ROYALS have moved two games clear on top of the Great Southern Football League after a comprehensive 63-point win over Railways on Sunday.
Both sides went into the game undefeated, but it was the home side that stamped its authority on the contest early.
Despite the loss of key player Cleve Humphries with a hamstring injury, Royals managed five first-quarter goals to lead by 21 points at the first break.
Aaron Triplett was in dynamic form for the blue and whites. He kicked three goals for the game in a dominant performance from the wing.
Railways couldn’t manage to get on top of their opponents, and a number of small skirmishes occurred as they became frustrated throughout the first half.
A relatively even second quarter saw Royals take a 30-point lead to the long break, with Jamie Bolton again prominent and Chris Denney racking up possessions in midfield for Royals.
Railways’ players again struggled in the second half although Jared Lane was outstanding in parts, with Michael Cramer and Callum Burgess (two goals) both useful.
The 41-point lead Royals took into the final change proved insurmountable, as their forwards sprang into action after a scrappy start.
Bolton set up a number of goals adding to his tally, while Aaron Williams and Aldo Lionetti also dominated on the scorecard.
The five goals to one final term saw Royals run out winners 19.12 (126) to Railways 9.9 (63) as darkness set in.
Royals now have a bye in Round Five but will keep top spot regardless of other results from the weekend.
Railways take on Denmark-Walpole who overcame the Bulls at McLean Park on Sunday.
Mt Barker started well and Ben Saunders found the goals early to shoot the Bulls out to a two-goal lead at the first break.
Led by giant ruckman Dave McDonald, the home side swung into action in the second term as Tyler Stone and Brodie Hickey started to gather more of the ball.
The Bulls failed to score a major in the second quarter and Denmark had wrested the narrowest of leads by the long break.
A shoulder injury to Darwin recruit Dwayne Berto didn’t help the Bulls.
Berto was taken to Albany Hospital for treatment and looks set to miss at least a month of football.
The low-scoring affair continued in the second half as both sides battled to gain any momentum in their play.
Inaccuracy plagued both sides as the poor skills around the ground and especially in front of goals became evident to all at the ground.
Tyler Stone added his third goal for the Giants to take their lead to 14 points midway through the final term and they looked to be just about home.
But the Bulls were not done with, and a late revival put some interest back in the contest.
The visitors peppered the goals, but some critical misses cost them as they couldn’t get in front on the scoreboard.
Saunders, Sam Lehman and Brett Greeney all had a chance to put the Bulls in sight of victory, but the siren rang just before Saunders took a mark inside the forward 50.
The Giants had hung on in a thriller to register their first win for season 2009.
Best players were McDonald, Stone, Hickey and Dempster, while Nathan Skinner, Michael Wright and Lehman again played well for the Bulls.
“We had our chances but just couldn’t capitalise,” Mt Barker captain Tristan King said.
“You could say we were unlucky in some areas as we pegged them back late, but we squandered too many opportunities.”
“To have the majority of the ball and still lose makes things a little bit tough.”
The Bulls host North Albany this week and will be desperate to register their first points of the season, while the Kangas will look to stay in touch with the league leaders.
The reigning premiers have battled to get any momentum in their season with some ill-timed byes, and will go to Frost Park with a almost full-strength outfit.
It has been some time since the Bulls have beaten North Albany, but it is a record that King is keen to turn around.
“We just have to keep plugging away and see what happens,” he said.
“Beating the Albany sides is always tough but the boys are really keen to give it our best shot.”
Denmark-Walpole also got themselves on the winner’s board in the Reserves competition, beating the Bulls by 21 points.
Royals produced a big third quarter to overcome Railways by 15 points in their game.
Trailing by 16 points at the main break, Hayden Burling and Callum Dowell led the home side home with a big second half, while the Tigers only added one goal for the half.
In the Colts, Royals dominated to thump Railways by 81 points with Dylan Morgan best on ground, and North Albany kept their undefeated record intact with an 89-point win over the Sharks.
Mt Barker had their first win of the season as Brayden Lubcke kicked four goals in a best-on-ground performance for the Bulls.
- Daniel Wiseman.
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