GSFL Round 2: Mt Barker make a statement, Royals stay unbeaten and North Albany get on the board

Mt Barker have stunned the reigning premiers after a six-goal final term handed the Bulls their first win of the year with a famous 11-point triumph at Tigerland on Sunday afternoon. Railways led by 19 points at three quarter time and appeared set to record a strong win on their home turf but the Bulls had other ideas as they stormed back into the contest. The Bulls held a slender one-point lead at half time but majors from Clay Michael, Logan Stubber and Jack Steel handed the home side a game-high advantage. The fourth quarter though belonged to the determined Bulls outfit as goals from Zach Jackson and Lincoln East got them on a roll and then Jackson levelled the scores. Zak Hortin gave the Tigers a much-needed goal at the other end but his side couldn’t stop the Bulls’ momentum as majors to Keegan Berry and a third for Jackson for the term put their side in front. Berry then sealed the 8.11 (59) to 6.12 (48) victory with a terrific snap to spark the visitors’ celebrations. Jackson (four goals) broke the contest open in the last term, hauling in a number of marks and booting three goals despite being hampered by a hamstring injury. Berry was also a great contributor with two final term goals, defender Darcy Wallinger intercepted well throughout the afternoon while ruckman David Stone and ball winner Joel Gray were also influential. The Tigers led at the first change after two goals from Kane Shephard but both sides turned the ball over regularly in a sloppy second quarter. Midfielder Logan Stubber worked tirelessly all afternoon, collecting plenty of possessions and willing them forward, defenders Mitch Green and Bodhi Stubber were both solid contributors and youngster Mohit Jaggi also toiled hard for the shell-shocked Tigers. Bulls youngster Seb Ballard was dazed after a knock in the fourth quarter and was helped from the ground before he was ruled out for the rest of the match with concussion. North Albany registered their first win of the new season after a strong opening half was enough to defeat a persistent Denmark-Walpole at McLean Park on Saturday. The Kangas had a five-day break after playing on Anzac Day but rebounded strongly from that defeat with a 10-goal first half that powered them to a 30-point win. There were plenty of goals kicked early in the contest as the Kangas led by 14 points at the first change but the decisive period of the game came in the second. Small forward Brodie Sumich kicked his second major, veteran Graham Ross found the big sticks as did ruckman Josh Dallimore and goals from Ben Dickinson and Nathan Shanhun helped the Kangas surge clear by half time. The Kangas booted five goals to the home side’s one in the second as they set up a match-winning 38-point buffer. Gun midfielder Ryan Gaerth and fellow ball winner Jaden Guidi tried to will their side back into the contest and their side kicked three majors in the third while at the other end the Kangas were wasteful in front of goal as they finished with 3.7 for the quarter but still held a significant lead. Magpies forward Tyler Stone sparked life into the match early in the fourth with two majors to get his side within 30 points but the Kangas held firm on their way to a 16.12 (108) to 12.6 (78) triumph. Midfielders Jyrin Woods and Nathan Crudeli were terrific while Jonny Hegney had plenty of impact in the first half. Sumich finished with three majors for the winners while youngsters Kobi Keen, Lucas Ravenhill and Kiya Jellay all bobbed up with two goals. The Magpies booted five goals to win the final term and they won plenty of centre clearances through the likes of Gaerth, Guidi and player-coach Brad Nisbett. Gaerth was outstanding throughout while Nisbett, Stone (three goals), defender Todd Brown and ruckman Jarrod Brack were also in their better players. Royals made it two wins in as many games, running out 50-point winners with a brilliant second half performance against Albany at Retravision Stadium on Saturday. The Lions got off to a flying start as Coel Hunter kicked the first two goals for the home side with Brent Johnson and Joel Flick also hitting the scoreboard. Sharks’ Brett Peake answered back with two of his own in the first and the Lions led by only 11 points at half time. However the Lions kicked clear in the third term and finished with an eight-goal to two second half, on their way to a big win 13.11 (89) to 5.9 (39). Hayden Johnson kicked two goals in the space of two minutes to start the Lions’ third-quarter blitz and majors from Jayson Ford and Seb Stanton opened up a 31-point advantage. Matthew Martin kicked the Sharks only goal of the third term but his side was no match for the Lions in the last as they sealed the result with four more goals. For the Lions, Zak Mola capped a terrific game in the midfield with two majors, captain Brayden Parker was outstanding across half-back while Mackenzie Batten was also vital. Ford (two goals) put the cherry on top for the Lions with a spectacular goal 45m out on a tight angle after the siren while Flick, Hayden Johnson and Hunter also finished as multiple goal kickers. The Sharks were best served by key defender Kane Pinney, midfielder Isaac Baum and Kieran Zilm while Martin and Peake kicked two apiece.