Three final term goals helps Lions secure fourth straight Great Southern Football League sixteens premiership

Three unanswered goals in the fourth quarter guided Royals to their fourth straight Great Southern Football League sixteens premiership after defeating Albany in front of a large crowd at Centennial Stadium on Friday night. The Lions led narrowly at every change and took a two-point advantage into the last term before running away from the Sharks to finish 18-point victors. Ryan Lazar kicked the first goal of the last term after running into an open goal before Jack Carlson added his third major of the game at the eight-minute mark to push the margin to a game-high 13 points. Lions skipper Shane Lock kicked his second goal of the game to stretch the margin to 19 points. The Sharks had two gettable shots through Shane Ugle Jr and Zane Calleja but were only able to register behinds and that would be the closest they would get, the Lions prevailing 9.6 (60) to 5.12 (42) in a terrific contest. Teague Valli was named best-on-ground in the decider for his stellar performance across half-back saving his side a number of times in the last term and was a key link-up man through the centre. Lock (two goals) was strong at centre-half-forward, Carlson’s three goals were vital in the result, Zac Hawkins and Ryley Valli were solid across half-back while Lazar also kicked two majors and was among their better players. Lions coach Darrell Panizza said it was great to see his team step up in the final term. “It was pleasing to see the boys had enough left in tank to run away in the last term,” he said. “I think we have a really even team and Sharks have some really explosive players. “Our backline did a great job and I think our mids were a little bit more consistent. “We as a club are big on kids coming through the system and growing our own and teaching them the culture so it’s great to win four sixteens grand finals in a row.” The Sharks booted the first goal of the game through powerful forward Tobyn Lowry before Carlson instantly responded for the Lions. Ryley Valli then kicked the Lions’ second goal on the run to hand them a four-point lead at quarter-time. The Sharks kicked back-to-back goals, including a second to Lowry, to take the lead in the second but a late goal from Carlson ensured the Lions held a one-point advantage at the main break. Calleja slotted two third-quarter goals but the Lions held firm and managed two of their own to stay in front, which proved decisive in the result. Calleja and Lowry both booted two goals for the Sharks while the work of captain Mitchell Collier through the middle, Jackson Mason and Jake Shepherd was impressive, along with ruckman Gus Bockman. Sharks coach Tom Bowles said the last quarter was disappointing. “Both teams had momentum swings and they kicked goals and we kicked points in those stages,” he said. “In the last term a few of our kids dropped their heads and a couple tried to win it off their own boot and went away from how we wanted to play. “We fell away as a team but you learn from that.”