GSFLW 2024: Albany claim minor premiership with final round win, Mt Barker, Royals and Railways all qualify

Albany overcame inaccurate goal kicking to clinch the 2024 minor premiership as final ladder positions were confirmed after a tense final round of the Great Southern Football League Women’s competition. Heading into round 10, five teams were vying for four finals-bound spots but it was the Sharks who finished top of the ladder ending Denmark-Walpole’s season in the process. A loss for the Sharks could have ended their season but they notched a 10-point win over the Magpies at Retravision Stadium on Friday night to give themselves a home qualifying final against Mt Barker. After a scoreless first half from both sides, Sharks’ Amarlie Weinert booted a major in the third quarter to win 1.5 (11) to 0.1 (1). Sharks’ Kate Holt, Maddi Miller and Jeanette Gordon were all pivotal in their side’s victory while Magpies’ Megan Ross, Indi Coates-Ahomiro, Sophie Coates and Matilda McHenry competed hard in what was their final game of the season. The Bulls scored a resounding 47-point win over a winless North Albany side which gave themselves the opportunity to qualify directly into the grand final. The Bulls booted three goals to nil in the opening quarter to set up a commanding 7.7 (49) to 0.2 (2) victory at Tigerland. Mikayla Balloch again spearheaded her side’s forward line with four majors taking her tally to 20 for the season. After failing to boot a goal in the second quarter, the Bulls found their goal-scoring form in the second half with four straight goals. Sophie Richards, Saige Askevold, Lilly Fiegert and Chloe Semple were dominant across the field while Kangas’ Anita Onions, Laura Nelson, Pippa Wilson and Charlotte Clayton toiled hard in their last match of the season. Defending premiers Royals got an early taste of their elimination final opponents after defeating Railways by 16 points at Tigerland. The two will square off against each other in the first week of finals, but the Lions will be the ones with more confidence after their 2.5 (17) to 0.1 (1) triumph. They entered the first break locked at one point apiece before the Lions edged in front with a goal in the second quarter. A late Lions goal in the final quarter thwarted any chance of a Tigers comeback. Nardia Humphries, Elizabeth Alderson, Cheyane Hardy and Adelaide Crossing were enormous for the Lions all game. Tigers’ Ksharna Coyne, Tiarna Delli-Benedetti, Demi Mortimer and Eboni Herbert contributed a full four-quarter effort. The Sharks will face the Bulls in the qualifying final with the winner progressing straight through to the decider. The loser will play in the preliminary final the following week against the winner of the elimination final contested by the Lions and Tigers Both the qualifying and elimination finals will be played at Retravision Stadium on Friday, April 5.