Lions roar to remain premiership fancies

Royals have made an emphatic statement, firmly cementing their place as hot premiership favourites after whacking Railways in the final quarter of today’s top-of-the-table clash at Tigerland.

The Lions had control of the game for large periods but their inaccuracy in front of goal kept the home side in the game for the first three quarters.

The Tigers kicked two of the three goals scored in the third term, a late major to Logan Stubber pulling the margin back to eight points.

However the Lions finally got rewarded for their effort in the fourth term as the floodgates opened, four goals in the first four minutes breaking the back of the Tigers.

The Lions piled on eight unanswered goals in the final stanza to storm to a 55-point win and guarantee top spot and hosting rights for the second semifinal later this month.

Hamish McMorran controlled things in the air for the Lions in a powerful display, Jordan Heil was electric in the first three quarters and player-coach Andrew Ruck also stood tall as the Lions won 12.13 (85) to 4.6 (30).

Brody Ogle kicked three majors and key forward Taylor Powell also returned three goals for the visitors.

The Tigers were lucky to be in the contest at three quarter time, managing only two points after that to suffer their heaviest defeat of the season.

Joel Want, Craig Frost, Dylan Schorer and Logan Stubber were the best contributors while Zak Hortin was their only multiple goal kicker with two.

North Albany have overcome a spirited Albany side by 42 points at Centennial Stadium today, to keep hold of third spot for at least another week.

The Sharks put a poor fortnight behind them to lead at quarter time by a single point, before the Kangas kicked six goals in the second to take a 26-point buffer in at half time.

Two goals apiece in the third left the Kangas 25 points ahead but the Sharks were not about to go away as an exiting last term loomed.

The Kangas were able to hold firm in the last, as they finished winners 14.16 (100) to 7.16 (58), with lively forward Jyrin Woods booting a season-high seven goals.

Woods was electric as he along with Brodie Sumich, Angus McKercher and Grant Corcoran all played solid four quarter games for the visitors, who blooded two debutants in the win.

Coen Marwick (two goals), Jack Banks and Bryce Blaszkow were influential for the Sharks as they recaptured some of their better form.

Yesterday in a wonderful first game played on the newly surfaced McLean Park, Mt Barker clung on to an epic one-point win after surviving a kick after the full time siren.

In a pulsating Graham Hard Memorial Game, the Magpies led by as much as 27 points in the third quarter before the Bulls kicked the last four goals heading into three quarter time.

The margin was just three points when the final term began and there were three lead changes in what was a brilliant finish.

The Bulls led by 15 points before the home side rallied on the back of midfield gun Tyler Stone who put them back in front.

Veteran goalsneak Dionne Woods kicked his third, a superb set shot on the boundary line to hand the Bulls the advantage back with three minutes to play.

There would be one more twist though as Magpie Doug Roberts marked over Ryan Ballard 45m out on a tough angle and the siren sounded moments later.

Roberts couldn’t get the journey after the final siren, the kick falling short to officially end the Magpies finals hopes as they suffered a heartbreaking 13.5 (83) to 12.10 (82) defeat.

Jesse Wynne was the difference in the last stanza, his eight disposals and three goals pivotal, while the work of Sam Lehmann yet again and youngster Mitch Ballard was key to the result.

Wynne finished with five goals while for the Magpies big man Shayne Zanetti bagged four goals as he came alight after half time.

Stone was best afield in a losing affair while Jared Lane, Dave MacDonald and Sam Finigan were also among their side’s best players.