Injury concerns for Royals ahead of crunch top four GSFL clash with Mt Barker side chasing seven straight

Royals coach Andrew Ruck believes a fast start could be the key to upsetting a red-hot Mt Barker in round 11 of the Great Southern Football League on Saturday. This weekend’s fixtures will be part of Think Mental Health Round, played across the State to improve mental health and wellbeing within football clubs. The Lions welcomed back talented duo Zak Mola and Jayson Ford, captain Brayden Parker and Kleemann medallist Cameron Allison in their crushing 90-point win over Denmark-Walpole last week. Mola’s return was soured after he was knocked out following a tackle on the cricket pitch, while Brandon Elliot broke his hand in the clash. Mola (concussion), Elliott (hand) and Joel Flick (quad) are all expected to miss the clash with the Bulls. The Lions will regain versatile defender Hamish McMorran. “I think it’s going to rain and the last time we played them in the rain it was quite a good game,” Ruck said. “We coughed up four early goals but we were coming hard late, so I think the hardest part up there (Sounness Park) is trying to start quick and if we can do that, hopefully we’re in the game at three-quarter time. “We have to try and put on as much pressure as we can to test out their midfield and forwards and see how they go. “They’ve got a few blokes that we’re going to have to put some time into, especially with McMorran coming back. “They have some really quality players; hopefully we can get them on the back foot early.” Bulls coach David Johnson said he was looking forward to facing a hungry Lions side, with a couple of players set to return to the line-up. “It’s always great to test yourself against the two Albany sides, that’s for sure,” he said. “We certainly know that if we don’t bring our A-game it will be difficult to win, so we’ll prepare really well and try to get the match-ups right and hopefully we can take that forward into this weekend. “We’re hoping to get a couple back; we’re looking for Chris Marston to return and Seb Ballard will come back in. “Sam Lehmann will hopefully return and Brent Parsons will come in pending Swan Districts.” The Bulls are currently locked in a battle with Railways for top spot and will be out to win their seventh straight game. “It’s a danger game but we just hope to be really competitive and if we bring our best game we know it’s good enough,” Johnson said. “Our game plan to counteract their game style is pretty good but we just have to make sure everyone’s on the same page at the same time.” Albany will host the Magpies in the other Saturday fixture in round 10, while on Sunday it will be North Albany and the Tigers facing off at Collingwood Park.