Lions tall forward line set to test Tigers lack of height in round seven of the Great Southern Football League

Royals will try to stretch an undersized Railways defence in their crucial round seven Great Southern Football League clash at Centennial Stadium on Saturday.

The cross-town rivals will square off in a top-of-the-table fixture, with a win to the Lions locking in top spot and a home second semifinal.

Tigers captain Bodhi Stubber, who already leads an undersized defensive unit, is away on holidays leaving the task of controlling the Lions tall timber to acting captain Haydn Sproxton.

The Lions forward line will be led by Stephen Beal, who has kicked nine goals from four matches and was best on ground in their first encounter this season.

Beal is set to be joined by fellow tall targets Chandler Askevold-McDonald and Paul Donaldson in the front half.

The Lions also have the luxury of possibly swinging Hamish McMorran into attack as the Tigers will be without star forward Matt Palfrey.

Lions coach Andrew Ruck confirmed Cameron Allison will return to the line-up.

“We have a few out and I know they do as well so I’m really looking forward to seeing lots of kids out there playing,” he said.

“It will be a good spectacle and good chance for them.

“We have the tall timber in our forward line and we will try and use that to our advantage.”

Palfrey is a big omission for the Tigers after kicking 25 goals in six games, and they will also be without injured midfielder Harry Miles.

Tigers coach Troy Leo expected to regain Henrick Alforque and Darcy Lambert.

“It’s a big challenge with a few missing but it gives someone else an opportunity,” Leo said.

“There was a few things we weren’t good at last week so we will try and fix them.

“We will need to try and respond as a group and have a lot more endeavour.”

Mt Barker will look to stay in touch with the top four when they travel to McLean Park on Saturday to face Denmark-Walpole while North Albany will host Albany in the sole Sunday fixture at Collingwood Park.