Magpies break through for first win

A dominant first term guided Denmark-Walpole to their first win of the season, comfortably taking care of Albany by 77 points at Centennial Stadium on Saturday to lift themselves off the bottom of the ladder.

The Magpies kicked seven unanswered goals in the first term to lead by 43 points at quarter-time and from there, they never looked back.

Kalin Lane quickly pushed the margin to 49 points early in the second before Coen Marwick kept the Sharks in the contest kicking back-to-back goals inside the space of 30 seconds.

The visitors finished the second quarter full of running, kicking four unanswered goals to take a 65-point advantage into the main break.

Marwick kicked the first major of the third before power forward Kieran Gowdie booted his first through to give the home side some momentum early in the second half.

Again, the Magpies had the answers as Lane kicked his third for the game before Doug Roberts kicked his third to push the margin beyond 70 points nearing three-quarter time.

The Sharks reduced the margin early in the last but it was not enough to halt the Magpies’ charge as Roberts added a fifth major in the 21.10 (136) to 9.5 (59) win.

Tyler Stone was outstanding in the middle with 30 possessions and a goal while Dave MacDonald continues his stellar comeback year racking up 27 touches and also kicked a goal.

Roberts, who played two reserves games for North Albany before clearing over to the Magpies, produced an electric forward line effort on debut for the Magpies and Alec Haskins rebounded with class all day off half-back.

Marwick collected 24 touches and four majors as he led from the front for the Sharks, while Robert Lee provided good run all day and Matt Baseden worked tirelessly in the middle.

Magpies co-coach Ryan Gaerth said the first term was the key to breaking their winning drought.

“Our start was really impressive — our (midfield) got on top early and set the tone,” Gaerth said.

“The team’s been working well together. These last couple of games, we could have got over the line but faded late.

“We faded a little bit today but the first quarter helped us.”

The Sharks lost forward Zac Pearson to a serious ankle injury early in the game and coach Kim Mayfield said the first term cost them the match.

“They got the jump, kicked with the wind in the first,” Mayfield said.

“Seven goals to none is not an ideal start and we were chasing tail from there.”