GSFL 2025: Denmark-Walpole on the board after dramatic one-point win while two teams remain undefeated

Denmark-Walpole recorded their first win of the season in a nailbiter while Albany and Railways remain the only two unbeaten teams after three rounds in the Great Southern Football League. The Magpies and North Albany played out the best game of the new season, with just one point separating the pair in front of a vocal crowd at McLean Park on Saturday. Meanwhile in Albany, the Sharks were commanding 82-point winners in a dismal grand final rematch and a wayward Tigers outfit overcame Mt Barker by 26 points. All eyes were on the Magpies and Kangas clash, the two teams who missed the finals last year, with both desperate to get on the board early in 2025. The contest had it all, as Tyler Stone inspired the Magpies to victory with seven goals while Kangas’ veteran Graham Ross had the chance to steal the game late but his snap from the forward pocket hit the post. The Kangas only trailed by 12 points at the last change, but the game went to another level in the fourth as the visitors threatened to steal an unlikely win. Jyrin Woods was brilliant in the attacking arc, the move to push Jayden Bootsma into the ruck was a masterstroke and returning veteran Matt Orzel continually drove the Kangas forward as they kicked six goals but ultimately fell short, 12.10 (82) to 12.11 (83). An Ash Smith behind put the home side two points up late in the final term, but the Kangas simply would not fold and they kept attacking, getting the ball into their front half where Ross marked and went back on a tight angle. He played on but his kick hit the post as the home side breathed a sigh of relief, hanging on in an epic finish. Stone was brilliant for the Magpies, with six of his seven majors coming in the opening half as his side led by 13 points at the long break. Midfielder Jaden Guidi had a big say on the result, winning a stack of clearances but he gave up a 50m penalty that started the Kangas wave of momentum in the fourth. Ruckman Stewart Davies was dominant in the first three quarters, senior pair Simon Barker and Ryan Gaerth were busy, Toby LeFort booted two vital goals and Tait Hartfield intercepted well for the Magpies who trailed by seven points at quarter time. Jyrin Woods finished with five goals in a terrific return, skipper Nick Barrow and Orzel were class through the midfield and Regan Christensen produced a brilliant game after being swung back to curb the influence of Sam Holmes. Liam Bennell (two goals) and Travis Conn (two) had their moments, Kobi Keen was busy throughout and Bootsma’s final term in the ruck was outstanding. Reigning premiers the Sharks are yet to put a foot wrong in 2025, powering their way to a third straight win. The contest between the two sides who played in last year’s grand final teams never reached any great heights, but it was the Sharks who marched to a 17.16 (118) to 5.6 (36) victory at Retravision Stadium. Zac Pearson became the first Sharks player to reach 150 league games and life membership, and he was chaired from the ground after kicking a goal in his milestone match. A seven goals to nil first quarter set up result and the Sharks found themselves 58 points clear by half-time. Brett Peake booted five goals and Ashley Ayles added three while the class of stars Taj Williams, Bailey Taylor, Bryce Blaszkow and Kane Pinney stood out for the winners. The Lions had a much more competitive second half, holding the Sharks to seven goals and kicking four themselves. Ruckman Nathan Powell worked tirelessly and midfielder Declan McNamara racked up the possessions. Youngster Shane Ugle and the returning Corey Linthorne also played well with Jaiden Alison their only multiple goalkicker with two. The Tigers are also unbeaten after three matches, overcoming a wayward effort in front of goals to hand the Bulls their first loss of the season at Keep The Sheep Stadium on Saturday. The home side had 1.9 on the board at half-time and led by a slender two points but they kicked six goals to two after the long break to make it three wins on the trot, 7.13 (55) to 4.5 (29). Tigers’ spearhead Hayden Parker kicked three goals while captain Jayden Scott was prolific through the middle of the ground. Daniel Thomas and young pair Hayden Leo and Lachie Cale also served the Tigers well. The Tigers produced a strong defensive display, holding the Bulls to just three behinds in the final term. Ballard brothers Tristan and Seb were strong contributors for the visitors along with Darcy Wallinger and Keane Griffiths while Mitch Jackson booted two majors.