GSFL 2024: Railways mount seven-goal blitz to end undermanned Mt Barker’s win streak in heavy conditions

Railways mastered the horrendous conditions at Tigerland to notch an emphatic 35-point victory over Mt Barker to snap their opponents’ four-game winning streak. After conceding the first two goals of the match in the opening five minutes, the Tigers booted the next seven to stroll to a resounding 7.12 (54) to 2.7 (19) victory. As both sides contended with the heavy ground, spotty showers and a howling breeze blowing across the ground, Bulls’ Ashley Wallam slotted two set shots to give his side the early advantage. But from that point on it was all the Tigers as their inside midfielders seized control of the engine room allowing them to dominate field position and applying extreme heat on the Bulls’ back six. In an absolute slog-fest, Ryley Valli was superb in the centre and was rightfully awarded the game ball for his best-on-ground performance in the Think Mental Health Round. Co-captain Jayden Scott thrived in the wet alongside Ryan Davies who was excellent across half-back accumulating countless intercepts and thwarting any rare clearance the Bulls found. Player-coach Bodhi Stubber credited his side’s “mud dog” effort in the crucial victory that elevated them to third on the Great Southern Football League ladder. “I was really impressed the way boys responded, especially after they kicked the first two goals,” he said. “The way the boys turned it around was really good and the mud dogs were back which was really good to see. “I think there was a bit more intent this week, there was desire and everyone just wanted the footy and we really set the tone. “We’re back into third and so we will push on and hopefully get a top two spot.” Jaxon Lombardini (one goal) was industrious in the forward half while Stubber and Haydn Sproxton booted two crucial goals. Tom Geddes (one) and Sproxton then combined in quick succession approaching halftime to give their side a 24-point lead to the main break. As the arduous nature of the game took its toll on both sides neither team could get on the goal sheet in the third before Stubber broke a 35-minute goalless drought early in the last. Tasked with constant pressure in defence, Darcy Wallinger was a shining light on a gloomy day for the Bulls and Daniel Patching toiled hard in the midfield scrap. Gary Pope stepped into the coaching role for suspended Bull coach Brad Hook, acknowledging that his undermanned side team were simply outplayed. “Their (Railways) midfield is pretty consistent and experienced across the board week in, week out and their skill level was so much higher than ours,” Pope said. “We lacked that bit of controlled possession that we were trying to achieve but our defence held pretty firm and Darcy Wallinger just worked tirelessly. “We were missing a few players like Zach and Mitch Jackson, Darcy Lubcke and Sam Lehmann who are all pretty important for us.” Lee Pavlovich and Brent Parsons were also solid contributors for the Bulls. Bulls’ hard-nosed utility Brandon Ugle was taken to hospital in the first quarter after suffering a nasty head knock during a contest.