Lions seven-goal final quarter blitz ends Tigers’ season

A seven-goal final term has helped Royals book their place in the Great Southern Football League preliminary final after running over the top of fierce rivals Railways at a wet and muddy Tigerland on Sunday afternoon.

With a strong breeze blowing to the North Road end of the ground, the Tigers started brightly but were wasteful in front of goal, kicking 3.7 in the opening term as the Lions scored valuable goals into the wind through Declan McNamara and Ryan Flick.

The Lions kicked two goals in the second quarter to take a slender two-point lead into the main break and they went seven points up through an early major to Tom Maslen in the second half.

However, the Tigers responded after being well held for most of the third stanza as they piled on four late goals.

Bodhi Stubber levelled scores with less than seven minutes to play before Coen Marwick kicked two in a row from deep forward 50 entries and then a late goal to veteran Scott Hillman gave the Tigers a 20-point buffer at the last change.

That margin was simply not enough though as the Lions, aided by the breeze, had 16 inside 50 entries and kicked the first five goals of the final term to snatch back the lead.

Despite a fifth to Coen Marwick at the other end, the Lions replied with two majors in quick fashion to ensure the 21-point result as they eliminated the Tigers from the premiership race.

Captain Ryan Kinnear was outstanding in the final term, dominating on the far wing and kicking two incredible snapped goals, while midfielders Declan McNamara, Henry Hodge and forward Rory Callaghan were also huge in the last quarter as the Lions prevailed 12.8 (80) to 8.11 (59).

The Lions produced some interesting tactical moves, with full-forward Glynn Verbruggen playing behind the ball in the first and Jack Dawson matching up on Coen Marwick while Maslen shadowed Logan Stubber.

Lions coach James McRae said kicking goals into the tough breeze was vital to his side getting over the line.

“We did a fair bit of planning and we were able to do what we set out to do,” he said.

“I thought we were probably a bit fitter, with Railways’ stop-start year through injuries, and kicking four goals into it was huge.

“The last quarter didn’t win us the game, it was kicking four into it that sets your day up.

“We had a great spread of contributors but there is no point dwelling on winning a first semifinal.” The only concern for the Lions is a serious ankle injury to Taylor Powell, who had to be helped from the ground after landing awkwardly in a ruck contest.

The Tigers were best served by star Matt Van Schayk, bulloc-king midfielder Nic Cramer ,while defenders Nathan Penn and Michael Parker were resilient under heavy pressure.

Tigers coach Wayne Stubber conceded a 20-point lead at the last break was never going to be enough. We didn’t make good use of the breeze, in the first quarter,” he said.

“We should have converted better.

“They held us up really well in the third and 20 points was not going to be enough.

“They got on top in the stoppages in the last.

“Our effort and intensity was there but at the end of the day that’s where we are at.”