GSFL Round 6: Bulls jump Lions to win on the road, Brett Peake boots 13 goals and Tigers win tribute match

Railways produced a spirited final term to deny North Albany and retain the Warrick Proudlove Tribute Match shield, recording a 30-point win in gloomy conditions to close round six of the Great Southern Football League season at Tigerland on Sunday.

The result pushed the reigning premiers one game clear on top of the ladder as the GSFL heads into their first general bye of the season.

The Tigers held the Kangas scoreless for the entire first quarter as they opened up a 38-point advantage early, wingman Dylan Schorer booting two majors as his side kicked with the advantage of a strong breeze.

The visitors persisted in the second term as they kicked towards the North Road end with the wind and Graham Ross booted two goals to trim the margin back to 23 points at half time.

It was a stalemate in the third term as both sides struggled for the ascendancy and failed to kick a major, the Tigers lamenting a number of missed opportunities to convert chances in front of goal.

An optimistic Kangas kicked with the breeze in the final term and trailed by 27 points, with neither side managing a goal at the city end for the first three quarters.

However an early goal from Tigers defender Ethan Knee killed off any Kangas momentum, pushing the margin to 33 points.

Two consecutive goals from the Kangas courtesy of Kiya Jelley and Ross brought the margin back to within 20 points with 10 minutes left but Knee, Matt Van Schayk and Jack Steel sealed the Tigers win, kicking three final term goals in the 10.9 (69) to 5.9 (39) victory.

Tigers ball winner Mitch Green was crucial in the midfield, collecting a stack of possessions alongside Kane Shephard and Schorer.

Fraser Grant had an terrific second half intercepting superbly for the home side and Dean Newbold dug in to win plenty of late ruck contests to help hold the Kangas at bay in the final quarter.

Kangas midfielder Kobi Keen worked tirelessly all afternoon alongside Alec Haskins and Jarrad McDowall while Ross (four goals) provided the main avenue towards goal for the visitors.

The only sour point for the winners was the loss of star Matt Palfrey to concussion, early in the first quarter.

A superb first half set up Mt Barker’s impressive 17-point win over Royals at Retravision Stadium on Saturday afternoon, as veteran Sam Lehmann kicked six goals.

It was a tale of two halves as the Bulls made use of the dry conditions in the opening half, kicking seven goals to the Lions two before heavy rain and strong wind turned the last half into a scrappy affair.

Lehmann was outstanding as the Bulls key forward, kicking five of his six goals in the first half, while Zach Jackson continued his outstanding first season in the GSFL as the visitors scored a rare win on the road against the Lions.

The Lions kicked the final three goals but the damage was already done, as they fell to a second loss of the season, 5.16 (46) to 9.9 (63).

Lehmann kicked the first two goals of the game and had three by quarter time as the visitors led by 20 points.

The Lions had ample opportunities to reduce the deficit early in the second, peppering the ball inside 50 but managed five behinds.

Ryan Lazar hit the post for the Lions and the Bulls took the ball to the other end where Keegan Berry slotted a goal on the run it take it back to 21 points.

At the 24-minute mark Chandler Askevold-McDonald kicked the Lions second of the match but Lehmann had a fourth as the Bulls responded immediately.

Lehmann marked deep in the forward pocket and was tucked up against the boundary line as the half time siren blew and he slotted a wonderful set shot to take his tally to five and hand the Bulls a significant 27-point buffer.

The Bulls kicked the first two goals of the third to effectively end the contest, as the rain tumbled down.

The margin grew to 35 points at the final change and despite goal to Ryan Lazar and Coel Hunter in the last, the Bulls turned the tables on their earlier encounter with the Lions this season.

Lehmann’s six goals were superb while midfield star Zach Jackson was everywhere for the winners.

Joel Gray and the Price brothers, Josh and Scott, gave the visitors plenty of drive while defenders Darcy Wallinger and Mitch Jackson were also important.

The Lions were left to rue their slow start but were well served by hard-running wingman Joel Flick, Askevold-McDonald and Zak Mola while young pair Ben Altus and Saxon Henrickson were also impressive.

A fantastic 13-goal haul from Brett Peake has catapulted the Sharks back onto the winners list after their 84-point thumping of Denmark-Walpole at McLean Park on Saturday.

A terrific second term from the Sharks was the catalyst for the victory as wet weather created a scrappy second half where both sides struggled for clean possession.

Despite an encouraging start for the Magpies, the Sharks effectively hit the scoreboard throughout the four quarters to run away decisive winners, 20.10 (130) to 7.4 (46).

Both teams opened the contest with ferocity in the first quarter and Magpies pair Brad Nisbett and Ryan Gaerth started blazingly, winning contested possessions to drive their team forward.

The Magpies were buoyed early by their ability to steer the ball inside-50 but the Sharks defence continued to repel most entries, with Kane Pinney and Vince Augustson both rock solid

Tyler Stone hit the scoreboard early and the Magpies had their tail up but a terrific Matthew Martin snap over his head with his back faced to goal helped the Sharks answer back, pushing their lead out to 35 points at quarter time.

The Sharks exploded after the first break, outscoring their opposition seven goals to one in the second quarter as the visitors took control of the game.

Brett Peake was lively early, kicking four first quarter goals and then five in the second quarter.

Torrential rain poured down after half time making conditions tough but Peake found space out the back to add two more majors to take his tally to 11 as the Sharks extended their buffer to 68 points.

The Magpies finished on a positive note, kicking two final term goals, but Peake capped a wonderful day with two more majors as the Sharks secured their fourth win of the season.

Peake was best-afield with 13 goals while midfielders Isaac Baum and Fraser Eaton were impressive all day alongside Robbie Lee and defenders Pinney and Augustson.

For the Magpies, Stone provided much of the target up forward as Barry Roberts played aggressively across the half-back and midfield, intercepting kicks, crashing packs and winning loose balls.

Martin also provided support to Peake in the forward line, booting three majors in the blowout.