Candy holds hopes for his Magpies

Denmark-Walpole coach Matt Candy is confident his side can rebound from their winless start to the Great Southern Football League season after suffering their fourth straight loss to the undefeated Royals at McLean Park on Saturday.

The Magpies’ 43-point loss continued their frustrating start where they failed to capitalise on periods of momentum as the Lions had all the answers when it mattered.

The margin was reduced to eight points midway through the second term but the Lions steadied through spearhead Sam Baddeley-Holmes, who slotted two of his five goals for the match in the pivotal period.

The Lions’ 25-point half-time margin pushed out to five goals before Tyler Stone twice booted truly to give the Magpies hope again, after which late goals to debutant Joel Flick, ruckman Hamish McMorran and a fourth to Baddeley-Holmes restored the ascendency, which continued until the final siren.

Candy said his side’s poor skills under pressure were costly throughout the contest. “We are moving the ball well but it might have been a first skill or a sec-ond skill where we have just fumbled it and that’s costly,” he said.

“Against a team like Royals who are quick and really good off the ground, you can’t afford to have that mishap.

“The confidence is there.

“They know they took it right up to them but I think Royals were on the back foot a lot but their skills are tidy.”

Recruit Hendrix Ropiha was again impressive in the ruck and centre-half-forward while Candy spoke glowingly of the debut of 15-year-old Hayden Parker, who was given the task in the second term on Baddeley-Holmes.

Lions coach James McRae said his side’s flexibility was proving an early-season asset.