GSFL 2024: Red-hot Mt Barker strangle Royals, Railways too strong at home and Peake fires in Albany demolition

Three teams are locked on four wins and two losses as Albany moved a game clear at the top ladder in the 2024 Great Southern Football League competition after six rounds. Mt Barker and Railways each notched strong home victories on Saturday and sit on 16 premiership points alongside Royals, the trio separated only by percentage. The Bulls’ six-goal second-quarter blitz helped them secure an impressive 37-point win over an undermanned Royals at Sounness Park on Saturday. After notching 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. 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. 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. 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, who was leading the GSFL Coaches Player of the Year voting heading into the round, 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. Despite the wind’s continued influence in the second half, the Bulls were resolute in defence and their ravenous stoppage game, again a key feature of their performance. Zach Jackson extended his side’s lead almost immediately after half time with his third major before the Lions’ Jaiden Mole (three goals) booted their only goal of the last half moments later. 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. Both sides suffered some big losses throughout the taxing encounter with Lions’ Zak Mola forced from the field early in the second after a dangerous tackle from Mitch Jackson, which resulted in a yellow card. Darcy Lubcke suffered a hamstring injury in the first and Sam Lehmann was removed in the third with a broken collar bone while Bulls teammate Brandon Ugle was shown a yellow card for rough conduct in the third quarter. Meanwhile the Tigers produced a sublime third quarter on their way to a comfortable 44-point win over the Kangas at Tigerland. The margin appeared destined to finish beyond 100 points as the home side put the fifth placed Kangas to the sword with seven unanswered goals in a clinical third term. Star ball winners Ryley Valli and Bailey Bennett were in dominant form again, as they helped the Tigers get a fast start with the first five goals of the game. The Tigers kicked with the aid of a strong breeze in the opening term but two goals from Bennett and two from player-coach Bodhi Stubber gave them a 34-point half time buffer. The Kangas started to win some of their own ball in the second term but they didn’t make the most of the breeze and the Tigers kicked the final two majors of the first half to maintain their ascendancy. The third term was all one way traffic, as the home side bullied their opponents around the stoppages and were rewarded forward of centre. Young key forward Brock Lathbury kicked three goals, including a brilliant snap from the pocket, Stubber added his fourth and fifth of the game while the relentless Bennett and Valli also added majors. However the Kangas were determined to restore some pride in the fourth and they kicked six goals in a row to at one stage get the margin under seven goals. Kangas pair Jyrin Woods and David Spangenberg booted two goals each in the visitors’ free-flowing run but a steadying major from Tigers 100-gamer Shane Braimbridge solidified the 19.15 (129) to 13.7 (85) victory. Valli continued his superb season with another best-afield display, racking up possessions at will and kicking two goals. Bennett (four goals) was also superb, his line-breaking run and clean skills on show in the opening half, while Stubber booted five majors and defensive pair Leighton Smith and Beau Ewen were rock solid. Kangas junior and now West Coast Eagles WAFL player Rhett Lloyd was a welcomed inclusion for the visitors and he won plenty of ball while Jyrin Woods (three), Kobi Keen, Brandon Woods (two) and Angus McKercher were also influential. With a host of changes prior to the Tigers clash, the Kangas also had to contend with the late withdrawal of Barry Roberts and then lost Christoff Cronje to an ankle injury in the second term. In the other round six fixture, a wayward Sharks cemented top spot on the ladder after taking care of the winless Denmark-Walpole by 111 points at Retravision Stadium on Saturday. The Sharks again overcame inaccuracy in front of goal, which has marred their stellar start to the season, to defeat the Magpies 21.21 (147) to 5.6 (36). The last time the Sharks converted more goals than behinds was in round one against the same opponents when they won by 112 points. Star forward Brett Peake had a field day forward of centre booting a game-high six majors, extending his lead at the top of the Sean Plaisted trophy leaderboard. The hosts dominated from the opening bounce with five first-quarter goals to the Magpies’ one, before holding the visitors goalless in the third. The Sharks really turned the screws in the last quarter, booting nine goals from 15 scoring shots to round out a consummate home victory. Isaac Baum (two goals) was superb for the home side while Bryce Blaszkow, Taj Williams and Jack Day also served the winners well. Max Baker and Bailey Taylor were their other main avenues to goal with three majors each. Marlon Mastalerz, Banjo Watkins and Reagan Hutchinson fought hard for the visitors, while Tyler Stone (two goals) was as reliable as ever and was their only multiple goalkicker.