GSFL 2024: Impressive Royals too strong for Albany in second half of reserves prelim to book grand final berth

A dominant second half from reigning premiers Royals has helped keep their season alive after powering past Albany in the reserves preliminary final on Saturday. The two sides met in last year’s Great Southern Football League reserves grand final as the Lions roared to a third straight flag. This time the Lions and Sharks met with a grand final berth on the line but after a first-half arm wrestle, it was the Lions that emerged 28-point winners. The Sharks led by a single point at half-time, kicking the only major of a dour second term, but the Lions hit back after the main break. The Lions booted three goals in a pivotal third quarter to take a 13-point advantage into the last change and added two more majors in the last to set up a qualifying final rematch with rivals Railways in the decider. Jack Carlson booted two goals, Jaiden Alison and Jiren Hamminga won plenty of the ball and Mackenzie Batten and Jake Hooper were also strong contributors in the 6.12 (48) to 3.2 (20) win. Zac Pearson was superb in a losing affair for Sharks and teammates Caleb Woods, Will Pascoe, Matt Cransberg were also named in the best players but their season came to an end. The Lions will now have a chance at a rare premiership four-peat as they face the Tigers, who beat them in the qualifying final. Earlier in the day, Albany booked their place in the colts grand final by beating Railways by 20 points. The influence of George Bockman and Kaleb Germain, who were part of the Sharks’ league qualifying final win, were telling as their side kicked five goals to one in the first half. Taylor Coyne was electric up forward with two majors while George Bockman also kicked two to go with strong performances from Germain, captain Max Grimes, Declan Reid and Jesse Owens in the 7.8 (50) to 4.6 (30) victory. The Tigers mounted a challenge with two late goals in the third term but despite the best efforts of Bailin Curtis, Robert Farmer, Tadhg Mills and Hunter Porteous they fell short. Denmark-Walpole progressed to the 16s decider with a thumping 40-point win over Royals to start the day. Ryan Hick (two goals) ran rampant for the Magpies as they kicked three goals in the first and last terms on their way to a 8.7 (55) to 2.3 (15) win.