quarter. Despite their three-win streak, Hook said his side is bracing for a tough month of football after their taxing encounter with the Lions. “We didn’t have a bench from halfway through the third and I think that lasted until pretty much midway through the last quarter,” he said. “Our trainer was working very hard and as she was getting someone ready the next broken person came off. “Usually our depth gets tested a couple of weeks (later), but it’s going to test us next week. “Our second-tier players are really standing up at the moment though and even the third-tier players are standing up which we’re happy with.” Without coach Darrell Panizza on the sidelines, the Lions made five changes from last week’s crushing win over North Albany, with gun recruit Brock Higgins and star midfielder Declan McNamara among their list of absentees. Stephen Beal led the way for the Lions chopping off a lot of Bulls’ outlet kicks, while Joel Flick and Ryan Lazar were both reliable rebounders at half-back. Stand-in Lions coach Jarrod King said they loss was not a result of missing key players but conceded they were outclassed by a well-prepared opponent and a lack of effort around the contest was their undoing. “We were a bit undermanned but thought we covered the outs but to Mt Barker’s credit they were played some fantastic footy, they were probably a bit harder at it and a bit more intense than what we were,” King said. “Our intensity was off and our attack on the ball was off, but once we got the ball we moved it fairly well and we put in a few more young fellas in this week and they stood up.”