GSFL 2025: Denmark-Walpole notch second win of season in heavy rain and Railways win top-of-the-table clash

Denmark-Walpole claimed their second win of the season to leap back into the top four while Railways moved two games clear on top of the ladder after a wet and wild round eight of the Great Southern Football League season at the weekend. The Magpies overcame a half-time deficit to shake off a persistent North Albany side in driving rain at Collingwood Park on Sunday. It was a second win of the season for the Magpies, both coming over the Kangas, as they kicked nine goals to three in the second half on their way to a 37-point triumph. In one of the games of the season given the conditions, the Kangas produced a stirring second quarter to snatch the lead by the long break. The Magpies led by 22 points at the first change but the home side were terrific in the second as they piled on five goals in heavy rain to take a five-point buffer into the last half. There were three lead changes in an absorbing third term, Xavier Mitchell’s set shot putting the Magpies back in front before Travis Conn booted his third to restore order for the home side. Power forward Tyler Stone kicked back-to-back goals to give his side some separation before young rising star Ryan Hick produced another classy finish, which was followed 30 seconds later by a Sam Holmes conversion on the goal line to give the visitors a 19-point buffer. A melee broke out after the three-quarter-time siren, with nearly every player on the ground involved in the scuffle but no cards were given out. That seemed to give the Magpies more motivation on enemy soil and despite conceding the first goal of the last term, they added four majors in the final stanza to record an important 14.13 (97) to 9.6 (60) win. Graham Ross snapped superbly to reduce the deficit to 13 points before second-gamer Toby McInnes kicked a wonderful dribbling goal. Shayne Zanetti then strolled in casually to add a second as the Kangas’ task became harder. A defensive blunder handed David Arthur a goal against the flow to pull it back to 21 points but Stone would have the final say, kicking the final two goals to ensure his side jumped back into the top four. Stone was awarded the match ball as best-on-ground in Think Mental Health Round after booting five goals. Midfielder Brody Hickey was arguably more influential with his brilliant clearance work and contested possessions setting up countless scores, including Stone’s fourth late in the final term. Young midfielder Jedd Nazzari relished the conditions to win plenty of hard ball and Hick provided lots of poise across half back, while travelling duo Ash Smith and Zanetti were also vital at key stages. Zanetti, Hick and Holmes were the Magpies’ other multiple goal kickers and they lost veteran Ryan Gaerth to a shoulder injury. The Kangas’ first half was impressive, holding their own in the first as the Magpies kicked with the aid of a strong wind that died down later on and winning their fair share of clearances in the middle. Nick Barrow had the ball on a string, Kobi Keen was ever reliable and midfielder Anthony Coyne was terrific around stoppages. Travis Conn booted three goals, youngster Luke Pickering showed great signs and Jyrin Woods worked into the game well. The Kangas have more injury woes with teenager Ulrich Kriek suffering a suspected broken wrist. The Tigers tightened their grip on a top two finish after hanging on against a fast-finishing Mt Barker at Sounness Park on Saturday. With large periods of the game played in heavy rain, the Bulls kicked the only two goals of the final term as they stormed back into the contest but the Tigers clung on desperately to a three-point win. The result was a huge one for the Tigers, who did it without player-coach Bodhi Stubber and leading goalkicker Hayden Parker, and now move two games and percentage clear on top of the table. Tigers midfield gun and reigning Kleemann medallist Ryley Valli got back to his best form with an outstanding game, receiving the match ball after being named best-on-ground by the umpires in Think Mental Health Round. Valli was instrumental in a Tigers’ midfield that go on top early, setting up a handy 12-point half-time lead. Kane Shephard and Matt France kicked the only two majors of the second quarter and after an early stalemate in the third term, the Bulls kicked a much-needed major through Dylan Gowdie. Coen Marwick gave the visitors a direct response but they lost captain Jayden Scott to a yellow card for a high hit on Darcy Wallinger. It took 15 minutes for a score in the dour final term but Dante Wiseman’s conversion gave the Bulls comeback some life and the margin was back to two points after Lee Pavlovich got out the back and kicked his second. A rushed behind after a Valli set shot late in the game pushed the margin to three points and Tigers’ Hayden Leo produced a match-saving tackle to win, holding the ball in the dying moments as his side held on 4.10 (34) to 4.7 (31). Logan Stubber, debutant Mitch Geddes and Leo all had vital moments late in the game for the winners, while grunt midfielder Beau Ewen and ruckman Shane Braimbridge were influential and Shephard kicked two goals. The Bulls were best served by intercept defender Tristan Ballard, while veteran Sam Lehmann played his best game of the season, Kye Griffiths shut Scott out of the game and Darcy Clarke won plenty of the ball. Reigning premiers Albany kicked four unanswered goals in a pivotal third term on their way to a 46-point win over Royals at Retravision Stadium on Saturday. Sharks star Isaac Baum firmed as a leading contender for this year’s Kleemann Medal with another dominant display, while Brett Peake booted four goals as the Sharks had too much experience in the wet to win 11.10 (76) to 4.6 (30). Baum was judged best-afield to win the match ball in Think Mental Health Round. Just 14 points separated the two sides at quarter-time but the Sharks kicked away in the second with three goals to one, stretching the buffer to 27 points. Despite losing key midfielder Bryce Blaszkow to concussion before half-time, the Sharks piled on four goals to nil in the third to take the game away from their co-tenants. The Lions won the last term kicking two goals to one but they suffered a sixth loss of the season and fell outside the top four as a result. Baum was well supported by Ayles, Robbie Lee and Max Grimes, while Harrison Hordacre and Zac Pearson kicked two goals each. Veteran Ryan Kinnear kicked thee of the Lions’ four goals and the other came from hard-working midfielder Declan McNamara. They were joined in the best players list by Cameron Smith and Natalie Trichilo.