GSFL 2025: Scott’s five goals help Railways to third flag in five years as Sharks fall short in gripping final

The celebrations lasted into the night and beyond as Railways toasted their third Great Southern Football League premiership in five years, clinched by their 15-point grand final victory over Albany at Keep the Sheep Stadium on Saturday. The league triumph was the third of a memorable day, coming after the colts and reserves had also won flags, but it was probably the hardest-earned after a contest with the Sharks that was brutal in its intensity from start to finish. The Tigers have roared in recent GSFL history, winning league flags in 2021 and 2022 and losing to the Sharks in 2023 but Saturday’s cocktail of conquests will probably rank as the day nobody in the club will want to forget. The reigning premiers were gallant in defeat, twice getting to within three points in the third term but the Tigers lifted in the crucial moments to complete a memorable win. While the attention before the grand final was focused on whether goal machine Hayden Parker could kick the three majors he needed to clock 100 for the season, it was Tigers’ skipper Jayden Scott who stole the show. Named best on ground to receive the Alan Barnett Medal, Scott booted five goals to be the player who made the difference in a low-scoring, heavily contested game. Parker, who kicked one for a campaign tally of 98, was well stitched up by Sharks defender Cameron Jones. Brett Peake, with his hair dyed blue for the occasion, was the main Sharks goal threat, grabbing four of their six and revelling in his role as pantomime villain. But although a forward took the main award, it was a match where defences dominated. There was stoppage after stoppage and marks were like gold dust as Tigers ran out winners 8.10. (58) to 6.7. (43). For Tigers’ player-coach Bodhi Stubber, lifting the cup was well deserved and came in tandem with a commanding on-field performance which included a vital first-quarter goal. He said he was proud of the way his players fought from start to finish. “It was high-pressure, high-intensity with no easy kicks and that’s what finals footy is all about.” In his second year at the helm, Stubber believes the Tigers’ fast start paid dividends and prevented their rivals from gaining control early. “We knew we had to start fast because they are a team and if they get in front, it’s hard to peg them back,” he said. “But I knew we had done enough work that we could respond if they did get that momentum shift and to the boys’ credit, there wasn’t a moment where they stood down to that.” He had special words for Scott, Beau Ewen and also Declan Willey who went off injured early in the first quarter with what looked like a serious knee injury. “Beau in the middle was bloody inspirational; he just went all day, all over the ground,” he said. “Declan has been one of our premier back men, but we had Daniel Thomas on the bench, our spare parts man who can more than hold his own, and that meant we just took it on and went about our business. “It was one of those games where we could celebrate every goal because we knew they were at a premium.” He felt the Sharks having to go through a tough preliminary final in Mt Barker might have given his side an advantage. “They have been the benchmark team and they probably didn’t have the best start to the season but their best footy had been in the last month so we knew they were hitting their straps at the right time,” Stubber said. “Last week probably took it out of them a little bit and I think you could see that in the last quarter.” Scott got the ball rolling with two goals in a first quarter where the Tigers had the edge, Stubber adding a third and only Peake replying for Sharks. A feisty second quarter saw Sharks gain the upper hand with Peake booting two goals to Scott’s one and looking as though they had control of the midfield. Though the Tigers led by nine points at the main break, the Sharks had closed the gap to four by three-quarter-time as Taj Williams and Zac Pearson nailed goals while, for once, Parker got the better of Jones to kick a settler for the home side. The Tigers came out with all guns blazing in the final term as Scott booted the first two majors, but the Sharks kept coming. Peake had a fourth major to reduce the deficit to 10 with 10 minutes left. However, Bailin Curtis sealed grand final glory for the Tigers when he converted tucked up in the forward pocket after winning a free kick for holding the ball, his first major after three earlier behinds. Lachie Cale was superb in helping negate the impact of Sharks star Morgan Davies. Ewen provided the much-needed midfield grunt while Ryley Valli’s second half was terrific. The Tigers’ defence was also very sturdy, led by youngsters Hayden Leo and Milan Jaggi while ruckman Shane Braimbridge and experienced heads Kane Shephard and Joel Want also had pivotal moments. Kleemann medallist Bailey Taylor was brilliant in a losing affair, constantly driving his side forward at every opportunity while Brock Anning and Jesse Owens were also influential. Jones was huge in his role to cut Parker out of the game, Peake finished with 4.4 and Robbie Lee worked tirelessly between the arcs. However with Davies well held, Pinney troubled by his knee and Isaac Baum very quiet, the Sharks couldn’t spoil the Tigers’ party.