Mt Barker remain in the finals hunt with two rounds to play after upsetting second-placed Railways

Mt Barker coach David Johnson said his side’s upset 15-point victory over Railways was “huge” in the race for a spot in the top four. The Bulls caused the upset of the season at Tigerland on Saturday and moved within one game of the fourth-placed Sharks heading into the final two rounds, with the pair to face off in a defining clash this Saturday. The Tigers slipped to their second straight loss after they failed to match a powerful seven-goal third term from the visitors. The third term was a vital period in the game as the Bulls prevailed 12.8 (80) to 9.11 (65) to record their fourth of the season and significantly boost their finals hopes. “It was a relief that we finally played four quarters to our potential; I thought our effort and our intensity around the ball was as good as it’s been,” Johnson said. “It’s a really important win. “We talked about we can’t rely on those other sides and we need to have some form. “To knock off Railways is a huge win. “The third quarter was huge; they only had one inside-50 to 18, and our back half was really strong.” The Tigers led by eight points at half-time and pushed that to 14 early in the third stanza after Kane Shephard converted from the goal square, but a yellow card to captain Bodhi Stubber for a sling tackle on Sebastian Ballard was the beginning of the home side’s downfall. The Bulls kicked the next seven goals of the quarter to take a game-high 29-point lead into the final change. Sam Lehmann and Rhys Hogg got the margin back to two points before Keegan Berry put the visitors up midway through the third. It was all the Bulls from that point on in the third stanza but they lost Bryce Blaszkow to concussion as a result of a heavy tackle. Tigers star Logan Stubber tried to lift his side in the final term and he kicked the first two goals to reduce the deficit to 16 points before a steadying goal from the Bulls. The major came after the Tigers were penalised for a deliberate rushed behind and it halted the home side’s momentum. Midway through the last Logan Stubber snapped his third major but the Bulls dug deep to claim a memorable victory. Former AFL player Nathan Krakouer was terrific across half back finishing with 26 disposals and he was one of a number of Bulls who had a large influence on the game. The Bulls also had great contributions from defenders Tristan Ballard and Jack Horrocks and midfielder Scott Price (19 touches) was also vital in the win. Logan Stubber (23 disposals and three goals) was one of the Tigers best players along with defender Harry Hordacre and ruckman Xavier Brenton-Reed. Matt Palfrey went goalless for the second week in a row but did take a wonderful aerial mark over Krakouer in the first term. “They were far superior and our work rate dropped away,” Tigers coach Mark Bayliss said. “They dominated the midfield and we have dropped the ball at the moment.”