Railways reach fourth grand final in five years as big final term helps beat Mt Barker in qualifying final

Railways qualified for their fourth Great Southern Football League grand final appearance in five years after a dominant final quarter guided them to a 25-point win over Mt Barker in a terrific qualifying final on Saturday. Tigers coach Mark Bayliss said his side players lifted considerably when he asked for another effort at three-quarter-time, holding the Bulls scoreless in the final term as star Matt Palfrey kicked the last two goals of the game. “We felt we were the form side of the competition and we needed to bring that straight away,” Bayliss said. “I think we deserve the opportunity to be the first side in the grand final and it’s a bit of relief to have done that. “We’ve worked hard all year and now we have the opportunity on the big stage to have a crack at going back-to-back. “I will take my hat off to Mt Barker they threw everything at us today. “Getting that first goal in the board (in the last), it became a real mindset thing they’ve got to kick three to win. “It gave our boys confidence and put a bit of doubt in their blokes.” In an evenly matched first three quarters at Tigerland the margin never went beyond 12 points as the two best teams of the regular season produced an enthralling and physical contest. Scores were level three times in the opening half and the home side took an eight-point buffer into the last change, which would have been more if not for a Lincoln East major in the last 10 seconds of the third term. However, the Tigers produced a terrific final stanza as Palfrey kicked the only two goals to seal a 10.10 (70) to 7.3 (45) triumph. The Tigers will now have a week off to prepare for the grand final while the Bulls will face elimination final winners Albany in Sunday’s preliminary final. Palfrey kicked his third major to make it a game-high 14 points early in the final term and then a run of behinds pushed the margin out to 18 points. The ball was locked in the Tigers’ front half for most of the quarter and a late free kick resulted in Palfrey’s fourth goal. Competition stars Palfrey and Zach Jackson kicked the first goals for their respective teams but it was the Tigers who held a seven-point buffer at quarter-time. The Bulls hit the front early in the second term thanks to consecutive goals to Zach Jackson, one from a tight angle in the pocket, before Clay Michael, Zak Hortin and Palfrey steadied the ship for the home side. The visitors took some momentum into the break after East tumbled through a major from 40m out. Sam Lehmann got them rolling after half-time with his second goal of the game. Kane Shephard restored an eight-point lead for the Tigers only for East to cut it back to two but hard-nosed midfielder Beau Ewen scrambled a kick forward that maintained their advantage at three-quarter-time. As heavy rain fell in the second half Ewen’s influence at stoppages grew while Ryan Davies was again terrific across the four quarters. Palfrey (20 disposals, eight marks and four goals) was superb while returning ball winner Logan Stubber got better as the game went on. Logan Stubber was one of five changes the Tigers made from their round 15 side. The Tigers’ defensive unit worked well, led by Mitch Green and Craig Frost, and wingman Dylan Schorer was also impressive. The Bulls were dealt a blow in the lead-up to the final with intercept defender Darcy Wallinger ruled out with injury but they did regain Keegan Berry and Josh Davenport. Joel Gray and Scott Price tried tirelessly for their side in a losing affair, Zach Jackson was busy in the first three quarters to finish with 23 disposals and kicked three goals. Ruckman David Stone and defender Sebastian Ballard were also strong contributors. Bulls coach David Johnson lamented the final-quarter performance. “It was a great game of footy and I was pleased with our attack on the contest,” Johnson said. “Failing to generate any score in the last was disappointing, I think we had one inside-50 and that was quite telling. “They adapted to the conditions a bit better than us. “We took a lot of positives out of the game, we felt we belonged in a second semi but we’ve got to be prepared to work for four quarters and if we do that we will give ourselves the best chance.” The Bulls lost young defender Brent Parsons to a possible knee cap dislocation in the first quarter and he never returned.