Kangas progress to grand final after dour struggle

North Albany progressed to their fourth straight grand final in the Great Southern Football League after holding off Royals by 14 points in the preliminary final at Collingwood Park this afternoon.

The Kangas appeared sluggish in the first half and trailed by 13 points at the main break before they clicked into top gear in the third quarter, booting five unanswered goals which set up the victory.

Courtesy of their third quarter blitz the Kangas led by 17 points at the three quarter time which they quickly extended to 23 points when Jake Becroft kicked his second of the game.

The Lions, who were kicking with the aid of a telling breeze, retained a glimmer of hope when youngster Cent Amores goaled and then Callum Wedge produced a freak kick out of mid-air to trim the margin to 10 points.

However Kangas skipper Graham Ross stepped up to snare a second major in the last half before Addison Dew free-wheeled into the home sides forward 50 to slot a lovely running goal that sealed the 11.10 (76) to 8.14 (62) victory.

Ross was superb at half back, setting up a number of goals and kicked two of his own, while Kangas teammate Matt Orzel lifted in the second half and that pair were joined in the better players by Jack McPhee, Dew and ruckman Stewart Davies.

Declan McNamara won plenty of contested ball for the Lions, Tom Maslen worked hard, Amores was lively all day while senior pair Henry Hodge and Rhys Jones also produced solid performances.

In the other grades Railways’ reserves won a thrilling encounter against the Lions in the preliminary final with Laurie Dowsett kicking the winning goal in the last minute to give his side a one-point triumph and book their place in the grand final.

The Lions had a two goal lead at the last change but the Tigers came home strong kicking three majors to one. as they got over the line 8.8 (56) to 8.7 (55).

Dowsett became the hero when his quick kick from congestion 35m out sailed through, the Tigers setting up a replay of last year’s decider.

The Kangas were successful in the colts preliminary final, set up by a five-goal third quarter, as they easily accounted for Albany by 35 points.

Kangas forward Taj Williams was clearly the differnce with five goals as they outpointed the Sharks in the last half to win 12.12 (84) to 7.7 (49).

Meanwhile in the sixteens the Tigers booked their place in the grand final after downing the Kangas by 19 points earlier today.

The Tigers ground away at the Kangas for three quarters to hold a commanding 37 point lead at three quarter time, the Kangas kicked four goals in the last but it wasn't enough with the Tigers prevailing 9.8 (62) to 7.1 (43).