GSFLW 2026: Railways secure second spot on the ladder after a convincing win against Denmark-Walpole on Friday

Railways secured a top-two finish and a finals double chance heading into the final round of the 2026 Great Southern Football League Women’s season, after a convincing win over Denmark-Walpole on Friday. A four-goal to nil blitz in the second half set up the Tigers’ 29-point win at Collingwood Park, as they locked themselves in for a qualifying final showdown against Albany later this month. The Tigers set the tone early with a dominant first term but they could only manage four behinds while holding the Magpies to just a single point. Both sides broke through for their first goals in the second quarter, with Abby Needs booting the Magpies’ only goal of the night. The Tigers led by five points at half time and eight at three quarter time before breaking the game open in the final term. They finishing strongly with 3.3 in the final quarter while keeping the Magpies scoreless in the second half, to record an emphatic 5.9 (39) to 1.4 (10) win. Maddison Dallimore and Abby Duncan led the charge up forward for the Tigers with two goals apiece and Taiah Curtis kicked their other while Hannah Tweedie, Kiahn Perry, Kathryn Slattery and Brittany Smeed were influential across the ground. Esme MacDonald, Grace Dempster, Brittany Finigan and Erika Tharratt were the Magpies best contributors. Mt Barker delivered a dominant performance on home soil on Friday night, powering a 46-point win over Royals to end the Lions slim finals hopes. The Bulls stamped their authority early kicking six goals in the first half while restricting Royals to a single behind to establish a 41-point lead at the main break. They maintained control after half time adding three more majors to keep the pressure on. The Lions showed a late fight in the final term kicking their only two goals via Henrietta Lilford and Serenity Hardy but the margin proved too great to overcome. Mikayla Balloch was instrumental for the Bulls with a four-goal haul, while Sarah Gaudion, Mae Porter, Chelsea Williams and Sophie Richards added one major each to secure the 9.7 (61) and 2.3 (15) victory at Sounness Park. Chanel-Rose Jetta, Gracie Gibson, Cheyane Hardy and Leah Field were standouts for Lions while Megan Nekel, Mae Porter, Libby Morris and Balloch were key performers for the Bulls. In the other game at Collingwood Park, Albany overpowered North Albany on their home turf with a crushing 99-point victory. The Sharks took control before half time, piling on four goals and 11 behinds while restricting the Kangas to just one goal and one point. There was no let up after half time, with the Sharks locking the ball in their forward half and adding another seven majors. The Kangas managed just a single behind in the second half as the visitors ran riot claiming victory, 16.11 (107) to 1.2 (8). Kirstie Cooper kicked the Kanga’s only goal, while Emilie Baird starred for the Sharks with a remarkable eight-goal haul. She was well supported by Emily Wray, Alice Jones, Mikala Bower, Fiona Do and Rachel Kent who all also hit the scoreboard. Lucy Barnett, Abbie Bootsma, Poet Smargiassi and Alyssa Smith were key players for the Kangas, while Baird was well supported by Wray, Bower and Samantha Waltho for the winners. In round nine of the youth girls Railways secured a 13-point win against Denmark-Walpole, while Royals dominated with a 75-point victory against Mt Barker and North Albany were winners by 30 points against Albany. In the final GSFLW fixtures of the regular season all games will be at McLean Park on Saturday with Mt Barker set to face North Albany at noon, Railways will go up against Royals at 2.45pm and Denmark-Walpole will take on Albany at 5.30pm.