In a massive weekend for local football, Railways went directly through to the 2023 GSFL Grand Final on Saturday after defeating Albany by 30 points at Retravision Stadium.
The Sharks will get the double chance after they finished the home-and-away season on top, playing Royals this Saturday after the Lions knocked Mount Barker out of the finals in the Elimination Final on Sunday.
But back to Saturday and in perfect conditions for the Qualifying Final, Railways launched out of the blocks and just could not miss, getting their key forwards, such as Zak Hortin, in great spots as they piled on six goals straight.
Mitch Green, returning from long-term injury only the week before, was playing a blinder as he had the ball on a string, putting in one of the most dominant quarters played in the GSFL.
Albany still had plenty of the play, but just could not capitalise up forward with five scoring shots but only one major.
The second quarter was an arm-wrestle with the Sharks pulling back the deficit by a goal but the Tigers still went into the main break with a handy 17-point lead.
Railways kept the pressure on in the third term, turning for home with a four-goal lead and the last stanza was anti-climatic with the Tigers scoring the only goal to run out winners 11.5 (71) to 5.11 (41).
Hortin was the dominant forward on the ground, finishing with four goals, with Green, Ray Daniels and Haydn Sproxton chipping in with two majors apiece.
For the Sharks, Jayden Zilm continued on with his goalscoring form with another two goals, as did Harrison Hordacre, with best players Cameron Jones, Jack Stevens and Taj Williams.
On Sunday it was the Bulls mounting an early charge as they dominated the first quarter against Royals, but just couldn’t capitalise on the scoreboard as they kicked 3.8 to the Lions with only one goal.
But Royals hit back, kicking 4.9 to only one point in a topsy-turvy clash that had the Lions leading by 12 points at half-time.
The Bulls reduced that margin to only four points at the end of the third term, setting up a thrilling final quarter but it was Royals who steadied when it mattered most – the cool heads of Stevie Edwards, Corey Ward (two goals) and Ryan Flick prevailing in a close game 9.17 (71) to 7.15 (57).
The Bulls were best served by their star Daniel Patching, Brandon Ugle and Nigel Penny with Scott Price playing a lone hand up forward, finishing with four goals.
So this Saturday it is the battle of the co-tenants, an in-form Royals having won seven of their past eight games, up against Albany, the league’s best side during the season.
The game starts at Retravision Stadium at 2.30pm.
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