Royals charge to 10 straight wins with mauling of Kangas

Royals tuned up for the finals with a confidence-boosting 83-point win, thrashing North Albany in the final round of the Great Southern Football League season on Sunday afternoon at Collingwood Park. The Lions marched to a 10th straight win and have an unblemished record this season, as they prepare to host the same opponent in week one of the shortened finals series. Jayson Ford was extremely damaging in a midfield role to help set up victory while Brody Ogle and Rivah Bocian combined for seven goals in the forward half. The Kangas entered the match in third position on the ladder and could have avoided a repeat clash with the red-hot Lions if they were to win or get within five goals of their opponents. The Lions kicked the only two goals of the first term before Kangas captain Luke Cameron got his side on the board early in the second quarter. However, the home side’s ill-discipline in the second term proved their downfall as the Lions broke the game open with the next five goals. Declan McNamara kicked his first goal and before the ball returned to the centre to be bounced, the Kangas gave away a free kick in their defensive 50m and Bocian converted. Addison Dew was yellow carded and another free kick was awarded to the Lions before Harry Smith made late contact nearing half-time, which gifted Bocian his third major from a down-the-ground free. The Lions led by 45 points at the long break and goals to Ogle, Nathan Powell and then Coel Hunter effectively ended the contest midway through the third stanza. Ford was well supported by defensive duo Ryan Flick and Hamish McMorran while Tom Maslen helped limit the impact of Kangas star Talon Delacey as the Lions won easily, 15.15 (105) to 3.4 (22). Declan McNamara (two goals) spent time across half-back but was again influential along with midfielder Cameron Allison. Lions coach Andrew Ruck was delighted with a couple of key areas of the game. “We moved the ball really well and our boys were good with their off-the-ball stuff, the blocks and shepherding,” Ruck said. “Our front-half pressure was outstanding and we’ve given up three goals, one from a silly free, against a team like that with some real quality. They are a proud club and they’ll come out firing next week no doubt.” Delacey had 20 possessions but lacked his usual impact and James Langridge broke his thumb. Young ruckman Aden Castlehow took another step forward while Nathan Crudeli had 23 touches and was joined in the Kangas’ best players by Dew and Graham Ross. Michael Trevenen, the 2018 Alan Barnett medallist, returned to play his first league game since he was part of the Kangas’ successful grand final team that year. Kangas coach Leigh Hislop said their discipline let them down. “Royals were too good; they’ve been the benchmark and we have to go back to the drawing board,” he said.