Lions secure top spot and home final, finals loom closer for Magpies and Delacey helps Kangas jump to third

North Albany have jumped up into third spot on the ladder on the back of a seven-goal haul from young star Talon Delacey against Albany in round seven of the Great Southern Football League this afternoon at Collingwood Park. The home side prevailed comfortable 20.7 (127) to 3.12 (30) winners in Scott Mackenzie’s 150th league game to help push them above Railways on percentage. The Kangas only led by 25 points at half time over a competitive Sharks outfit, enter Delacey. Delacey was closely checked by Jackson Cosh and had just 10 touches at the main break, before he turned the game on its head in the third stanza along with his teammates as they piled on 10 unanswered goals. The Kangas swung Delacey to full forward to shake the heavy tag and he had the measure over every opponent that went to play on him. He booted four goals within seven minutes throughout the third before adding a fifth after a strong pack mark on the point post and wheeling around onto his left foot to stretch the margin to 79 just before three quarter time. The Sharks put up a great fight in the last term and had plenty of scoring chances but could only manage two goals to the Kangas five, as Delacey took his tally to seven from 22 touches. Nathan Crudeli worked hard all over the ground while Rhori Williams-Jolley linked up well, Nick Barrow rebounded strongly and Jeff Fitzpatrick slotted four majors in the 97-point result. Kyle Ryder, the brother of Paddy, impressed in his Sharks debut at full back while youngster Max Baker and Red Rogers were solid contributors. Denmark-Walpole moved to second place on the ladder after their emphatic 47-point win over a very disappointing Mt Barker outfit at McLean Park on Saturday. The Bulls managed just two goals in their worst performance of the season. The loss leaves the Bulls finals hopes hanging by a thread, now two games and percentage outside the top four with three rounds to play. Magpies star Jayden Woods was the difference between the two sides, his elite skills in the midfield simply too much for the Bulls to contain while he had five shots on goal and was one of three multiple goal kickers. The home side kicked four goals to nil in the opening term and despite the Bulls kicking the only goal of the second term, through debutant Seth Jones, they were never seriously challenged. Woods kicked his second goal in the third term as the Magpies extended an 18-point advantage to 31 points by the last change and only Ryan Ballard could briefly stop the Magpies momentum in the final term as they recorded an impressive 9.16 (70) to 2.11 (23) win. Jarrod Brack (two goals) was very effective in a number of roles, Alec Haskins was outstanding in providing great drive from the middle of the ground while Ashley Smith and Brodie Reeve were also among the best for the winners. Shayne Zanetti booted two goals from 21 disposals and David Scriven was rarely beaten in defence. It was a day to forget for the Bulls with captain Peter Taylor, Cameron Quenby and Russell Wynne their best performers. Royals secured top spot and a home second semifinal with three rounds remaining after a running over the top of a persistent Tigers outfit at Centennial Stadium on Saturday afternoon. In the top-of-the-table clash the Lions had to work hard for their seventh straight win but now sit three games clear on top with three rounds remaining. After trailing by 22 points at half time the Lions came out firing in the second half booting seven unanswered goals to run out 17-point winners. The Lions booted the only four goals of the third term to take a slender two-point heading into the final term. Young Tigers forward Coen Jackman had two opportunities at the start of the last quarter to help his side regain the lead but could only manage two minor scores to level the scores. Ryan Kinnear kicked the first goal of the last term 10 minutes in to give the Lions a six-point lead and when Declan McNamara and Cooper Childs goaled it was game over, 8.11 (59) to 5.12 (42). Both sides went into the clash with a number of key players out and the Tigers got off to a flying start to put the Lions on the back foot as they booted the first four goal of the game to hold an 16-point lead at quarter time. Jackman slotted the only goal of the second term six minutes in, which would be the Tigers last goal as his side were in control at half time but couldn’t hang on. Brayden Parker had a stack of possessions and was best on ground across half back for the Lions while Kinnear and McNamara provided plenty of drive. Mitch Green was influential in the back half for the Tigers while Kane Shephard found plenty of the pill and Xavier Brenton-Reed was strong in the ruck and around the ground. Jackman finished with 2.3 for the game but was limited in the second half by Hamish McMorran who was swung onto him after the long break.