Bulls run over Lions to secure second

Mt Barker stormed to nine straight wins to set a second semifinal date with defending premiers North Albany after comprehensively disposing of Royals by 52 points in a battle for the finals double chance at Sounness Park on Saturday afternoon.

The Lions’ third straight loss left James McRae’s men now facing a cut-throat elimination final against arch-rivals Railways to keep their staggering season alive.

After a bright start from where the Lions led by three points at quarter time and a brief resurgence in the third term when they snapped a goal drought of more than 30 minutes, they were comprehensively beaten for the majority of the contest in another concerning effort.

The tight-knit Bulls defence locked down from quarter time, with the Lions adding only two goals from eight scoring shots.

Up the other end, the Bulls forwards took advantage of an undersized back six, with veteran Ryan Ballard slotting four goals before half time and former Royal Wayne Bolton chiming in during the second half with four goals as well.

However, the Bulls will face a nervous wait after key midfielder Peter Taylor was red-carded and reported for striking Lions tagger Tom Maslen in the stomach in the third term and will face the tribunal this week.

Maslen worked tirelessly to nullify the influence of the Bulls’ chief ball winner Nic Chidgzey, but the home side still had the winners to generate a lopsided clearance count as well as keeping the Lions forwards in check, with Jayson Ford and Glynn Verbruggen kept to only one goal between them, kicked by Ford.

Only one goal was kicked in the third term through Lions captain Ryan Kinnear when the visitors briefly threatened to take advantage of the Bulls being reduced to 17 men.

They trailed by only 24 points at three-quarter time but were run over in the final term as the margin almost reached 10 goals.

Cameron Quenby continued his stellar season down back on Ford, while John Lee threatened to kick a bag across half forward but only managed 2.4 in a dominant display.

Bulls coach Shane Thompson said confidence was growing among the group.

“We always thought we could get to second to get that double chance and another crack at North Albany; it’s really pleasing for the group and we will be confident going into that game,” he said.

“Take away the first four goals they kicked in the first quarter, our back line was sensational.

“We are really happy where we are to be 2-4 and now 11-4 after nine wins. It has been a lot of hard work.”

McRae said his side once again faded disappointingly after a bright start.

“We came to play in the first quarter and in the second quarter we just went away from it,” he said.

“They are a very, very good side.

“We are a young side, mentally we have to stay in the game.

“The last two weeks the intensity has gone up and we have struggled to adapt.”