Football: Kangas bounced by superior Royals

Royals have moved further ahead at the top of the Great Southern Football League ladder after a convincing 33-point victory against North Albany at Centennial Oval on Sunday.

The Kangas jumped out of the blocks in the first half piling on six goals but just like the weather, things only got worse, with the Lions kicking eight goals in the last three terms to record their eighth win, 10.19 (79) to 7.4 (46).

Cleve Humphries was terrific, floating across halfback to be the game’s most influential player. His two first half goals kept his side in the contest.

After such a brilliant start the Kangas really struggled to move the ball quickly and on a number of occasions, could not release the ball from their defensive 50m arch.

The Lions had 10 scoring shots to nil in the third term and despite kicking nine points, were in total control. Jamie Bolton was superb up forward kicking three goals while Craig Bolton Jr finished with 2.3.

Codie Thiele all but shut Lion Dave Parker out of the contest in what was a rare win for the Kangas but ball magnet Mitch Tuffley had a dark day, Mitch Curnow delivering on a heavy tagging role on Tuffley for the match’s entirety.

Royals coach Darrell Panizza said after that start, his team should have lost but somehow found a way to swing the game.

“(It’s a) testament to the players,” he said. “They worked back into the contest and it is a special win for this playing group.”

Panizza said his side could have easily fallen away but this win showed real fight.

“Whoever wants to win today will win, it was an easy day to fall away but the team showed real character to force their way back in,” he said. “All in all it was a good day, Cleve kept us in the game early and he did what he wanted to in the second half.”

Kangas player-coach Brad Bootsma said his side may have lost the mental advantage at quarter time.

“We started really well but after that I am not sure, maybe it was our mental attitude,” he said. “We were a different side after quarter time, they really turned things around.”

Bootsma praised Thiele for his job but admitted Humphries was difficult to stop.

Got a story? Email Cameron.newbold@albanyadvertiser.com