GSFL 2025: Reigning premiers Albany book grand final berth after thrilling final-term victory over brave Bulls

Though Albany’s road to a fourth straight grand final berth was rocky, coach Roy Addis said he never doubted his side after a thrilling come-from-behind win over Mt Barker in a wet and wild preliminary final at Sounness Park. The Sharks’ hopes of a Great Southern Football League premiership hat-trick were anything but secure, with their chances first leaning on an elimination final against Denmark-Walpole and then on defeating the indefatigable Bulls for the first time this season. “I had the belief in them,” Addis said. “I basically just told them, stick to our structures and that last quarter was going to define them as individuals and where we’re at as a football club. ”It means a lot because it’s not the first time that this football club’s done it the long way, if you want to call it that. “We actually call it our way.” The Sharks’ prospects of another grand final 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. 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 term 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. Addis said his side made some key personnel changes in that vital final term. “I think the game itself had momentums, and obviously the Bulls had momentum at times, and then we got it back,” he said. “I felt if we kept applying pressure on their ball carrier and around the contested footy, then we’d certainly give ourselves every opportunity. “We made a few changes up forward with a few players, with a few five-minute bursts, which actually created opportunities, and we took full advantage of those, which is what sealed it in the end, I think.” 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.