Lions roar to give Kinnear a fitting milestone

Royals have given veteran Ryan Kinnear a 200th game to remember on Saturday after recording a thrilling upset over defending premiers North Albany, with the match decided in the dying seconds at Centennial Stadium.

The Kangas led by eight points twice in the final term before goals from Andrew Ruck and Brayden Parker helped the Lions hit the lead, in front of a vocal home crowd that included players from their club’s 1987-88 premiership reunion, which was being held.

Parker’s long set shot put the home side four points up with less than six minutes to play but the Kangas kept coming as they pressed for a match-winner in the dying moments.

A rushed snap from youngster Ted Batchelor made it three points and then with less than 40 seconds on the clock, the Kangas were awarded a free kick for holding the ball, with skipper Graham Ross going back to take the set shot 35m out on an angle.

His shot, however, was off to the right and the siren sounded, sending the Lions into jubilation as they held on for a remarkable two-point win in Kinnear’s milestone match.

The decorated wingman was chaired off, with both sides lining up to applaud his achievement before an emotional rendition of the Lions’ song rang out in their rooms celebrating the 9.5 (59) to 8.9 (57) triumph.

Lions coach James McRae said it was a fantastic moment for such a respected player in the Great Southern Football League.

“It was fantastic for Ryano and fantastic for the club,” McRae said.

“We always thought if we could stay in the game long enough we could cause an upset, and to the guys’ credit they kept competing and gave themselves an opportunity to win.

“I thought our turnaround (in form) was two or three weeks ago but we are getting better, getting some personnel back and we think we can do some damage in the last six games.”

Experienced big man Andrew Ruck was highly influential all day, taking some strong marks and kicking three vital goals to go with some impressive ruck work in the final term.

Recruit Cameron Allison continues to grow through the midfield for his new club, while Corey Ward and Henry Hodge were also terrific.

The Lions led at quarter-time before the Kangas stormed into the lead with five goals to nil in the second term, led by Michael Trevenen and Matt Orzel.

Nic Barrow kicked two majors in the second term to cap a busy term, but their side then went scoreless in the third and managed just two goals after half-time.

Trevenen was outstanding for the Kangas, and Orzel also won a stack of the ball, while Adam Ditchburn and Regan Lloyd were solid in defence.

Kangas coach Craig Dew said it was his side’s most disappointing performance of the season.

“We were flat, we lacked intensity at the contest and refused to man up on their outside runners,” Dew said.

“It was a really disappointing day for our club — we were awful.

“In the last when the game is there to be won, we went down the line, which is not us and we gave away some silly frees.”

It was the first time the Lions had beaten the Kangas since 2015, ending a nine-game losing streak.