Royals power in GSFL grand final after eclipsing North Albany

Royals progressed to their second straight Great Southern Football League grand final after they ran out 43-point winners in today’s preliminary final at Centennial Stadium. The Lions will host next week’s decider after they held the Kangas scoreless in the final term and will now await the outcome of tomorrow’s preliminary final between Railways and Denmark-Walpole to determine their opponent. After kicking two goals in the opening term, the Lions opened up a 14-point buffer at half time thanks to majors from Brayden Parker, Brody Ogle and Tom Maslen. Stephen Beal pushed the margin to 21 points in the third term for the home side but the Kangas found a way to remain in the contest and when Jack McPhee kicked a much-needed goal the deficit was back under three goals. With only a 15-point margin in favour of the Lions at the final change it was very much still game on. However the classy Lions proved far too strong as they kicked four unanswered goals to ensure they will get a crack at back-to-back premierships next Saturday. Rivah Bocian bounced through the first goal of the fourth and then Nathan Powell ended any slim Kangas hope, the reigning premiers cruising to a 10.10 (70) to 4.3 (27) win. Declan McNamara was outstanding through the midfield and Brayden Parker was allowed to roam free in the first half, his two goals from half back making him the only multiple goal kicker of the game. Beal, Cameron Allison and Jayson Ford were also impressive for the Lions. The Kangas were best served by hard-running midfielder Addison Dew while McPhee returned from a serious ankle injury and was superb up forward and across half back. Jackson Harwood, Nathan Crudeli and Graham Ross also toiled hard but their side’s season came to an end.