Reigning premiers Royals will face Railways in a grand final rematch that headlines round two of the Great Southern Football League

Fierce cross-town rivals Royals and Railways will face off in a grand final rematch that headlines round two of the Great Southern Football League at Tigerland on Sunday. Both sides enter the clash with a handful of changes to the teams that ran out in the decider last year but this early-season clash still promises plenty. The Lions won four of their five matches against the Tigers last season, their only defeat coming at the Tigers’ home ground in the corresponding fixture. The Lions have lost key defender Braden Murphy to a medial knee injury while Coel Hunter is away holidaying. They regain tall target Stephen Beal while Brandon Elliot and Chandler Askevold-McDonald are in the mix for league selection. Lions coach Andrew Ruck said it looked like being an intriguing clash. “Hopefully we aren’t as rusty as last week, it looks like the weather could play a role on Sunday,” he said. “The only game we lost last year was over there (Tigerland), so we are looking forward to it.” The Tigers have lost young defender Ethan Rowe who is away on holidays and Matt Van Schayk but star Craig Frost and wingman Dylan Schorer are set to return. Tigers coach Troy Leo said his side was ready to tackle its grand final opponents. “They are the side to beat again, so we are looking forward to the challenge,” Leo said. “It will be a really good test for us early on. “We will need to play a full four quarters if we want to beat them.” North Albany will be after a better start than round one after conceding 11 goals in the opening half in their loss to Railways. It was their first match under new coach Leigh Hislop but the side will be buoyed by their strong finish— they booted eight goals in the final term. Albany host the Kangas at Centennial Stadium on Sunday afternoon. They fielded a young side last week and were without boom recruit Cameron Jones. In the sole Saturday fixture, Mt Barker host an exciting Denmark-Walpole outfit at Sounness Park.