Lions win wet slog to remain unbeaten, Tigers too good on anniversary day and Ash McGrath’s big return

Royals overcame atrocious conditions to record their 32 straight victory, proving too strong for Mt Barker at a rain-soaked Centennial Stadium today. In a wet finish to round six of the Great Southern Football League, the Lions held the Bulls scoreless for three quarters on their way to a sixth successive win this season. It took 18 minutes for the first major of the game to be secured through a scrambled kick from Ryan Flick before late goals to Rivah Bocian and Carson Flower helped the Lions open up a significant 23-point lead in the conditions. In a dour second term the Lions managed the only score, a behind to Bocian, as they went into half time 24 points up. The home side then had the first five goals of the contest when Cameron Allison and Brandon Elliott found the big sticks as their side skipped 39 points clear by three quarter time. Brent Johnson put the Lions even further ahead in the fourth stanza before the Bulls finally hit the scoreboard through Dylan Gowdie. Gowdie ended a long drought for the visitors when he marked in the goal square and converted to secure the Bulls first goal and first score of the game 13 minutes into the last term. The Lions juggernaut rolled on however as Allison produced another terrific display as an inside midfielder for the winners and he was well supported by Lorcan McNamara across half-back while brothers David and Brayden Parker and tall Chandler Askevold-McDonald also had a strong influence on the outcome. In driving rain for much of the afternoon the Lions were a cut above in the conditions as they won 6.9 (45) to 1.1 (7). Veteran Sam Lehmann battled hard all day for the Bulls while youngster Seb Ballard, who played alongside his older brother Tristan and father Ryan, was terrific in a number of roles. Railways claimed an important victory on a day their club celebrated 75 years, easily accounting for North Albany at Tigerland yesterday. The Tigers celebrated their major anniversary with a convincing 61-point win after booting eight goals to four after the main break. The home side kicked the first four goals of the game and led by 20 points at the opening change. Matt Palfrey kicked his second goal to start the second term before Mohit Jaggi converted to push the margin to 32. However Jeff Fitzpatrick was awarded a free kick and kicked a much needed goal for the Kangas on the verge of half time. The margin was out beyond 40 points early in the third before the Kangas responded with two majors of their own in a row to trim the deficit back to 33 points. Five goals in the final term, including a third to Palfrey, sealed the 14.17 (101) to 6.4 (40) victory. The Tigers inaccuracy prevented the final margin from being even greater, as they kicked 2.7 in a wasteful second quarter. Midfielder Jayden Scott was very good through the middle of the ground, Logan Stubber again played a large hand in win while defender Bodhi Stubber, Palfrey (3.3) and Kane Shephard (two goals) were also solid in the Tigers fourth straight victory. Fitzpatrick was the only multiple goal kicker for the visitors with two, Jacob Crowe worked tirelessly all day and young pair Taj Williams, Rhori Williams-Jolley were also strong contributors. The Kangas were decimated by injury in the loss with Dustin Boyce (ankle), Mitch Woods (ankle), Taj Williams (groin) and Nick Barrow (quad) all not finishing the game. A seven-goal haul from former AFL star Ash McGrath in his return to Denmark-Walpole colours inspired the Magpies to a 54-point win over Albany at McLean Park on Saturday. McGrath was the boom recruit in the Great Southern Football League last year and kicked 13 goals in four matches before having surgery on his troublesome shoulder. Magpies coach Alan Smallwood said on the eve of this season that he hadn’t spoken with the 214-game Brisbane Lions forward and it was unlikely he will play for the club. McGrath remained cleared to the Magpies and made his first appearance of 2021 in round six and had three majors by half time. The Magpies kicked six goals in the opening term and by half time had opened up a 29-point advantage over the visitors. McGrath booted four majors in the second half as the home side ran out comfortable winners, 18.12 (120) to 9.12 (66). The Magpies kicked four goals to one in the third term as the margin neared 50 points and despite the Sharks fighting hard with three goals in the final term they slipped to a fourth straight defeat. Big-bodied Magpie Kaden King-Davies was outstanding in his side’s third win of the season while Tyler Stone was a constant headache for the Sharks. Cody Kerr compliment McGrath up forward with three goals while Ash Smith and Tom Candy were also valuable contributors. The Sharks were best served by hard-running wingman Robbie Lee and midfielder Cameron Jones. Ex-AFL player Brett Peake kicked two majors while young forward Connor McCandless impressed with three goals.