GSFL 2023: Mt Barker seal memorable comeback victory over reigning premiers Railways in physical, willing game

Mt Barker coach Brad Hook says an unwavering sense of belief was the catalyst in helping his side propel to an odds-defying comeback victory over Railways at Sounness Park on Saturday. The home side were down for the count at three-quarter-time and the margin had ballooned out to 43 points with the result appearing to be a mere formality. However, a stunning eight-goal final term guided the determined Bulls to a sensational comeback, with young star Camball McMahon booting four majors in the last quarter to seal an epic 13.7 (85) to 12.11 (83) result. “It was an amazing effort from the boys,” Hook said. “I think a few of the guys went in at half-time with their heads down and the feeling in the room was like we were 10 goals down even though it was only three or four goals. “The message at three-quarter-time was, the week prior, we kicked six goals to one in the last quarter and there was nothing stopping us from at least doing that again. “There was 100 percent belief at three-quarter-time, did I expect the result probably not but we have been finishing games so well in the past three or four games. “We believe we’ve worked really hard on our fitness so we just had to go out there and give it a crack.” McMahon’s late heroics drew significant praise from Hook. “Young Camball McMahon in the last quarter, not only did he clunk everything but he just kicked so straight,” Hook said. “It was a fantastic effort from an 18-year-old kid, there were a couple shots from difficult angles but he kicked them true and it was a brilliant result. “We think we can beat anyone on our day. “The competition is so even, you just have to look at the results on the weekend to see anything can happen this year, I truly believe that.” After a mixed day in front of the big sticks, Sam Lehmann kicked truly for Bulls first of the final quarter, nailing a set shot from 20m out on an angle. Lehmann was beginning to come alive and he put through his second of the quarter before Zach Jackson narrowly missed his attempt, hitting the post minutes later. Ben Kirkwood gathered and kicked every bit of 50m with a stunning long-range bomb to trim the Tigers lead back to 23 and it would only get better for the home side. Moments later, Dylan Gowdie would put through one of the best goals of the season, smashing an airborne football from 40m out on the run to rocket through a stunning soccer-style full volley. McMahon had his first of the quarter from 40m out but Josh Duffield stemmed the flow for the Tigers, floating his first major of the afternoon through to put the visitors back up by 17. The next three goals would all come from the boot of Bulls’ gun McMahon. However, prime mover Zach Jackson engaged in some lovely link up play on the wing to set up McMahon’s second. Mitch Jackson repelled another exit outside the Tigers defensive 50m and sent a long ball into the Bulls forward line, McMahon taking a spectacular contested mark before putting through another. Zach Jackson found the chest of the hot-handed leading forward, and he put through his fourth from 40m out to drag the Bulls within four points with just over five minutes remaining. The Tigers, try as they might, could not prevent repeated inside-50 entries, this time Rhys Hogg sending a long ball to a two-on-two contest in the forward pocket. Josh Davenport gathered at ground level, weaved through some traffic and hand-passed over to the hands of that man again, McMahon, who put through the sealer in the goal square, sparking delirium among the Bulls’ faithful. The ball was on the wing when the final siren sounded where tempers frayed as a melee broke out between the two sides. Several players had to be separated and Bulls assistant coach Gary Pope was also involved and had to be removed by Bulls officials. On the cusp of half-time Brandon Ugle was yellow-carded for a late hit on Logan Stubber while Jayden Scott also received a yellow card late in the fourth quarter for a late bump on Dylan Gowdie. Logan Stubber failed to return after that with a knee injury. Along with McMahon, Darcy Wallinger was terrific on his return to the line-up as well as Lehmann (four goals), Zach Jackson and youngster Keagen Taylor. For the Tigers Scott, Beau Ewen and Logan Stubber tried hard in the midfield as well as Leighton Smith in defence, while skipper Bodhi Stubber was outstanding in the back half. Earlier the Tigers had goals through Joel Want, Zak Hortin and Kane Shephard in the first quarter while Lehmann and Hogg kicked majors for the Bulls. Tigers’ Jack Steel and Hortin added one each in a scrappy second term and despite goals to Zach Jackson and Lehmann the visitors held a 24-point half-time advantage. Shephard, Want and Ethan Knee hit the scoreboard in the third term before Jaxon Lomardini put them up by 48 points. McMahon’s first of the afternoon came minutes before the siren in the third term, a goal that would prove crucial in the final outcome. “It was probably more disappointing that we couldn’t stop their momentum,” Tigers assistant coach Dan Cale said. “As a group of players that are defending premiers, they are sort of in the hunted category at the moment. “They have to improve each week, it was probably a bit disappointing around the footy in the middle of the ground late. “They’ve got to just put it behind them to focus on next week and with a few injuries, it presents opportunities to some other guys to step up.” Cale said the club would find out the diagnosis of Logan Stubber’s knee injury later this week.