GSFLW 2024: Rampant Railways book prelim stoush, ending Royals’ title defence in rousing elimination final

A gritty Railways put an end to defending champions Royals’ title defence after clinching a spectacular eight-point elimination final victory under lights at Retravision Stadium on Friday. The Tigers overcame a slow start against the Lions before holding their opponents goalless through the final three quarters and taking a 3.4 (22) to 2.2 (14) triumph to book a preliminary final appearance and ending the Lions’ season. After trailing by two goals at the first break, a relentless Tigers midfield made sure they owned a majority of the field position as they slowly clawed back the deficit. Star midfielder Kathryn Slattery started the first term at full forward before she was moved into the engine room after quarter time and put on a dominant display through the guts and booted the sealer to keep their season alive. The dogged midfielder was a bully around stoppages while Ksharna Coyne provided tireless run and carry on the wing, seamlessly involved in every dangerous Tigers sequence. Chelsea Geddes offered numerous options forward of centre and was a pivotal link between the midfield and deepest lying forwards. The Lions were on song early, keeping the visitors scoreless through the opening 15 minutes while converting two majors through their forward talisman Megan Green. Geddes and Laura Featherstone-Davies then combined in quick succession in the second quarter to cut the margin to a solitary point at the main break. The Tigers continued their midfield dominance after halftime but were unable to make the most of their opportunities scoring just three behinds. Lions skipper and star intercept defender Nardia Humphries was a pillar in defence and thwarted almost every Tiger attack, however, the Tigers took a two-point advantage into the last change. When Slattery converted her first two minutes into the final stanza, the Tigers took an eight-point advantage providing an unassailable lead. Tigers’ Meg Slattery and Jessica Fenton were all prolific in their victory while ruck Katie Hartzell dominated the entire evening. Nardia Humphries was clearly the Lions’ best while Adelaide Crossing, Rachael Goetze, Taylah Burt and Narelle Humphries competed strongly.