Former AFL player Brett Peake boots 13 goals for Sharks in wet weather demolition of Magpies

A fantastic 13-goal haul from ex-AFL player Brett Peake has catapulted Albany back on to the winners’ list after their 84-point thumping of Denmark-Walpole at McLean Park on Saturday. Peake, who won the Sean Plaisted trophy as the Great Southern Football League’s leading goal kicker last year, bettered his seven-goal effort from round one 2021. A terrific second term from the Sharks was the catalyst for the victory as wet weather created a scrappy second half where both sides struggled for clean possession. Despite an encouraging start for the Magpies, the Sharks effectively hit the scoreboard throughout the four quarters to run away decisive winners, 20.10 (130) to 7.4 (46). Both teams opened the contest with ferocity in the first quarter and Magpies pair Brad Nisbett and Ryan Gaerth won contested possessions to drive their team forward. The Magpies were buoyed early by their ability to steer the ball inside 50, but the Sharks’ defence continued to repel most entries, with Kane Pinney and Vince Augustson both rock solid. Tyler Stone hit the scoreboard early and the Magpies had their tail up, but a terrific Matthew Martin snap over his head with his back faced to goal helped the Sharks answer back, pushing their lead out to 35 points at quarter-time. The Sharks outscored their opposition seven goals to one in the second quarter as the visitors took control of the game. Peake was lively early, kicking four first-quarter goals and then five in the second quarter. Torrential rain poured down after half-time making conditions tough but Peake found space out the back to add two more majors to take his tally to 11 as the Sharks extended their buffer to 68 points. The Magpies finished on a positive note, kicking two final-term goals, but Peake capped a wonderful day with two more majors as the Sharks secured their fourth win of the season. Peake was best-afield while midfielders Isaac Baum, Fraser Eaton and Cameron Jones were impressive all day alongside Robbie Lee and defenders Pinney and Augustson. Sharks ruckman Jayden Zilm also toiled hard for the visitors, winning plenty of hit-outs in an energetic display while Martin finished with three majors. For the Magpies, Stone provided much of the target up forward as Barry Roberts played aggressively across the half-back and midfield, intercepting kicks, crashing packs and winning loose balls. Sharks coach Jamie Ramm said it was pleasing to see Peake back to his best. “It’s great to see Brett back in some form because he’s been close, he just hasn’t quite been there and hopefully now that will really get him going for the rest of the year,” he said. “Last year he was consistently kicking goals and this year he has struggled a bit so it’s good to see him get his hands on the footy.” Magpies player-coach Nisbett said missed opportunities in the first quarter set the tone for the rest of the game. “We were happy with the first quarter, we got the ball in there enough, I think it was just the ability to finish off our work that was lacking,” he said. “The disappointing part was that second quarter, we just dropped our head and blokes probably weren’t working hard enough across the ground and they just cut us up.”