Slick Lions feast on depleted Bulls

An injury-ravaged Mt Barker face the prospect of slipping out of the top four after slumping to a concerning 103-point loss at the hands of a lively Royals on Saturday at Sounness Park.

Entering the match missing seven of their best 22, the Bulls were trampled on after half-time as the Lions piled on 16 second-half goals to five.

The Lions powered away at every change, with their 10-goal final term the exclamation mark in a dominant result over the home side, 25.12 (162) to 9.5 (59).

The Bulls went in without key defender Adam Tissott, midfielder Leigh Conway and damaging forward Dionne Woods, among a long list of outs, and it showed.

While the Bulls’ depth was severely tested, the Lions showcased their plethora of talent, powering away to the percentage-boosting win despite missing five of their best.

Prime movers Michael McGlade, Corey Ward, Tom Maslen and Ryan Flick joined injured duo Cameron Allison and Steven Edwards on the sidelines, but it mattered little.

The visitors proved too slick on a warm day, with evasive forwards Jayson Ford and Jaiden Alison each finishing with five goals, and youngster Tyreice Brown added four goals. Livewire Bulls forward Jesse Wynne finished with four goals as the sole target in attack, while acting captain Luke Hammond also battled on.

The Bulls remain two wins adrift of third-placed North Albany but have only a one-game buffer over Denmark-Walpole and Albany, who both now have one win and remain in finals contention.