Superb final term helps Tigers reach GSFL grand final after downing persistent Bulls in qualifying final

Railways stormed into their fourth grand final in five years after a superb final term proved the difference in a cracking Great Southern Football League qualifying final against Mt Barker on Saturday. The Tigers progressed directly through to the 2022 decider in their bid to win back-to-back premierships, holding the Bulls scoreless in the fourth quarter on their way to a 25-point triumph at Tigerland. In a evenly matched first three quarters the margin never went beyond 12 points as the two best teams of the regular season produced an enthralling and physical contest. Scores were level three times in the opening half and the home side took an eight-point buffer into the last change, which would have been more if not for a Lincoln East major in the last 10 seconds of the third. However the Tigers produced a terrific final stanza as Matt Palfrey kicked the only two goals to seal a 10.10 (70) to 7.3 (45) triumph. The Tigers will now have a week off to prepare for the grand final while the Bulls will face elimination final winners Albany in next Sunday’s preliminary final. Palfrey kicked his third major to make it a game-high 14 points early in the final term and then a run of behinds pushed the margin out to 18 points. The ball was locked in the Tigers’ front half for the majority of the quarter and a late free kick resulted in Palfrey’s fourth goal, sending the reigning premiers into the grand final as they beat the Bulls for the second time this year. Competition stars Palfrey and Zach Jackson kicked the first goals for their respective teams but it was the Tigers who held a slender seven-point buffer at quarter time. The Bulls hit the front early in the second term thanks to consecutive goals to Jackson, one from a tight angle in the pocket, before Clay Michael, Zak Hortin and Palfrey steadied the ship for the home side. The visitors took some momentum into the break after East tumbled through a major from 40m out and Sam Lehmann got them rolling after half time with his second goal of the game. Kane Shephard restored an eight-point lead for the Tigers only for East to cut it back to two but hard-nosed midfielder Beau Ewen scrambled a kick forward that maintained their advantage at three quarter time. As heavy rain fell in the second half Ewen’s influence at stoppages grew while Ryan Davies was again terrific across the four quarters. Palfrey had plenty of impact kicking 4.1 and playing big minutes in the midfield while returning ball winner Logan Stubber got better as the game went on. Logan Stubber was one of five changes the Tigers made from their round 15 side. The Tigers’ defensive unit worked well, led by Mitch Green and Craig Frost, and wingman Dylan Schorer was also impressive. The Bulls were dealt a blow in the lead-up to the final with intercept defender Darcy Wallinger ruled out with injury but they did regain Keegan Berry and Josh Davenport. Joel Gray and Camball McMahon tried tirelessly for their side in a losing affair, Zach Jackson was busy in the first three quarters and kicked three goals while ruckman David Stone and defender Sebastian Ballard were also strong contributors. In the minor grades, Royals were far too strong as they beat the Tigers in a low-scoring reserves affair by 24 points while Denmark-Walpole are into the colts grand final. The Magpies beat the Lions in the qualifying final which was stopped at about the five minute mark of the last quarter when Jed Cummuskey suffered a badly broken arm and had to be stretchered from the ground and into an ambulance. The match never restarted and Cummuskey’s side won by 17 points. In the 16s the Sharks progressed to the decider after comfortable 39-point triumph over the Tigers.