GSFL 2024: Brad Hook’s coaching masterstrokes helps Mt Barker to huge upset win over reigning premiers Albany

Mt Barker caused the biggest upset of the season so far, downing reigning premiers Albany by 18 points in a bone-crunching match at Sounness Park on Saturday. The Sharks’ premiership defence was unblemished through the opening month of the season but they were met by a ravenous and punishing Bulls side who handed them their first loss of the campaign. Bulls’ forward duo Zach Jackson and Sam Lehmann’s striking partnership inside forward-50 was a focal point for the hosts and they bagged four majors each to steer their side to the 13.12 (90) to 10.12 (72) win. Their dynamic forward partnership, complemented by pivotal defensive performances from Kye Griffiths and Rhys Hogg, proved decisive in tilting the balance between the two teams. “It works pretty well (Lehmann and Jackson inside the forward line) and our whole plan the whole way through the year is to have those two down there or (Brodie) Duffield down there,” Hook said. “He’s (Duffield) working his way into the season and he was a lot better today and as we get going, two of those three will be down there at all times” Griffiths was tasked with minding the competition’s leading goal kicker Brett Peake, holding the dangerous forward to just one goal, while Kane Pinney, who was instrumental in defence, had Hogg for company after quarter-time. After leading by one straight kick at the main break, the Bulls’ dynamic duo grabbed the game by the scruff of the neck by booting five between them. Zach Jackson scored two in quick succession at the start of the third before Lehmann added three goals in the closing stages to take four majors and a 25-point lead into the final change. Despite his pivotal tactical moves, Hook said his side’s pressure around the contest catalysed their terrific upset win. “He (Griffiths) was amazing and he did that good of a job and he went toe-to-toe with him (Peake),” Hook said. “Pinney in the first half was just unbelievable and we did some stuff to try and negate his impact and I thought that helped a fair way. “Our tackling pressure was pretty impressive and we wanted to bring that physical pressure to the contest. “If we could make it a bit of a wrestle, that’s when we got on top of them. It was a brutal encounter, it really was and some guys are really sore.” Sharks’ Isaac Baum and Taj Williams slotted their second majors each at the start of the last to ignite a comeback before Ben Kirkwood nailed a nerve-settler for the hosts. The brutal affair had numerous players from each side helped to the bench by trainers, leaving depleted benches in the final quarter. Duffield was brilliant for the Bulls with three majors while Daniel Patching accumulated lots of possessions and was a crucial cog in many of their attacks. Mitch Jackson was prolific in the ruck, giving his on-ballers first use while offering plenty of outlet options around the ground. It marked the fourth straight week the Sharks have scored more behinds than goals, with Peake (two behinds), Williams (three) and William Morris (two) all squandering crucial chances. Rogan Coffey, stepping in for unavailable Sharks head coach Jamie Ramm, attributed their loss to complacency and assured that converting chances into goals is not a problem. “I think we were a little bit complacent, we’re young and we don’t match-up with them that well,” Coffey said. “It resets the barometer for our club, but I’ve stepped in because (Jamie) couldn’t be here and a couple of things shake it up and when you get those changes there are effects. “Both sides scored a lot of behinds today which shows there was a lot of pressure around. “I don’t think there there is a silver bullet, I don’t think there’s an ‘oh we can’t kick goals’.” Bulls’ Brandon Ugle was shown a yellow card in the first quarter for rough conduct after a high bump on Jake Shepherd.