GSFL 2024: Robbie Lee, Brett Peake fire Albany to big win on the road over Denmark-Walpole in NAIDOC Round

Reigning premiers Albany made it three wins on the trot after a 79-point win over a gritty Denmark-Walpole at McLean Park on Saturday in NAIDOC Round. The Sharks remain on top of the ladder by percentage over Royals who also share a win loss record of 9-2 after 11 rounds of the Great Southern Football League season. After a competitive opening term where the home side trailed by just eight points at quarter time, the Sharks kicked clear in the second stanza. The visitors began to dominate around the stoppages and were deadly in their front half as Brett Peake went to work against the under-pressure Magpies defence. Peake had five goals to his name by the long break, the Sharks kicking seven goals to two as the margin ballooned out to 41 points. The Sharks appeared to have control of the contest early in the third but the Magpies fought back and a couple of late goals trimmed the deficit to 36 points at three quarter time. Magpies star Tyler Stone was denied a third goal of the term, beaten by the siren as he gathered the ball and kicked truly. The floodgates opened in the final term however as the tiring Magpies fell away, the Sharks booting seven unanswered goals to seal the 20.10 (130) to 8.3 (51) victory. Robbie Lee was outstanding for the Sharks, driving the ball inside 50 countless times, and received the NAIDOC Round match ball after being judged best-on-ground by the umpires. Peake finished with eight majors in another terrific display while Taj Williams (four goals) and Harry Hordacre (three) were also big contributors in the front half. Brock Anning won plenty of the ball, defensive duo Cameron Jones and Kane Pinney were rock solid again and youngster Clay Harrington showed his promise through the middle of the ground. Stone finished with four goals in a strong performance for the Magpies and he was well supported by Gus Brampton in the ruck while Brad Keast, Marlon Mastalerz and Josh Thompson were busy throughout the afternoon. The Magpies lost Josh Angus to an arm injury in the first term but coach Brad Nisbett was proud of their effort against the top team. “It was one of our better first quarters both offensively and defensively,” he said. “The second quarter they kicked quite a few with the breeze but we won the third quarter which is pleasing. “We were pretty good for three quarters.”