GSFL Round 7: Sharks make history in derby, Bulls win top of the table clash and Magpies win first game

Albany recorded a historic victory, beating Royals in a league fixture for the first time in their history after claiming Sunday’s Retravision Stadium derby by 43 points in round seven of the Great Southern Football League. The Lions started strongly with four goals kicking to the end favoured by the wind but they would only add three more for the rest of the match as the Sharks, inspired by former AFL player Brett Peake, produced their best performance of the season. Peake booted six goals in a match-winning display as his Sharks came from 14 points down at quarter time to snatch the lead by half-time. He booted three majors in the second term as the Sharks took a 10-point advantage into the second half. Peake added two more in the third stanza, while majors to Max Baker and Matt Martin helped them extend their buffer to 19 points. Hamish McMorran was swung forward and managed two goals in the third for the Lions but they faced an uphill battle in the fourth with their rivals kicking to the scoring end. Sharks midfielder Isaac Baum kicked the first major of the last quarter but veteran Ryan Kinnear got a quick reply at the other end. However the Sharks kept finding the answers as they kicked the last four majors of the game, young star Baker putting an exclamation point on the victory with a running goal in the dying minutes as his side notched a famous win, 15.6 (96) to 7.11 (53). The result lifts the Sharks to five wins from seven games, joining Railways and Mt Barker in a terrific battle at the top of the ladder. Peake was awarded the match ball in Talk To A Mate Round for his highly influential display, booting six goals and providing a wonderful target in attack all day. Tough ball winners Fraser Eaton and Baum were outstanding around the stoppages, helping their side gain the ascendancy after quarter time, and they also got great contributions from Cameron Jones and wingman Robbie Lee. Zac Pearson and Baker chipped in with three majors for the winners. For the Lions, midfielder Zak Mola was tremendous around the ball as he won countless clearances and possessions while Nic Ashford was strong in defence to limit Martin to only one major. McMorran was their only major goal kicker, Kinnear won plenty of the ball and skipper Brayden Parker made an impressive return from a hamstring injury. Denmark-Walpole secured their first win of the season after beating a wayward North Albany at Collingwood Park on Saturday. The Magpies have struggled this season, thumped in multiple games and were winless in the first six rounds but they responded with a strong effort on the road, coming from behind at quarter time and then holding off a late surge from the home side to win by 27 points. The Kangas kicked four goals in a free-flowing opening term but the visitors rallied and had hit the front by half-time as they began to get on top in the midfield thanks to senior pair Jaden Guidi and player-coach Brad Nisbett. The match was won in the third term though, as the Magpies piled on five goals to one and opened up a 31-point buffer. Two majors came from the boot of young forward Bailey Bennett, Guidi was rewarded for his in-and-under efforts with a goal while Brandon Woods and Tyrone Kennedy also hit the scoreboard. The Kangas had ample opportunities in the final term, as they took the game on in an attempt to get back in front but they were woeful in front of goal. Graham Ross kicked a third major and the hard-working Alec Haskins goaled but their side returned 2.8 in the last quarter and slumped to a sixth loss of the season. Bennett capped a lively display with his fourth and then midfielder Aaron Wheeler sealed the 13.17 (95) to 8.20 (68) triumph. Guidi was awarded the match ball for his superb display while Nisbett was also influential in the middle of the ground and Tyler Stone was a great presence up front but missed a number of shots on goal. Wheeler, Barry Roberts and youngsters Samuel Ross and Reagan Hutchinson all played key roles in the win. Travis Conn intercepted the ball well for the Kangas, midfielder Nathan Crudeli won plenty of the ball while Alec Haskins and Kiya Jellay both were strong performers. Highly-rated teenager Lucas Ravenhill took some towering marks and kicked a goal in a solid return for the Kangas. Mt Barker defeated Railways for the second time this season after a convincing four-quarter effort helped them emerge 25-point victors at Sounness Park on Saturday. In the top of the table clash the Bulls led at every change in a terrific victory over the persistent Tigers, 17.11 (113) to 13.10 (88). Bulls star Sam Lehmann set the tone early for the home side, kicking four goals in the first quarter to open an early 19-point margin at the opening break. Tigers’ Matt Palfrey and Fraser Grant both slotted a goal each to bring the visitors within touching distance but the Bulls kept finding answers, as star ball winner Zach Jackson, youngster Ben Kirkwood and the returning Kyle Smith added goals in the second term. Palfrey moved into the middle after half-time to try and wrestle back control for the Tigers and both sides managed two goals in the third but the home side held a 20-point advantage at the last change. Despite the Tigers ramping up their pressure in the fourth quarter, the Bulls held firm and outscored their opponents five goals to four to notch their fifth win of the season and sit second on the ladder by only percentage. Lehmann (six goals) was among the home side’s best players along with Zach Jackson (three goals), who spent time forward and through the midfield. Lee Pavlovich was superb in reading the play as part of the Bulls’ well-drilled defensive brigade, while ruckman David Stone and Steven Scott (three goals) were also key figures in the result. Stone won the Talk To A Mate Round match ball, judged best-afield by the umpires. Palfrey (five goals) was the Tigers’ best contributor while the visitors were also well-served by midfield pair Jayden Scott and Logan Stubber and playmaker Mitch Green.