Kangas far too strong for Magpies in the wet

After conceding the first goal of the game, North Albany kicked the next eight of a wet and windy contest at Collingwood Park on Sunday afternoon on their way to an emphatic 42-point win over Denmark-Walpole.

The win ensures the defending premiers maintain their place in the top two at the halfway point of the Great Southern Football League season, and was an impressive response to their heavy defeat the previous week.

The return of Matt Orzel to the side and a return to top form by fellow Kangas star Jack McPhee was the perfect tonic for the home side as they overpowered a gritty Magpies side, 8.11 (59) to 1.11 (17).

Former West Perth big man Shayne Zanetti was a welcomed inclusion for the Magpies after missing a big chunk of last season with injury, taking a powerful mark and kicking a booming 60m goal in the tough breeze to give the visitors an ideal start.

The Kangas levelled scores late in the first through emerging youngster Alex Pearce and second-term goals to Luke Cameron and Beau Rogers helped them open up a 13-point half-time lead.

The Magpies had their chances up forward but misses to Codey Baxter and Luke Marley in the third did not help their cause.

McPhee was superb around the ball and in the air, driving his side constantly into attack as they kicked four goals in the final term.

Tall pair Luke Cameron and Stuart Parker impressed, as did teenager Lachy O’Shea.

The Kangas head into this week’s general bye with a 5-2 record.

Orzel finished with 26 disposals, 16 of which came in a prolific first half, while Magpies star Ryan Gaerth finished with 23 touches. Kangas coach Craig Dew said it was a danger game for his side.

“We had to win — it was wet and miserable and they are games you can drop,” Dew said. “Endeavour really won it for us and injury profile-wise, after Landmark we should have everyone available.”

The only concerns for the Kangas were a concussion to Ray Padfield and Beau Rogers limping from the ground with a knee injury. The Magpies were without key ball winner Jaden Guidi.

Clancee Pearce again did not play but Baxter was terrific around the ball, winning plenty of clearances while Luke Marley, Gaerth and Dylan Judd were also solid.

“We’ve got to get better,” Magpies coach Matt Candy said.

“We were average and should be disappointed with that.”

Tyler Stone came off with a back complaint and failed to play out the match while Hayden Collard was encouraging coming back from an injury lay-off.