Magpies fall just short against Tigers

A 10-minute lapse in the second quarter proved costly for winless Denmark-Walpole, as they fell eight points short of an upset over Railways at Tigerland on Saturday afternoon.

The Magpies slumped to a fifth straight loss but they seriously challenged the home side, kicking the final two goals of the game to make for a tense final 90 seconds.

After leading at quarter-time and then going eight points up early in the second term after a Ryan Gaerth goal, the visitors were left to rue the 10-minute period that followed.

The Tigers had 14 inside 50 entries in the second and enjoyed a run of six straight majors — two from the in-form Logan Stubber and two off Jamon Barrett’s boot, as they raced 29 points ahead by the long change.

When Zak Hortin booted his second to start the second half it appeared the home side were going to skip clear, but the Magpies fought back gamely, led by Gaerth, Tyler Stone and Alec Haskins, to kick the next four majors and trail by 12 points at the last break.

Sam Want pushed the home side 17 points up in the final term, but the Magpies pressed hard as a goal from Jared Lane got it back under two goals.

Gaerth missed two shots to the left-hand side and Lane also missed a gettable chance before the returning Jaden Guidi booted his second goal to make it a six-point game with 90 seconds to play.

The Tigers won the vital next clearance through Shane Braimbridge and were able to lock the ball in their attacking half as they hung on, 10.14 (74) to 9.12 (66).

Stubber was again outstanding for the winners, with not only his 31 possessions but three goals a telling factor in the game.

Craig Frost rebounded off half-back with class, Braimbridge worked hard throughout and Haydn Sproxton helped quell Magpies danger man Shayne Zanetti.

Zanetti took 14 marks and had 22 possessions but kicked 1.5 with a lot of his ball up the ground.

Stone (22 disposals, one goal) was influential for the Magpies along with Gaerth, Haskins and Harrison Lill.

Magpies co-coach Simon Barker said they couldn’t halt the Tigers’ momentum in the second quarter.

“That 10 minutes they kicked six in a row, we couldn’t stop that overlap run,” Barker said.

“Other than that, it was pretty level-pegging.

“A couple of the young kids were impressive and it was pleasing to have Guidi back.”

Tigers coach Troy Leo said the Magpies were playing a lot better than a team at the bottom of the ladder.

“It was a real test for our fellas,” Leo said.

“For a side that is zip-five they are a lot better than that.

“I thought we’d cracked them open in the second, but to their credit they came back.”