GSFL 2024: Railways grind out crucial away victory to snatch second place ahead of big final fortnight

Railways player-coach Bodhi Stubber says his side are playing a good team brand of football at the right time of the year, after eclipsing Mt Barker at Sounness Park on Saturday. The Tigers have won their past four games, including victories over top four teams Royals and now the Bulls in the past fortnight of the Great Southern Football League season. The Bulls kicked three of the first five goals in the round 13 contest as they looked to reclaim third spot on the ladder from their opponents. However the Tigers hit back with five majors in the third term on their way to a 39-point victory. That result and the Lions loss to ladder leaders Albany, helped the Tigers jump to second spot due to their superior percentage over the Lions. The Lions have the two sides outside the top four in the final two rounds and the Tigers face an in-form Sharks side in round 14 but if the Tigers do slip back to third they have crucial hosting rights to the elimination final. “We had a bit of a slow start to the season but we set ourselves a goal a couple of weeks ago to just have a crack,” Stubber said. “We are making it a scrap and just trying to come out on top every week.” Returning stars Zach Jackson and Brandon Ugle had immediate impact as they goaled for the home side in the first but the Jaggi brothers and Jaxon Lombardini ensured the visitors had their noses in front at quarter time. There were only two goals kicked in a dour second term as the Tigers held an 11-point half time advantage. Young pair Brock Lathbury and Tom Geddes gave the Tigers early breathing space in the third and the Bulls were left to rue several missed chances on goal. Darcy Wallinger’s second major reduced the deficit to 15 points but the Tigers had the answers as Geddes kicked another and then Stubber who had swung himself forward nailed one from long range. Trailing by 27 points at the last change, the Bulls needed an early goal but it was Lorcan McNamara that stretched the margin to 33 points inside four minutes. The Bulls continued to fight but failed to couldn’t string back-to-back goals together and the visitors through Joel Want and Jayden Scott sealed the 13.11 (89) to 7.8 (50) triumph. Milan Jaggi had great poise across half-back, Ryan Davies won plenty of the ball and Ryley Valli won some crucial clearances for the winners. Geddes, Stubber and Want kicked multiple goals while Lombardini and co-captain Leighton Smith both had strong games. The only sour point was a hamstring injury to forward Zak Hortin early on and then the loss of Mitch Green to a calf injury. The Bulls were best served by Wallinger (two goals), Jared Ballard, Tyreice Brown and Daniel Patching. Jackson made a successful return from a knee injury but was well held, kicking only two goals, and his side missed the presence of the suspended Ashley Wallam and key forward Brodie Duffield while Brent Parsons was also an omission from last week. “Railways played at a frenetic pace and we got roped into it,” Bulls coach Brad Hook said. “I asked the boys to slow down and play the way we wanted but we just couldn’t keep up with them in the end.” The Bulls also lost Rhys Hogg to a calf injury.