Albany have jumped to the top of the GSFL ladder with two rounds remaining after Railways were beaten by Royals, and Mount Barker continued their winning ways, making it one of the tightest seasons in years.
In the Rainbow Coast Insurance Brokers and Point Insurance GSFL Livestreamed Match of the Day, Royals crossed the road to Tigerland to tackle the former ladder leaders, with new confidence as they start to welcome back injured players.
But it was the Tigers who started brightly, kicking two goals in the opening term and keeping the Lions goalless.
However, the second term was all Royals as ruckman Stephen Beal, fresh from a dominant country carnival, put his team on his back and said ‘follow me boys’.
Beal played one of the best quarters seen in recent times, continually winning clearances and pushing his team forward at every opportunity.
Royals capitalised on Beal’s performance, kicking four goals for the term, to go into the major break with a handy 12-point lead.
The third term was an arm wrestle, highlighted by a brilliant running goal from the boundary line by Jayden Scott on his powerful and trusty left boot.
But in a low-scoring game, Royals had enough class in front of goals to be the difference, winning 8.12 (60) to 6.5 (41).
Nick Ashford was the only multiple goalscorer for the Lions with three, and besides the dominance of Beal, were well led by Tyreice Brown who cut off everything at half-back, rover David Parker and wingman Ben Altus.
For the Tigers, Scott finished with three goals, Zak Hortin got two but threatened all day, with Caleb Haua playing the game of his life.
Up at McLean Oval, Mount Barker, inspired after beating Railways in a thriller the previous week, took on Denmark-Walpole on Saturday.
The Bulls piled on the scoreboard pressure, kicking four goals in the first two terms, and three each in the final two terms, to run out winners, 14.9 (93) to the Magpies 7.3 (45).
Mount Barker’s Brandon Ugle and veteran Sam Lehmann finished with five goals each, with Nigel Penny and the consistent Zach Jackson playing well.
For Denmark-Walpole, Bradley Cochrane was best with two goals, well supported by Tyler Stone, Cody Kerr and Tait Harfield.
On Sunday at Retravision Stadium, it was the Brett Peake show as Albany hosted North Albany and the Sharks vice-captain ran riot, booting nine goals in a powerful display.
Jayden Zilm chimed in with four goals as Albany were ruthless, going into the final term already with an 84-point lead, smashing out a 9.4 to nil quarter to win 24.17 (161) to 2.7 (19).
This Saturday, Royals are at home to Denmark-Walpole at Retravision Stadium, Mount Barker host North Albany at Sounness Park, and in the game of the round, Railways take on Albany at Tigerland on Sunday.
