Railways are champions!

For just the second time in their 67-year history, Railways secured back-to-back premierships after their incredible four-goal last term was enough to trump North Albany by 22 points in the 2013 Great Southern Football League grand final on Sunday, September 15.

The Tigers appeared on the ropes at three-quarter time and led by a single point after a dominant five-goal third term from the Kangas in front of a vocal crowd at Collingwood Park.

The Kangas enjoyed their best period of the game in the third quarter, coming from 22 points down at the major break as they overran the Tigers.

Kleemann medallist Luke Cameron booted back-to-back goals while key players Brent Welshman and Geoff Wynne got heavily involved as the Kangas took all the momentum into the final break.

The Kangas kicked 5.3 in the third and could quite easily have been in front heading into the final term but two steadying goals from Matt Palfrey and Zak Hortin kept the Tigers in the game.

Logan Stubber, who spent the majority of the third term off the ground with a shoulder complaint, made an immediate impact when he returned.

Stubber was on the end of a smart run of hand balls inside 50, the ball landing in his lap as he ran into an open goal to kick the Tigers first of the final term, putting them seven points ahead.

The home-side fired back with Cameron taking a strong grab and kicking truly from the goal square to give the Kangas a direct reply.

After a rushed behind at the Tigers end, Grant Corcoran’s shot was touched on the line by Bodhi Clifton to deny the Kangas the lead for the first time in the match.

Clifton rose on the goal line to punch the ball forward with the Kangas believing the kick had cleared the line, only for the goal umpire to rule a behind.

The Tigers however finished all in the running in the latter stages of the final term, booting three unanswered goals to claim their second consecutive GSFL premiership, 14.8 (92) to 10.10 (70).

Matt Palfrey could have finished with four goals in the final term but only managed two, running into open goal to push the margin to seven points.

Scott Hillman then slotted a set shot from directly in front before Palfrey fittingly dribbled a cheeky right-foot snap through to seal the victory.

Palfrey finished with seven majors in a telling display while defenders Michael Parker, Bodhi Stubber and Clifton were outstanding in the back half.

Tigers coach Wayne Stubber praised his defence for helping win the game.

“The way our backline controlled the ball and hit targets was outstanding,” Stubber said.

“We have been the best defensive side all year and that’s what you need to win premierships.”

Stubber said it was terrific that his premiership side contained so much youth.

“Credit to the young guys, we had 11 players under 21 today,” he said.

“They showed experienced beyond their years in the last quarter.”

The Tigers versatility was another area Stubber said helped the Tigers win their fifth premiership in history.

The Kangas wasted opportunities in the first half and were hampered by poor execution going forward, conceding five goals to one in the first term.

Kangas coach Mick Mustey said forward Daniel Parker, who finished with four goals, Adam Ditchburn, Nathan Dovey, Declan Mountford and Welshman were their better contributors.

“We didn’t play well enough to win,” Mustey said.

“Railways kicked to Matty’s (Palfrey) advantage, he was probably the difference.”

Mustey said his side’s ball use was a key factor and chasing the Tigers all day didn’t help.

“We probably needed to kick another couple in the third but we just had too many blokes down.”

“We will bounce back from this, we’ve come from nowhere and no one gave us a chance.”

“We used a lot of energy to get back into it in the third.”