Midfield depth and class performers help Lions into third straight Great Southern Football League grand final

Royals coach Andrew Ruck said his side’s midfield depth and class performers were key reasons for their commanding 52-point victory over Railways in the second semifinal at Centennial Stadium on Saturday. The Lions marched to a third straight Great Southern Football League grand final as they easily disposed of their arch rival, 12.19 (91) to 6.3 (39). Ruck-forward Stephen Beal dominated in the middle and kicked four goals while star Steven Edwards had some pivotal moments and midfielders David Parker and Cameron Allison ran rampant yet again. Hamish McMorran and Corey Ward were dynamic in the front half for the home side. “Our ability to throw an extra couple through the midfield helped,” Lions coach Andrew Ruck said. “That little bit of class from Ward, Edwards and McMorran was a factor as well. “Our attitude at the club is you’ve got to give the players a bit of freedom to play footy and have some fun and that is what we are doing. “We are ecstatic to be in a grand final again.” However, the win came at a significant cost with Declan McNamara seriously hurting his knee while captain Brayden Parker limped to the bench with what appeared to be a hamstring injury in the final quarter. The margin could have been far greater if not for poor kicking in front of goal from the home side and they secured a berth in this year’s decider without star playmaker Jayson Ford, who missed with a shoulder injury. His omission had little effect, however, as they had too many attacking options and their midfield wore the Tigers down from the midway point of the second quarter. The Tigers hit the front briefly in the second term when Matt Palfrey kicked back-to-back goals but the Lions responded with the next three to take a 17-point buffer into half-time. McMorran was a terrific presence up forward for the home side and slotted his third major to push the deficit beyond four goals in the third stanza before Seb Stanton kicked truly to make it 33 points. A late Coen Jackman goal reduced the margin to 27 points at the last break but the Lions finished strongly as youngster Ryley Valli booted a terrific goal and Beal kicked the last three majors of the game to seal the finals win. Beal finished with four goals and was a towering figure all day, David Parker and Allison (27 disposals) won countless clearances and McMorran kicked 3.3. The Tigers, who were outplayed in a number of areas, lost the inside-50 count 28-45 and will now have to rebound in the preliminary final against Albany to get another crack at the Lions. Palfrey (21 disposals and seven marks) played a superb opening half and kept the visitors in the game with three goals but, like his team, faded in the second half. Craig Frost, Joel Want and Kane Shephard toiled hard for the Tigers, who lost Harry Hordacre to an ankle injury. “When it got willing we were found wanting,” Tigers coach Mark Bayliss said. “The pressure they applied forced rushed disposals and we made ordinary decisions at vital stages. “Our confidence was down today and it was an ordinary performance but we’ll regroup and bounce back.”