GSFLW 2024: Magpies unbeaten in successful Pride Round, Mt Barker fumble causing massive ladder shake-up

A hugely successful nine-match Great Southern Football League Women’s Pride Round caused a major ladder shake-up after Denmark-Walpole emerged as the big winners after three sensational victories. Mt Barker, who were sitting top heading into rounds six to eight, suffered three consecutive defeats to surrender top spot to Albany. The Magpies secured three impressive victories against North Albany, the Bulls and Railways to jump to second on the ladder at the completion of round eight. They started their weekend with a dominant 5.4 (34) to 1.1 (7) win over Kangas before clinching a gripping two-point victory over a wasteful Bulls side, 1.2 (8) to 0.6 (6). The Magpies capped off a superb day with a two-goal triumph over the Tigers, who had won their first two matches of the carnival, prevailing 2.0 (1.2) to 0.2 (2). Emma Henderson and Grace Dempster were superb for the Magpies across all three games while Heidi Walter booted three majors, which all came against the Kangas. The Sharks moved back up to the top of the ladder after defeating Royals in the opening game 2.2 (14) to 1.1 (7) before bouncing back from a 14-point loss to the Tigers, to smash the Kangas 4.5 (29) to 1.5 (11) in round eight. Marlee Ashton, Madi Miller and Jeanette Gordon were pivotal for the Sharks, propelling them back to the top spot with two rounds to play. The Lions were runaway winners over the Bulls in the final match of the Pride Round prevailing 4.1 (25) to 0.3 (3), following a dominant showing against Kangas 5.2 (32) to 1.0 (6). Narelle and Nardia Humphries were at their best for the Lions assisted by Lilly Briscoe and Megan Green. The Tigers won their opener against Bulls in a tense one-point thriller before making it two on the trot when they defeated ladder-leaders Sharks 2.3 (15) 0.1 (1). Kathryn Slattery and Ksharna Coyne were both solid contributors for the Tigers, while Tiarna Delli-Benedetti booted a team-high two goals. Despite going winless through the three-game fixture, the Kangas did claim a novelty victory after star midfielder Mabel Markey dashed to victory in the 100m sprint feature race. With two rounds to go in the home-and-away season, the Sharks sit one win clear of the Magpies who moved up to second from fourth, 2 per cent clear of the Tigers in third. The Bulls horror weekend had them plummet from first to fourth, slightly ahead of the Lions on percentage while the Kangas remain winless at the bottom of the table.