GSFL round 5: Jackson stars again as Bulls hold off Kangas late while Tigers and Lions coast to big victories

Royals recorded their biggest win of the season, thrashing Denmark-Walpole by 129 points at Retravision Stadium on Sunday to remain in the top two of the Great Southern Football League ladder. The Lions burst out of the blocks early and never faltered from there, booting 12 second-half goals to keep the Magpies winless in 2022. Three goals to Seb Stanton and a major each to Chandler Askevold-McDonald and Sam Holmes opened up a commanding 34-point lead at the first break. The Magpies rallied early in the second quarter and two goals to Cody Kerr and a one to Tyrone Kennedy helped the visitors trim the margin to 28 points but the Lions had all the answers. The Lions responded with five goals to end the first half as they led by 48 points. The Magpies were slow to return to the field for the start of the second half and it was all downhill from there as they lack of fitness again played a part. The Lions erupted in the third term, kicking nine consecutive goals to push the margin to triple figures heading into the final stanza. Goals to Coel Hunter, Hamish McMorran and debutant Ryan Lazar put the cherry on top for the home side in the final term as they coasted to a massive win, 22.24 (156) to 4.3 (27). Returning big man Holmes was tremendous for the home side, taking contested marks and winning plenty of clearances as he spent time both forward and in the midfield. He was adjudged best on ground by the umpires in Belt-Up Round. Lions star Zak Mola collected a ton of possessions in the midfield and was among the best as well as defensive brick McMorran and dynamic forward Stanton (four goals). Hunter finished with four goals while Tyreice Brown was electric, kicking three goals in a classy display across the ground. Player-coach Brad Nisbett was sound in defeat for the Magpies midfield along with Michael Hammond, Ryan Gaerth and Kennedy but they slumped to a fifth straight loss. Mt Barker held off a late North Albany fightback to win their third game of the season, escaping with a 14-point result at Sounness Park on Saturday. The Kangas trailed by 21 points at the final change but an unlikely victory was on the cards after two goals from key forward Graham Ross and another major to Taj Williams early in the fourth. Josh Price gave the Bulls a steadying goal but when Nathan Crudeli launched a long set shot that sailed through, the Kangas trailed by just seven points. Both sides attacked with flair in the final stanza, as the game completely opened up, and it took a terrific snap from Bulls youngster Camball McMahon to finally snuff out the Kangas. McMahon booted the sealer from close range, as the Bulls clung on 11.19 (85) to 11.5 (71) in a pulsating final term. Bulls star Zach Jackson was again highly influential with six goals playing mainly as a forward to receive the Belt-Up Round match ball from the umpires. However, Jackson was one of the culprits in front of goal, missing several shots as again wayward kicking threatened to cost the Bulls victory. The Bulls dominated the first quarter but kicked 2.5 and led by 10 points and the Kangas hit back in the second as they kicked four goals to three to pull the deficit back to seven points at half-time. Intercept defender Lee Pavlovich was outstanding for the home side while midfielder Scott Price, youngster Darcy Wallinger and ball magnet Joel Gray were also among their better players. Crudeli won a stack of clearances and possessions around the stoppages to be the Kangas best performer while Ross booted five goals in another strong display in the forward half. Williams (four goals), Jarrad McDowell and Jyrin Woods were also influential for the visitors, who fell short despite a strong final term for the second consecutive week. Railways continued their hot form on Saturday, producing a formidable second half to hammer Albany by 95 points at Tigerland. The Tigers started the contest brilliantly, suffocating the Sharks with their tackling pressure while winning a stack of contested possessions to set the tone early. The Sharks responded well in the second term to trim the margin to 21 points but the Tigers shifted into another gear in the second half, booting 10 unanswered goals on their way to an empathic victory, 18.15 (123) to 4.4 (28). Tigers defender Leighton Smith was terrific in his lockdown role on Sharks star Brett Peake, not allowing the former AFL player any space and keeping him to only one first-quarter goal. Ryan Davies was also outstanding, tackling hard and winning hard balls all afternoon through the midfield and won the Belt-Up Round match ball as a result of his efforts. Tigers forward Matt Palfrey put in another fantastic performance, playing throughout the midfield and forward line and booted three goals. Youngster Jake Hunter kicked a bag of four for the home side, including three in the last quarter. Key forward Zak Hortin also made a strong return to the side with three majors and teammate Kane Shephard also booted three in a lively display. Sharks centre-half back Kane Pinney was excellent in the losing side, intercepting a host of possessions. Fraser Eaton toiled hard in the midfield all afternoon.