GSFLW 2024: Railways dispose of North Albany, Mt Barker make it three in a row, Magpies beat reigning premiers

Railways made it two wins on the trot after disposing of North Albany on their home turf while Denmark-Walpole and Mt Barker each emerged victorious after round four of the Great Southern Football League Women’s competition. The Tigers flexed their muscles against a younger and more inexperienced Kangas side in their 6.8 (44) to 2.2 (14) victory at Collingwood Park on Friday. The visitors’ inaccuracy marred their first half but they turned the screws in the second half booting three goals to nil to surge to a 30-point triumph. The game began as an arm wrestle with each side booting a major in the opening term before the visitors began to turn the screws. The Tigers converted two majors in the second to extend their lead to 10 points at the main break. Katie Hartzell, Summer Carpenter and Jessica Fenton were instrumental for the Tigers while Chelsea Geddes and Mereana Wynne each kicked two goals. Kangas’ Anita Onions, Mabel Markey, Josie Western and Pippa Wilson toiled hard in their side’s defeat while Bridget Brown and Laura Nelson each booted one major. Albany suffered their first loss of the season after a determined Bulls side charged to their second straight win of the season at Sounness Park on Friday. Bulls’ Mikayla Balloch bagged a three-goal haul to lead her side to a nine-point victory on their home turf over the ladder-leading Sharks. The Sharks drew first blood on the day with a first quarter goal before a bullish Balloch went to another level to snag three second-quarter majors. Trailing by eight points at the half, the Sharks could only manage a minor score in the third term and entered the final stanza with a seven-point deficit. But the Bulls extended their lead through two behinds to secure a 3.4 (22) to 2.1 (13) triumph. Sophie Richards, Saige Askevold and Simone Pantall were all prolific for the home side while Sharks’ Hayley Williamson, Zarli Curtis, Marlee Ashton and Emma Gooderson worked hard throughout. The Bulls added their third successive win after defeating Denmark-Walpole in their round two fixture that was played on Monday after it was postponed earlier in the season. The Magpies were held goalless in the last three quarters as the Bulls piled on six majors to charge to a 7.4 (46) to 1.4 (10) victory at Sounness Park. Balloch again dominated inside-50 with three goals while Richards (two), Pantall (one) Chloe Semple and Georgia Kowald were all pivotal for the Bulls. Magpies’ Lucia Edwards, Gemma Richardson, Sophie Coates and Erika Tharratt were the best for the Magpies. However, the Magpies did hand Royals their second straight loss with a 25-point win over the reigning premiers at Sounness Park on Friday. The Magpies overcame wayward goalkicking and held the Lions goalless in the first half to help set up their 4.8 (32) to 1.1 (7) victory. After entering the main break with a nine-point advantage, the Magpies had their chances to bury the game in the third quarter but only managed three minor scores. But their three goals to nil final quarter buried the Lions. Amber Jeeves (one goal), Richardson, Rebecca MacDonald (one) and Indi Coates-Ahomiro were key contributors for the Magpies. Joslyn Pass, Paige Ogden, Adelaide Crossing and Nardia Humphries toiled hard for the Lions.