Denmark-Walpole record first win of the season after downing North Albany as Jaden Guidi named best afield

Denmark-Walpole have broken their 2022 Great Southern Football League drought, snapping a nine-game losing streak with a hard-fought win over North Albany at Collingwood Park on Saturday afternoon. The Magpies have struggled this year after a difficult pre-season which included a change of coach, and suffered three 100-points-plus thrashings in the opening six rounds of the season. Despite being winless and at the foot of the ladder going into the round seven fixture, the Magpies produced a terrific performance on the road against the wayward Kangas as they came from behind at quarter-time to win by 27 points. The Kangas kicked four goals in a free-flowing opening term but the visitors rallied and had hit the front by half-time as they began to get on top in the midfield thanks to senior pair Jaden Guidi and player-coach Brad Nisbett. The match was won in the third term, though, as the Magpies piled on five goals to one and opened up a 31-point buffer. Two majors came from the boot of young forward Bailey Bennett, Guidi was rewarded for his in-and-under efforts with a goal, and Brandon Woods and Tyrone Kennedy also hit the scoreboard. The Kangas had ample opportunities in the final term, as they took the game on in an attempt to get back in front, but they were woeful in front of goal. Graham Ross kicked a third major and the hard-working Alec Haskins goaled, but their side returned 2.8 in the last quarter and slumped to a sixth loss of the season. Bennett capped a lively display with his fourth and then midfielder Aaron Wheeler sealed the 13.17 (95) to 8.20 (68) triumph. Guidi was awarded the match ball for his superb display, while Nisbett was also influential in the middle of the ground and Tyler Stone was a great presence up front but missed several shots on goal. Wheeler, Barry Roberts and youngsters Samuel Ross and Reagan Hutchinson were all key parts of the win. The Magpies’ last league win came in round 13 last year, against the same opponents. A relieved Nisbett said it was a deserving win for his side, who had battled adversity in the first part of the season. “It was a real team lifter,” Nisbett said. “Everyone in the rooms was pretty excited and happy with their efforts. “We were relieved to get that win on the board. You never want to go through the season without winning games. “I was really pleased with the blokes’ efforts — everyone chipped in. “They all had a red-hot crack, that’s all I ask for — just to give effort whether we win or lose, but it was nice to get rewarded for that.” Travis Conn intercepted the ball well for the Kangas and midfielder Nathan Crudeli won plenty of the ball, while Alec Haskins and Kiya Jellay were strong performers. Highly rated teenager Lucas Ravenhill took some towering marks and kicked a goal in a solid return for the Kangas, and veteran Graham Ross finished with three majors despite several misses. Kangas coach Brad Bootsma paid credit to the Magpies for their pressure and intensity around the ball. “We have been pretty good for the first six weeks but you get that with kids, it’s hard to keep them up for the whole season,” he said. “We had too many blokes that weren’t on. “I still think we could have won, don’t take anything away from Denmark, but we kicked 2.8 in the last quarter and finished the game strong but couldn’t get it on the scoreboard. “They were hungry, they were up for the fight, and you could tell they thought this was a game they could win.”