GSFLW 2023: Two classy goals from Nardia Humphries help Royals claim tight semifinal over Denmark-Walpole

Royals withstood a strong second half challenge from Denmark-Walpole on Friday night to book their place in the Great Southern Football League Women’s grand final. The Lions won all 10 games in the regular season but were made to work hard for their 11th straight win of 2023, as the Magpies dug deep in the last half at Retravision Stadium. Two goals in the first term handed the Lions the early advantage but the Magpies fought back strong and the margin hovered around the 10-point mark for much of the second half. Two classy goals from Nardia Humphries, one in the first and one in the last, proved the difference in the end as the Lions finished nine-point winners in the semifinal. The result secures a berth in this Friday’s decider for the Lions who will face Albany for the premiership cup. It was a big night for the Lions with Hayley Ashboth and Gracie Gibson making history, running out in their milestone 50th GSFLW games. The Lions kicked with the advantage of the wind in the opening term and booted two unanswered goals. The Magpies were scoreless in the opening term and they wasted some chances with the breeze in the second, managing only three behinds to bring the deficit back to single figures. Both sides kicked a goal each in the third term and the margin remained at nine points but the Magpies had wrested back some control and the game was still up for grabs entering the fourth. The Magpies kicked their second of the game midway through the final term but Nardia Humphries stood tall late in the game to slam through her second major and seal the 4.2 (26) to 2.5 (17) victory. Nardia and Narelle Humphries were brilliant at either ends for the winners while Megan Green won plenty of the ball and defender Shailyn Isaac marked strongly all night. Star midfielder Taylah Orzel, who has been playing WAFLW with Claremont, returned to have a big impact while Gibson and Lowanna Singleton also kicked goals. Youngster Emma Henderson was outstanding in a losing affair while the Magpies also had strong contributions from Laura Webster, Isobelle Venn and Ashlee Kerr. The visitors goals came from Amber Jeeves and Chloe Bleechmore.