Railways celebrate first league premiership since 2013 after upset grand final win over arch rival Royals

Railways produced a superb third quarter to lift themselves to premiership glory, upsetting Royals in the Great Southern Football League grand final at McLean Park this afternoon. The Tigers won their first league premiership since 2013, as they stormed over the top of the Lions in the second half to win in front of a big crowd on neutral ground. Matt Palfrey won his second Alan Barnett Medal, having previously won the honour in the Tigers 2013 flag triumph, while veteran forward Zak Hortin produced one of his best games on the biggest stage with five majors as the yellow and black supporters stormed the ground on the final siren as their side ended a run of three losing grand finals. After leaping out of the blocks in the first term, mainly thanks to four goals from key forward Hortin, the Tigers coughed up their lead in the second as the Lions regained control. Hamish McMorran kicked his third while goals to Seb Stanton and Steven Edwards shot the Lions ahead by three points at the main break. The third quarter however was the decisive period in the game as the Tigers got on top in the middle of the ground and punished their opponents on the scoreboard, slamming on six goals. Jayden Scott put the Tigers ahead by four points and then a 50m penalty gave Kane Shephard his second of the game. Matt Van Schayk put the Tigers 15 points up but Edwards got an immediate reply at the other end. The Tigers kicked the next three however to snatch the game from the Lions grasp, as Mitch Green slotted a lovely goal on the run which was followed by a freak Shephard snap and then a clever finish from Joel Want. Jayson Ford, who was well held all day, bobbed up to kick a late goal that trimmed the deficit to 23 points but the Tigers had the momentum going into the final term. Shephard, who had injured a hamstring, was playing as a deep forward and added his fourth early in the final stanza before Jordan Heil answered for the Lions. A successful set shot from Coen Jackman pushed the deficit back to 28 points and Scott made it even more difficult for the Lions when he goaled to stretch the margin to 34 points. Capping a stellar game, where he played mainly as a midfielder, Palfrey kicked a wonderful goal to all but seal victory and put the Tigers 39 points up. The Lions kicked the final two goals of the game through Stephen Beal and Brayden Parker but it was too little too late as the Tigers prevailed, 17.10 (112) to 12.12 (84), sparkling jubilant scenes among their supporters in the post-match. Palfrey finished with 23 disposals and a final term goal, a fitting winner of his second Barnett Medal, as he changed the game in the middle with brunt clearance work. Hortin had five goals by half time and was a constant threat in attack for the winners and Shephard was vital with his four majors. Craig Frost and Mitch Green were both superb in the midfield to taste premiership success for the first time with the Tigers and they were also well served by Joel Want, Dylan Schorer and Xavier Brenton-Reed. Scott was red carded for striking in the final quarter and there was plenty of feeling in then decider, tempers boiling over on more than one occasion. Lions skipper Brayden Parker was terrific in a losing affair, providing great drive from half-back and spent periods in the midfield, and he was well supported by defenders Brett Hooper and Braden Murphy. Ball winner Michael McGlade worked tirelessly across the four quarters but his fellow midfielders were beaten on the day, including Kleemann medallist Cameron Allison. Hamish McMorran was a focal point in attack and after three goals in the first half Tigers skipper Bodhi Stubber was moved to him to try and quell his influence while Steven Edwards (two goals) and Corey Ward were also important contributors for the Lions. Beal was checked for concussion after a hit in the first quarter and did return late in the game but missed vital minutes in the middle period of the game. The Tigers lost Harry Hordacre to a hamstring injury and Ryan Davies to concussion. The Lions claimed their third straight colts premiership after eclipsing North Albany by 48 points in the decider earlier in the day. After leading by 18 points at the main break, the Lions booted six goals to one in the second half to prevail comfortable 13.11 (89) to 5.11 (41) victors. Saxon Henrickson won the Panizza Brothers Medal for best on ground after booting five goals. The Lions won their first reserves grand final since 2017 after downing the Tigers, 11.16 (82) to 5.7 (37). The Tigers secured their first sixteens premiership since 2016 after running out 7.9 (51) to 5.2 (32) winners over the Lions.