Second-term blitz sets up Tigers

A nine-goal second-term blitz guided Railways to a convincing 47-point victory over Denmark-Walpole in round 3 of the Great Southern Football League at McLean Park on Saturday.

In warm conditions, the Tigers were stunned by the home side in the first term as ruckman Hendrix Ropiha and Ryan Gaerth and Kaden King-Davies helped send the ball into attack regularly.

Tyler Stone booted two goals, big man Shayne Zanetti kicked his first, and the Magpies finished with six majors to take a comfortable 25-point lead into quarter-time.

However, what happened after that break was hard to fathom as the Tigers completely dominated at the stoppages and gave their forwards terrific supply.

Led by star midfielder Zane Marwick, the Tigers rallied to kick the first five goals of the second term and snatched back the lead within minutes.

Stone was crunched in a heavy tackle and recovered to slot a third but it would be the Magpies’ only joy as the visitors kicked nine goals to one and led by a defining 47-point margin at half-time.

In his 50th league game, Coen Marwick feasted on terrific delivery and had four majors by the main break.

The Magpies tried hard to reduce the deficit in the second half but the Tigers stood firm as Zane Marwick produced another best-on-ground display in the 19.12 (126) to 12.7 (79) victory. Matt Van Schayk (three goals) was highly influential with a stack of contested marks, Coen Marwick finished with 6.5, and Bodhi Stubber provided great drive off half-back.

The Magpies were best served by ball magnet Gaerth, while King-Davies and Ropiha were busy in the first half.

Stone finished with 4.1.