Top four decided after wins to Albany and Denmark-Walpole in round nine

Albany secured a spot in the Great Southern Women’s Football League finals after their hard-fought win over Mt Barker in round nine at Centennial Stadium last Friday night.

The Sharks kicked two goals in the opening term and added a third in the final quarter to record a fourth win of the season.

The 14-point triumph over the Bulls was enough to guarantee a top-four finish, now two games clear of fifth-placed North Albany, with only one game in the regular season to play.

Stephanie Grant was again a livewire with two goals and Amarlie Weinert kicked a major as the Sharks won 3.6 (24) to 1.4 (10).

The Sharks were best served by Marlee Ashton, Emma Walker, Kellie Bond and Brittany Ward.

Taylor Hart was the sole goal kicker for the Bulls, supported by tall target Georgia Kowald, Sophie Richards and Saige Askevold.

Meanwhile at McLean Park, Denmark-Walpole claimed their best win of the season to hand Railways their first defeat.

The Tigers had won their previous eight matches but suffered a 12-point loss as the home side raced out of the blocks in the first quarter.

The Magpies led by 13 points at quarter-time and maintained a similar margin for much of the contest as they notched a fifth win of the season.

Ashleigh Needs finished with two goals while the influence of Liza Alkins, along with Meghan and Erika Tharratt, was telling in the 4.2 (26) to 2.2 (14) result.

For the Tigers, Kayla Roberts and Laura Cinanni were their best.

Royals won a low-scoring contest against the Kangas in the other round-nine fixture to ensure a top- two finish.

Taylah Orzel won plenty of the ball and teammates Kylie Douglas and Georgina Lilford also starred as the Lions won 2.5 (17) to 0.1 (1).

Laura Archer, Anita Onions and Lucy Barnett played well for the Kangas.