GSFL round 1 recap: Ash McGrath boots five in winning start with Magpies while Tigers survive a late scare and Lions start with a bang

Denmark-Walpole made an early season statement, running out convincing round 1 winners as they unveiled prized recruit Ash McGrath in the Great Southern Football League opener at McLean Park. McGrath, who played 214 AFL games with the Brisbane Lions, played a strong hand for his new club as they finished impressive 78-point winners over a young and inexperienced Albany outfit. There was plenty of storylines in the round 1 encounter with McGrath among a host of new faces for the Magpies while the Sharks officially began their 2020 campaign under new coach Jamie Ramm. The Magpies kicked the first five goals of the contest, two of which came from McGrath’s boot, as they opened up a 33-point quarter time advantage. From there the home side never looked back as star trio Ryan Gaerth, Shayne Zanetti and Coen Marwick powered the Magpies to victory, 15.10 (100) to 3.4 (22). McGrath finished with five majors playing the entire game as a deep forward while Cody Kerr and Jarrad Gardner kicked three goals apiece. The Sharks had their best period in the second term with new recruit Kieran Zilm kicking their first major and then hard-working midfielder Isaac Baum gave the visitors a second. Baum and Jeremy Walker both played for Sharks given their club Boxwood Hill has not started their season yet. Sam Christo provided plenty of drive for the Sharks while Baum was outstanding in the midfield. Zilm finished with two majors and youngster Hudson O’Dea was also a solid contributor in the loss. Reigning premiers Royals wasted no time in kicking off their title defence, as they coasted to a 61-point win against Mt Barker to celebrate Brayden Parker’s 100th game in style. Jordan Heil, the 2019 Alan Barnett medallist, set up the win to help his Lions get on top early and then skip clear in the second half at Centennial Stadium yesterday. The Lions kept the Bulls goalless until the final two minutes of the second term when Brent Parsons converted a set shot. The home side slammed on six goals to one in the third term before eventual finishing victorious, 14.9 (93) to 4.8 (32), but it came at a cost as they finished the game with no fit players on the bench. They lost Joel Flick (shoulder), Braden Murphy (knee), Nathan Small (concussion) and Jaiden Alison (concussion). Heil had a stack of possessions and was easily best on ground, while Jayson Ford (four goals), Tom Maslen, Ryan Kinnear and Michael McGlade were all influential. Sam Lehmann tried hard all day for the Bulls along with Luke Hammond and David Stone while Darcy Wallinger and Mitch Jackson showed promise in the forward half but their side was unable to convert on the scoreboard. Railways survived a final quarter scare from North Albany to record their first win of the season at Collingwood Park yesterday. Tigers’ big name recruit Matt Palfrey booted four goals in the first term as his side dominated, kicking seven goals to nil. By half time the Tigers had extended their advantage to 61 points and they added another three goals in the third term as the Kangas went into the final break 65 points down. However the home side produced an inspired fourth term, as they piled on eight goals to surge back into the game. The Tigers managed to hold on, winning by 22 points as Palfrey finished with six majors and was well supported Mitch Green, Harry Miles and Cyrus Upson. Luke Cameron was terrific with four goals for the Kangas while Nathan Crudeli and Talon Delacey won plenty of the ball.