A fast-finishing Mt Barker overhaul a Disappointing Denmark-Walpole

Mt Barker coach Brad Hook described his side’s thrilling four-point come-from-behind win over Denmark-Walpole at Sounness Park on Saturday as his best win since being in charge at the Bulls. The Magpies led by 26 points and were in full control at half-time before the Bulls went on a goal-kicking frenzy in the second half. The Bulls booted eight goals to three in the second half, overrunning their opponents as they produced a memorable win, 9.8 (62) to 8.10 (58), in front of a vocal home crowd. In the third term the home side slammed on the first four goals of the term before Magpies co-coach Ryan Gaerth stemmed the flow as he snapped a great goal on the run. Bull Steven Scott kicked his second before the lively Dionne Woods, now with the Magpies, kicked his second minutes later to help the visitors hold a nine-point lead at three-quarter-time. Woods’ third goal pushed the margin to 16 points at the seven-minute mark of the fourth quarter but the Bulls finished full of running to kick the last three goals of the game to pinch victory. Late in the final quarter Woods pinged his calf before boom recruit Ash McGrath was moved into the middle with little impact as the Magpies’ senior players were not able to get their hands on the ball and stop the Bulls’ charge. The ball was locked in the Magpies forward 50m arc in the dying stages but the Bulls were able to stop them scoring. Sam Lehmann, John Lee (three goals) and Bryce Blaszkow were impressive in the Bulls’ first win of the season. Mitch Jackson was used in the ruck and Marcus Mellon was a strong target all day in attack. Hook was proud of his side’s performance, which he said showed a lot of character. “When we get into a ping-pong match going back and forth that isn’t us,” he said. “I think our third term won us the game, we started to control the game and use our short options. Shayne Zanetti, Luke Hutcheson and Coen Marwick were the Magpies’ best while McGrath had three goals to his name at half-time but faded like his team after the long break. Gaerth said his side were caught ball-watching in the second half. “We were running forward but weren’t running back in the second half and that hurt us,” he said. “They hurt us on the turnover and ran out the game better. “They were getting their hands on it and running in waves and we couldn’t stop them.”