Lions pair share in winning milestones

It was all smiles for Royals milestone men Mitch Curnow and Dave Parker as their side thumped Albany by 112 points at Centennial Stadium on Sunday in round 12 of the Great Southern Football League.

In Curnow’s record-breaking 237th league game for the Lions and Dave Parker’s 150th league appearance, the Lions sprung out of the gates early as returning big man Stephen Beal kicked two goals within three minutes before his side piled on another five unanswered goals to lead by 50 points at the first change.

Beal quickly added his third under a minute into the second term and when dangerous forward Corey Ward kicked his third major the margin had ballooned to 69 points. The Sharks kicked three of the last five goals, two of which came from Kieran Gowdie but they were still a long way behind.

It was a fighting third term from the Sharks as they limited the damage, reducing the Lions to three goals and kicking one of their own but the margin had extended to 77 points.

The last quarter belonged to the milestone men as Curnow and Dave Parker both kicked goals. Dave Parker was everywhere in the 22.17 (149) to 6.1 (37) win while Michael McGlade, Tom Maslen and Corey Ward were also solid with Beal and Steven Edwards kicking four goals each.

“The first quarter was clinical,” Lions coach Andrew Ruck said.

“There was a couple of really good moments, a good way to celebrate two big efforts.”

In a disappointing afternoon for the Sharks, Coen Marwick worked tirelessly, Dylan Gowdie battled hard in defence and Robbie Lee, Taj Williams and Fraser Eaton also played well.

Jake Duperouzel failed to finish the game, stretchered off with a dislocated knee and four other players finished with injuries.

Sharks coach Kim Mayfield said Duperouzel was unlikely to play again this year and admitted it was a battle to keep his side motivated after losing their past 11 games, the most recent loss their heaviest defeat of 2019.