GSFL 2023: Royals get rolling after dominant second-half display keeping Denmark-Walpole to a single point

A second-half blitz powered Royals to their first win of the year, thumping Denmark-Walpole by 139 points in the twilight fixture at Retravision Stadium on Saturday. The later 4.30pm start proved the perfect tonic for the Lions to get their season rolling, as they scored 12 unanswered goals in the second half to crush the hapless Magpies. Key forward Coel Hunter had a night out, bagging seven majors and the Lions forward line functioned well as Taylor Powell and Rivah Bocian booted three each and youngster James Watters was brilliant as the lead-up target. The Magpies regained grunt ball winner Tyler Stone and ruckman Kadan King-Davies but the Lions quickly warmed to their work. The Lions kicked five majors in the first term to lead by 27 points and the work of tap ruckman Stephen Beal, who gave great service to the likes of Corey Ward and Cameron Allison, set up big win. Six majors in the second term pushed the home side further clear by half-time and the second half was one-way traffic as they scored a big win, 23.18 (156) to 2.5 (17). Lions coach Andrew Ruck said their midfield was key to picking up their first victory of 2023. “We haven’t been too bad but a win is nice,” Ruck said. “All three weeks we haven’t had a win but all three weeks we’ve been in the game. “We tidied up a few things (on Saturday), Denmark had a lot of kids and didn’t bring the same pressure as much as last two games. “I think we brought in seven (players) and they all acquitted themselves really well “Our strength at the moment is our depth and whether we can get our A-graders back on the park is going to be the difference if we can finish in the top two or if we fall away.” Beal was a tower of strength in the ruck and had a stack of marks and possessions around the ground to be a dominant figure while Allison and Ward won countless clearances to drive their team into attack. Watters was brilliant at half-forward in only his second league game, Brett Hooper was sound in defence and Ben Altus (two goals) continued his impressive start to the season in the midfield. Stone tried valiantly in a losing affair but he lacked senior support as the young Magpies were simply out-muscled after quarter-time. Bailey Bennett worked hard throughout and kicked one of his side’s two majors while defenders Jack Marney, Cody Kerr and Barry Roberts were solid under enormous pressure. Magpies coach Brad Nisbett said it was disappointing to be held to a single behind in the last half. “They were solid and moved the ball well,” he said. “We always seem to drop off but we want to hit the scoreboard.”