Lions mark milestones with big win

Royals have marked a milestone afternoon for Mitch Curnow and Dave Parker with a 112-point belting of Albany at Centennial Stadium this afternoon.

In Curnow’s record-breaking 237th league game for the Lions and Dave Parker’s 150th league appearance in the same colours, the Lions were 50 points up at quarter time as they kicked seven unanswered goals two of which came from big man Stephen Beal in his return.

The Sharks kicked three goals in the second term as they tried to get themselves back into the contest but were staring at a 65-point deficit by the main break.

The Lions won the third term to extended their advantage but the last term belonged the milestone men.

Curnow kicked a goal as every teammate on the ground got to him to celebrate before the 150-gamer slotted a running snap to bring the house down.

Dave Parker was everywhere in the 22.17 (149) to 6.1 (37) win while Michael McGlade, Tom Maslen, Corey Ward and Steven Edwards (four goals) were also solid.

In a disappointing afternoon for the Sharks, Coen Marwick worked tirelessly for the whole match, Dylan Gowdie battled hard in defence and Taj Williams found plenty of the ball.

Jake Duperouzel failed to finish the game after being stretched off with a dislocated knee.

North Albany have returned to the winners list, moving a game clear in third place as a result of their 38-point win over Denmark-Walpole at Collingwood Park today.

A six-goal to one first quarter proved the telling period of the game as the Kangas led by 29 points at the the first break.

Led by hard-running midfielder pair Nathan Crudeli and Matt Orzel along with wingman Alex Pearce the Kangas were able to withstand two challenges from the Magpies in the second half.

The Magpies had the first two goals after half time, two long bombs from right on 50m arc from Tyler Stone to bring the margin back to 24 points but the Kangas steadied the ship.

With their season on the line the Magpies stormed back into the game once again as they had the first two majors of the last on the board.

However the Kangas were never really unsettled as they finished winners, 14.11 (95) to 8.9 (57), with Jyrin Woods booting four goals.

The only concern for the Kangas was a bad concussion to Nic Barrow in the second quarter.

The fixture paid tribute to the late Benno Napier, a former Magpies player and Jono Woods, who is still playing in his 50s having been a terrific servant of both clubs at senior level.

Magpies star Stone was awarded the Benno Napier Medal for his impressive game that yielded four goals while co-coach Ryan Gaerth, Lee Gropp and Alec Haskins were among their better contributors.

Yesterday at Sounness Park, a youthful Railways side coasted to a 63-point victory over Mt Barker to guarantee a top two finish.

With a number of key players out the Tigers played a host of youngsters and the move paid off as they ran the Bulls off their feet in the second half with 10 goals to two.

The margin was 14 points at half time but Tigers spearhead Zak Hortin, damaging midfielder Logan Stubber and new recruit Trent Bradshaw each kicked two goals in the third term to break the game open.

Hortin finished with five goals, all opposed to Adam Tissott, while Craig Frost was best afield and Stubber was not far behind him.

Bradshaw booted three majors and mobile big man Kenton Gibbs was influential again as the Tigers won easily 16.12 (108) to 6.9 (45).

On a day their club celebrated 25 years veteran Sam Lehmann was again a shining light, Jesse Wynne worked hard across the four quarters and Lee Pavlovich was their only multiple goal kicker.