GSFL 2025: Final four goals of the game lift Albany to grand final as brave Mt Barker fall short in prelim

Albany’s hopes of a premiership hat-trick remain alive after a thrilling come-from-behind win over Mt Barker in a brilliant preliminary final in trying conditions at Sounness Park on Saturday. The Sharks’ prospects of a Great Southern Football League grand final berth against Railways emerged out of the clouds only in the final term after a four-goal run put them ahead of the rampaging Bulls for the first time since the opening quarter. Seb Ballard’s goal from deep in the pocket within the first minute signalled a promising final term for the Bulls, stretching the margin to 14 points. A home ground victory at the soggy Sounness Park was snatched from their grasp however, as Max Grimes, Taj Williams, Taylor Coyne and Bryce Blazskow kicked consecutive majors to secure a 9.4 (58) to 6.11 (47) victory — their first against the Bulls this season. The brave Bulls were left kicking themselves after six behinds in the third quarter and just one goal in the last half, as they were bounced out in straight sets. The opening term was a gripping pendulum as momentum swung from the home side to the reigning premiers and back. Daniel Patching shrugged off Sharks gun Robbie Lee to kick the first major of the game 11 minutes in, before Brent Parsons followed with a second minutes later. The visitors then wrestled dominance from the Bulls with goals from Max Baker, Morgan Davies and Ned Shepherd. A snapped major from Lee Pavlovich then put the Bulls back in front by two for the first break. Instrumental Pavlovich proved his mettle with another from the pocket in the second term before Isaac Baum slipped one through for the Sharks. Seb Ballard was nursing his sore shoulder after a contest on the wing but still managed his second major for the Bulls only seconds later to put his side eight-points ahead at half time. Brett Peake’s influence had been limited but he bobbed up with the only goal of the third to keep the Sharks within striking distance. Dylan Gowdie shone in defence all game, neutralising a strong Sharks forward line and taking a stack of intercept marks. Kleemann medallist Bailey Taylor, Lee, and Kane Pinney proved pivotal to the Sharks’ victory while ball magnet Davies also had some terrific moments. Despite being seen in a moon boot only days before Taj Williams was brought into the team and kicked one of his side’s nine majors. Patching and Gowdie were outstanding while Darcy Clarke and Parsons worked hard in the middle for the Bulls. Pavlovich and Seb Ballard both booted two goals while Kobi Williams helped nullify the impact of Baum but they couldn’t stop the Sharks surge late in the game. Royals claimed a tense reserves preliminary final, with Denmark-Walpole wasting two late chances to win the game as their season came to an end. The Lions led for much of the contest but were challenged late in the piece by a determined Magpies side that willed the ball forward at all costs. Cord Brunings had a set shot from a tight angle that missed and then Jack Hickey had a shot after the siren to win the game but played on and the kick didn’t count, as the Lions clung on by five points. The Lions kicked two goals in the first and two in the second, leading by 10 points at the long break. The Magpies kicked the only major of the third but their comeback fell short, as the Lions progressed 5.6 (36) to 4.7 (31). Shane Ugle was important with two goals for the winners while Brendan Girak booted three majors in a losing affair. Albany won an overtime thriller in the colts, beating North Albany by a single point to book a grand final berth. It looked like a runaway win for the Sharks who were leading by 18 going into the long break, until the Kangas, led by Regan Christensen (two goals) came out swinging with three goals in the third term. Another major from Rory Sutherland in the final term put the Kangas ahead for the first time, before a series of Sharks behinds left scores locked at 32 apiece and sent the final to overtime. Despite remaining goalless for the entire second half, it was single behind in the first five minutes of overtime that was the decider, with Sharks knocking out the Kangas 4.9 (33) to 5.2 (32). Royals progressed to the 16s grand final after an upset win over Albany early in the day. The Lions kicked a goal in every quarter, despite the trying conditions, on their way to a 22-point victory. William Baldwin, Will Berry, Robert Blair and skipper Seth Laudehr kicked majors as the Lions made it through to the decider, 4.8 (32) to 1.4 (10). The Sharks were knocked out in straight sets, with their only goal coming via Duggan Wilkes in the second term.