GSFL 2023: Albany extend unbeaten streak to eight games after dominant third term against North Albany

Albany head to the first general bye in the Great Southern Football League season full of confidence after extending their winning streak to eight games on Saturday. A dominant eight-goal third quarter was the difference at Collingwood Park as the Sharks surged clear of North Albany on their way to a 59-point win. The Kangas put up a strong fight in the first term and kicked five goals in the final term but they were ultimately no match for the ladder leaders. The Sharks went into the clash without star Jack Beeck, who has moved overseas, and the GSFL’s leading goal kicker Brett Peake but they found plenty of other winners. Robbie Lee was electric on the wing, Bryce Blaszkow controlled the midfield, and Kane Pinney was impassable in the back half. Two goals in the first term from Jayden Zilm helped the visitors open up a 24-point buffer at quarter time. The second term was a scrappy affair and Sharks key forward Connor McCandless kicked the only major of that period. The third quarter belonged to the Sharks as they asserted their dominance with eight goals to two for a 70-point advantage. Isaac Baum kicked two, and Lee and Harry Hordacre added their second goals to go with majors from George and Gus Bockman, Aiden Clark and Brock Anning as the Sharks produced some terrific link-up play to carve up the home side. The Kangas, to their credit, fought back strongly in the final term, kicking five goals to two but fell to their seventh loss of the season. Baum and Jayden Zilm finished with three goals each while Hordacre, Taj Williams, Lee and McCandless were the other multiple goal kickers in the 18.15 (123) to 9.10 (64) triumph. Blaszkow, Lee and Pinney were all outstanding, while Baum was a strong target in attack and Clark showed strong signs in his third league game. Sharks coach Jamie Ramm said it was pleasing to have another strong performance in the absence of two key players. “Our side is well spread at the moment and it was good to win without Jack and Brett,” Ramm said. “To North’s credit they finished well but the middle part of the game, we controlled. “(Eight wins) that sets up our season really and it’s up to us now to see where we can take that.” Midfielder Matt Orzel was awarded the match day ball for his brilliant performance in a losing affair, while talented young tall Lucas Ravenhill also had plenty of influence. Nick Barrow kicked two goals and the Kangas also got plenty of drive from Nathan Crudeli and Jyrin Woods. Despite the loss, Kangas coach Brad Bootsma said there were some positives. “Much better performance by the boys and a strong finish to the game, which was positive,” he said. “The effort was there this week — we just need to work on consistency.”