Strong second half guides Railways into Great Southern Football League sixteens grand final

Railways are through to their first sixteens grand final in the Great Southern Football League in five years after an impressive 19-point second semifinal victory over Royals at Centennial Stadium on Saturday.

The Tigers won their last sixteens premiership in 2016 and they finished powerfully to be the first team into this year’s decider.

The Lions kicked three goals to one in the first term but the Tigers hit back to trail by a single point at half-time.

The only goal of the third term went the way of the Tigers as they took an eight-point lead into the final term before booting three goals to one to seal the 7.9 (51) to 5.2 (32) win.

Clay Michael kicked three goals in the win while Meikhi Humphries added two, joined in the best by Rhys Grixti and Matthew Lane.

Teague Valli, Rory Luscombe (three goals), Cleve Humphries and Mitchell Paine were terrific for the Lions.

The Lions got revenge in the reserves as they finished 44-point winners over the Tigers, thanks to four goals in the second term.

Four unanswered goals helped them take a 36-point lead into the main break before booting five goals to four in the second half.

Jaiden Allison booted four goals while veteran James McRae was a valuable contributor with three majors.

The Lions progressed directly through to the colts grand final after emerging 23-point winners over Albany Sharks.

A seven-goal first half set up the victory as they held off the fast-finishing Sharks.

Lorcan McNamara (four goals) and Cooper Childs (three) were major factors in the Lions win.