Run of grand final defeats ends as Lions cap perfect season with premiership victory over Railways

Royals ended a run of three consecutive grand final defeats as they proved far too strong in this year’s reserves decider against Railways at McLean Park on Sunday. The Lions tasted grand final heartache at the hands of the Tigers in 2018 and 2019 and Mt Barker last year, but capped a superb undefeated season with a 45-point triumph. Hardworking midfielder Adrian Cinanni was outstanding for the winners and received the Jim Hull Medal as the player judged best afield. Despite their inaccuracy, the Lions led by 29 points at three-quarter-time and kicked five goals in the final stanza to seal the 11.16 (82) to 5.7 (37) victory. Lions coach Scott Ganzer said it was a relief to lift the premiership cup aloft. “Really happy we’ve got the monkey off the back,” Ganzer said. “We worked really hard to get where we did and had a very handy side. “That third quarter we kicked two or three goals in a row and the boys got their tails up. “I thought our boys got on top in most positions we knew we could grind away and use our fitness and leg speed, and we no had passengers.” A free kick in the goal square on the verge of quarter-time handed the Lions the only goal of the first term through Casey Ganzer. Toby Hall and Chris Wallace kicked majors for the Tigers in the second term but the Lions conjured three at the other end, including a ripper on the run from Cianni and one from veteran forward James McRae to ensure they went into half-time 16 points ahead. The Lions dominated the third quarter as Jaiden Alison, Mathew Laudehr and Cameron Lazar booted majors but their side failed to put the Tigers away, kicking 3.7. Two goals from Stefan Voster in the fourth plus second majors to McRae and Lazar sealed the grand final win. Cinanni won a host of clearances and combined well with smooth moving midfielder Zak Mola to help set up the Lions going forward. McRae and Lazar were lively in the front half and Regan Askevold helped limit the influence of Tigers forward Doug Roberts after the long break. The Tigers were best served by youngster Hall, Hayden Davies and ruckman Dean Newbold while Jaxon McLean and Declan Willey were strong in the air.