GSFL 2024: Brad Hooks says Bulls were lucky to escape with four points after late scare against Magpies

Mt Barker coach Brad Hook says his side were outplayed by an improving Denmark-Walpole outfit and were fortunate to walk away with four points at Sounness Park on Saturday. The Bulls recorded their first win of the 2024 Great Southern Football League season in thrilling circumstances, with a goal in the dying minutes denying the Magpies a comeback victory. Power forward Brodie Duffield returned to the Bulls line-up in round two but Hook said his team struggled to adapt to the wet conditions. “We were very lucky to escape with the win,” Hook said. “If it wasn’t for our good second quarter we wouldn’t have won. “Another five minutes and the game would have been Denmark’s. “They wanted it more, used the ball better, and were cleaner. “Discipline was also an issue for us. We gave away four 50m penalties, and three resulted in goals.” The Magpies produced a terrific final term to hit the front but the Bulls, who were dangerous around stoppages all day, surged the ball forward, and veteran Sam Lehmann used all his smarts to get out the back and kick the winning goal in the final couple of minutes. A vastly changed Magpies outfit started strongly and led narrowly at quarter-time but the Bulls stormed back into the contest in the second term, booting four goals with the breeze. In heavy conditions, Mitchell Pearce bobbed up with two goals, while Lehmann and Camball McMahon also kicked truly to ensure the home side took a 16-point lead into the long break. There were only three goals kicked in a dour third term but an ill-disciplined Bulls gave up a 100m penalty that gave Revis Alone a major from the goal square as the Magpies sneaked closer. The Magpies took that momentum into the final term as first Gus Brampton kicked slammed the ball on his boot into a vacant goal square and then Bailey Bennett kicked his third from a set shot to get them within three points at the 15-minute mark. Ben Olden was then awarded a free kick in the 21st minute, kicking truly to put the Magpies in front by five points. Less than a minute later, however, the Bulls made an immediate response as the ball went over the back of a pack deep in the forward line and Lehmann happily strolled in to kick his third and snatch back the lead. Duffield had a shot on goal late in the piece which landed short but it didn’t matter as his side hung on desperately for a 7.11 (53) to 8.4 (52) triumph. Midfield pair Daniel Patching and Tyreice Brown were superb in the Bulls’ first win of the season. Zach Jackson had his moments but spent the second half forward nursing a pectoral injury, while Brent Parsons and Darcy Wallinger also had plenty of influence. The Bulls finished the game without any players on the bench after injuries to Zach Jackson, Darcy Lubcke (quad), Keegan Taylor (knee) and Mitch Jackson (shoulder). The Magpies were wonderfully served by Reagan Hutchinson, who controlled the game across half-back and gave plenty of drive. Marlon Mastalerz was dominant around the stoppages all afternoon, while fellow youngsters Noah Madaffari and Brampton also impressed, and Banjo Watkins started strongly before a finger injury left him sidelined in the second half. Magpies coach Brad Nisbett said his side were improving but it would have been nice to chalk up an early win. “We are a completely different team and different club to what we were last year,” Nisbett said. “We are in a lot stronger position and have a bit more depth and quality. “We were in the game at three-quarter-time, and in previous years we would have got blown out of the water. “We outperformed them in the last but just couldn’t get the win, which was disappointing. “Most of the guys haven’t played together. There is a lot of new faces but if you play with effort each week you’ll be in the game, and that’s what we did.”