Royals roll past Magpies for shot at flag

Talented midfielders Tyreice Brown and Dane Paunich helped Royals reach their fourth straight colts grand final appearance, defeating Denmark-Walpole by 40 points in Sunday’s preliminary final.

Deacon Wynne kicked the first goal of the game for the Lions, as his side took a slender four-point lead in at the first change.

The Magpies were wasteful in front of goal, having the same number of scoring shots as the Lions but their inaccuracy left them 15 points down at the main change.

The goals dried up in the third stanza as the Lions managed 1.6 for the quarter but their defence was terrific, keeping their opponents scoreless to push the margin to 27 points heading into the last.

Wynne kicked his second to push the margin beyond 30 points to make the Magpies task a difficult one.

The Lions proved too strong, running out 9.13 (67) to 3.9 (27) winners to end the Magpies season.

Paunich and Brown roamed freely and did as they pleased for the Lions while small forwards Seb Stanton and Wynne were lively all game.

Reagan Hutchinson was gallant in defeat for the Magpies while Rex Ogier and Noah Madaffari were also solid.

Earlier in the day, Mt Barker’s sixteens caused an upset, defeating Railways by 13 points.

The Bulls kicked three first-quarter goals and extended their margin to 13 points by the long break.

Toby Brown kicked the only goal of the third term, giving his Tigers a sniff but Warrick Proudlove medallist Arthur Jones pushed the margin back to 14 points early in the last quarter and the Bulls held on to win, 7.8 (50) to 5.7 (37).

Defending premiers Railways progressed to their second straight grand final, after downing Mt Barker in the reserves by 36 points.

Hayden Davies kicked four goals and axed league midfielder Jayden Scott was influential in the win, the Tigers prevailing 9.10 (64) to 4.4 (28).