Host of inclusions help Royals snap four-game losing streak as they cruise to big win over Denmark-Walpole

A host of returning players helped Royals snap a four-game losing streak and cruise to a 90-point win over Denmark-Walpole at McLean Park on Saturday. Despite a resolute first half from the Magpies, the Lions exploded in the last two quarters to pile on 14 goals and record their fifth win of the season, 21.16 (142) to 8.4 (52). The home side were lively in the first term, hitting targets and taking uncontested marks, but the Lions held a slender three-point lead at quarter-time. The Lions’ pressure ramped up in the second quarter and they quickly extended their advantage as goals to Regan Askevold, Jayson Ford and Nic Ashford opened up a 24-point buffer. The Magpies’ structure began to unravel as the Lions continued to hurt them with their spread, and majors from Chandler Askevold-McDonald and Seb Stanton had the visitors firmly in control. However, two quick goals by the big-bodied Tyler Stone and then a superb goal on the run from Jaden Guidi cut the deficit to less than four goals at half-time. But the floodgates opened in the second half as three quick consecutive goals to Askevold, Ford and Ben Altus set the Lions on their way. The visitors booted 10 goals to the Magpies’ three to run out convincing winners. Lions coach Andrew Ruck said it was pleasing to see his side finish strongly after a hard-fought first half. “I think they (Magpies) had a few kids and I think they just fell away late in the game, so we managed to pile a few on in the third quarter and last quarter,” he said. “It was a really even spread for our players. I thought Dave Parker was pretty good and Ryan Kinnear is always around. “Young Ben Altus played one of his best games yet for us. He took a few great intercept marks at half-back and he’s one of the best kids down here.” Lions midfielders David Parker and Ryan Kinnear were damaging with their ball use, while the returning Ford (three goals) was lively offered plenty of pace and attacking pressure in the victory. Askevold led the way up front with four majors, while Ashford and Askevold-McDonald kicked three goals each. The only sour point was returning midfielder Zak Mola getting knocked out in the fourth quarter after a tackle on the cricket pitch. An under-siege Reagan Hutchinson and Michael Hammond toiled hard for the Magpies in defence. Kadan King-Davies was also impressive in the losing side, while Stone finished with four majors. Magpies player-coach Brad Nisbett said fielding five players that played reserves or colts earlier in the day proved costly in their efforts to run the game out. “The first quarter was one of our better quarters of footy throughout the year,” he said. “We probably played half a good second quarter where we managed to kick a few late ones which was pleasing. “But we just dropped away in the second half, which tends to happen most weeks.”