SHARKS SAVOUR SECOND WIN

Albany have snapped a 45-game losing streak, storming to their second-ever league victory with a polished 21-point triumph over Denmark-Walpole at Centennial Stadium.

In the final game of the opening round in the Great Southern Football League competition, the Sharks duly stole the headlines as they tasted victory for the first time since 2015.

After kicking the first two goals of the match, the Sharks trailed at quarter time and then again at half time and then conceded the first major of the second half.

However they quickly turned the tide, booting the next four majors to open up a 13-point advantage.

Small forward Dwayne Coyne kicked two majors in the third, taking his tally to five for the afternoon, but his side led by only eight points after Magpies star Shayne Zanetti was singlehandedly keeping his side in it.

Zanetti booted the Magpies only three goals of the third, all while playing in the ruck, but the visitors appeared to be tiring entering the final quarter.

Sharks quickly put their stamp on the game as Fraser Eaton goaled from an almost immediate 50m penalty and that was followed by majors to Jack Banks, Robbie Lee and Ben Fleck as the margin moved beyond 30 points.

Zanetti continued in his bid to haul the Magpies back, along with seasoned campaigner Tyler Stone but they were unable to reel in the new-look Sharks, who had six players making their club debut.

Jack Banks and fellow midfielder Bryce Blaszkow were outstanding throughout while defender Dylan Gowdie and Coyne also impressed.

Prized recruits Taj Williams and Coen Marwick had solid outings, Williams with nine touches in the last and Marwick booting two goals in the 15.13 (103) to 12.10 (82) win.

The result was the Sharks second win in 106 league matches since joining in 2012 and gives the club renewed hope for the season ahead as they find themselves inside the top four for the very first time.

Zanetti’s influence on the game, albeit in a losing affair, cannot be discounted as he kicked six goals and won a plethora of possession in a monstrous display while Stone (two goals) and Dave MacDonald were also strong contributors.