GSFL 2025: Railways skip clear on top of ladder, Royals win McLean Park thriller and Mt Barker’s away win

Railways moved a game clear on top of the ladder while Royals and Mt Barker were also winners in round five of the Great Southern Football League competition on Saturday. The Tigers completed the first set of fixtures against their five rival teams unbeaten, after demolishing the reigning premiers by 60 points at Retravision Stadium. The clash at McLean Park was a ripping contest as the Lions notched a second win of the season, eclipsing Denmark-Walpole by four points, while the Bulls moved to outright second on the ladder as they took care of North Albany by 38 points at Collingwood Park. In the top of the table clash, the Tigers registered their first win over the Sharks since August 2023 as they dominated the second half with 11 goals to two. The injury-ravaged Sharks booted three first quarter goals to lead at the first change and trailed by only five points at half-time. However, the second half belonged to the visitors, as they piled on the pain to run away with a convincing 14.8 (92) to 5.2 (32) win. With Shane Braimbridge controlling the ruck, the Tigers won the midfield battle as Ryley Valli, Jayden Scott, Beau Ewen and Lachie Cale all won a stack of the ball. Hayden Parker (five goals) and Kane Shephard (three) were the main beneficiaries up forward from the regular supply while player-coach Bodhi Stubber and Logan Stubber were resolute across half back. A six-goal third term gave the Tigers plenty of breathing space and they added five more in the final stanza to seal their fifth straight win to start 2025. The Sharks took another hit with star intercept defender Kane Pinney stretchered from the ground with an ankle injury. Bailey Taylor, Bryce Blaszkow and Jesse Owens worked tirelessly for the Sharks while Isaac Baum received a yellow card for umpire abuse. The Lions moved into the top four after they claimed a thrilling contest over the Magpies. Scores were level at three quarter time and despite kicking 1.5 in the final term, the visitors clung on to their second win in as many weeks. Joel Flick booted the Lions’ vital major in the final term as the Magpies also kicked one at their end, but the visitors held on 11.14 (80) to 11.10 (76). Declan McNamara was again brilliant in the middle and kicked two goals while Flick and Cleve Humphries chipped in with two each. Michael McGlade and Seb Stanton were also influential in the result. James Charlesworth led the way for the Magpies with four majors and he was well supported by Ash Smith, Ryan Hick and Nelson Tulip. The Magpies led by two points at quarter time but conceded five goals in the second to fall behind. A powerful five goal to two third term from the home side levelled scores at the last change to set up a thrilling finish. The Bulls produced three strong quarters to overpower the Kangas, as Brandon Ugle finished with four goals. Ugle was the Bulls focal point in attack and should have finished with a bigger bag, missing a couple of shots on goal. The Bulls had four goals on the board at quarter time and by half-time had opened a 33-point advantage. The visitors put the game to bed in the third with another four majors to stretch the buffer to 54 points. The Kangas refused to roll over and fought back well in the last with three unanswered goals, going down 6.3 (39) to 11.11 (77). Daniel Patching and Darcy Wallinger were dynamic around stoppages for the Bulls, Darcy Clarke was also influential and ruckman Keane Griffiths got on top after an injury to Kangas’ Jayden Bootsma before half-time. Ugle and Camball McMahon combined for seven of the Bulls’ 11 goals while Tyreice Brown made a surprise return. The Kangas were without Bootsma (shoulder) and Anthony Coyne (back) in the second half but fought on gamely. Matt Orzel and Nick Barrow won plenty of the ball, young forward Ulrich Kriek kicked two goals and Regan Christensen also worked hard.