NORTH Albany moved one step closer to securing a double chance in the finals with a narrow win over Railways in Round 11 of the GSFL at the weekend.
The Kangas have now won four straight matches and can get within one game of top spot with a victory over Royals this Sunday at Centennial Oval.
In a tough, and at times spiteful, contest at Tigerland on Saturday North Albany led for most of the day to run out winners 10.15 (75) to 10.10 (70).
The first quarter was an entertaining affair and Railways kicked four goals to three to take a four-point lead into the first break.
Tiger Corey Musgrave was forced from the ground early in the game after receiving a blow to the face which ended his day and required him to receive medical treatment.
It is understood the Railways players and officials were seething over the incident which led to the Musgrave injury.
North Albany gained the upper hand early in the second term, kicking three consecutive goals, but a late revival saw the Tigers trail by just two points at the long break.
It was a similar pattern in the third term and the game could have gone either way right until the final siren.
The five straight behinds North Albany managed in the last term were enough to secure them victory, as their opponents only managed a single goal for the quarter.
Best for the winners were Ryan Murphy, Grant Corcoran and Stuart Meyers while Brad McDonald kicked three vital goals.
For Railways, Jared Lane kicked three goals while best players included Nick Sas (two goals) and Nick Cramer who put in a solid four-quarter effort.
Railways coach Rod Gillies remained philosophical about the loss to the reigning premiers.
“We were disappointed to lose the game but that’s footy,” he said.
When asked if he thought that third on the ladder is about where his team was at Gillies added: “Well that’s just where we are at the minute but we have had some pluses and some minuses so far this season.
“We beat North Albany by a few points and they beat us by a few so we are thereabouts.
“There are a lot of younger blokes that have played 40 games-plus who are just settling into the game.
“We are looking at their natural improvement and hope they continue to improve.”
Gillies’ team now sets its sights on the fourth-placed Bulls who upset the Tigers the last time the sides met in Round 7.
“They played well last time and we definitely don’t underestimate them,” he said.
“We will need to bring our A-game if we are going to beat them this time.”
North Albany now take on Royals who easily accounted for the struggling Denmark-Walpole side at McLean Park on Sunday.
The Magpies produced a spirited second term to trail by only 15 points at half time but failed to kick another goal after the long break.
Ken Mills and Aldo Lionetti each kicked three goals for Royals while Trevor Craig and Cleve Humphries were amongst the best players.
Exciting talent Joel Coyne led the way for the Magpies, kicking two first-half goals, and joined Brodie Hickey and Dave McDonald on the best players list.
Royals were superior in fitness and skills as the game wore on and eventually ran out winners 12.11 (83) to 6.2 (38).
Their clash with North Albany is set to be one of the games of the season and a real test for the ladder leaders.
Last time the two sides met, Kangas coach Brad Bootsma inspired his side to a 21-point win with six goals in a best-on-ground display.
In that match Royals had 12 regular players out of their best side but have welcomed back most of those since that clash.
Reserves action from the weekend saw Royals demolish Denmark by 113 points, while in one of the closer Reserves games of the season North Albany beat Railways by 50 points.
In the Colts, Railways sprang a surprise by defeating top side North Albany by 76 points and Royals held Denmark goalless to win by 103 points.
Mt Barker kept their finals hopes alive by coming from behind to beat the Albany Sharks by five points in a thrilling Colts contest.
- Daniel Wiseman.
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