Seventh heaven for Woods as Bulls end Royals season

Mt Barker will take on reigning premiers North Albany in the preliminary final after ending Royals’ season with a 38-point win in today’s elimination semifinal at Sounness Park.

The Bulls were forced to arrest the momentum from the fast-starting Lions and held firm against two second-half challenges to keep their premiership hopes alive, 19.9 (123) to 13.7 (85).

The Lions led by as much as 19 points in the second term but athletic big men Daniel Henderson and Jordan Reid and the grunt of midfielder Darren Humble helped swing the contest.

Livewire veteran Dionne Woods was at his elusive best booting three decisive goals in the second quarter as the Bulls booted nine of the next 11 majors either side of the main break.

Late goals to Andrew Ruck and Corey Ward gave the Lions a glimmer of hope trailing by 18 points at the final change and the margin was trimmed to just 11 points before the Bulls steadied.

Woods again bobbed up when required booting three more goals at the town end of the ground with the Lions having no answer to his match-winning seven-goal haul.

Woods along with midfielders Humble and captain Peter Taylor shone while the Lions were best served by shock inclusion Sam Baddeley-Holmes (two goals), Ward and Michael McGlade.

In today’s minor grades, Railways booked preliminary final berths in both the colts are reserves while North Albany caused an upset in the sixteens.

The Tigers will face the Lions in next Sunday’s colts preliminary final after a thumping 96-point victory over the Bulls which was set up by an eight goal first term.

Cyrus Upson (three goals), Cooper Filipowski and Jamon Barrett were instrumental in the win as their team kicked eight goals to one in the opening term and ran out easy victors in the end, 17.9 (111) to 2.3 (15).

The Kangas caused the upset of the day in the sixteens as they held the Tigers scoreless after half time on their way to a comfortable 32-point win in the first semifinal.

Heath Spinks and Lachlan Hansen were terrific in the win for the Kangas who kicked five goals in the second half and now meet Albany in the preliminary final.

The Tigers were forced to come from behind in the reserves but ran out 23-point winners over the Bulls in their first semifinal, keeping their season alive.