No goals kicked in tight round seven clash but Denmark-Walpole get better of Albany in GSFLW

Denmark-Walpole strengthened their chances of playing finals in the Great Southern Football League Women’s competition after a hard-fought five-point win in round seven on Friday night.

The Magpies played in last season’s grand final but lost the opening three games of their 2023 campaign.

However, wins against Mt Barker, North Albany and now Albany have them back inside the top four with three rounds left in the regular season.

Scoring was at a premium in the clash at Tigerland, as both sides grappled for the ascendancy in the middle.

The Magpies kicked two behinds in the first term and dominated the second quarter but for little reward.

They had a couple of golden opportunities to score goals but managed to only add three behinds, extending their margin to five points by the long break.

The Sharks were pressing hard in their bid to break the deadlock as Sian Lucas and Hayley Williamson drove the ball forward at every opportunity.

This resulted in one behind in the third term and the game was up for grabs heading into the fourth and final stanza.

A goal either way would have changed the result in the final stanza but neither side could find the big sticks.

The Magpies added another behind to their frustrating night but it didn’t matter as they finished victorious, 0.6 (6) to 0.1 (1).

Captain Sophie Coates was outstanding for the Magpies in their third win of the season while Emma Henderson was at her prolific best in the midfield.

Isobelle Venn and Stephanie Dunlop were also among the Magpies best players, the result pushing them two games clear of the fifth-placed Bulls.

Samantha Waltho, Kimberley Williams, Lucas and Williamson toiled hard for the Sharks but they struggled in the front half.

Railways produced a dominant display in the second fixture at Tigerland, thrashing the Bulls by 55 points.

The first quarter was an even affair as both sides had their chances in attack but the Tigers took over after the first change.

The home side kicked three goals in the second to push the margin to 22 points and added five unanswered goals in the last half to win easily.

Star forward Kanisha Bennell returned to the Tigers side and booted three goals in the 8.8 (56) to 0.1 (1) triumph.

The winners were best served by Ksharna Coyne, Chelsea Geddes, Kelly Pages and Laura Cinanni.

For the Bulls they had strong contributions from Georgia Henderson, Laura Macniven, Ella Higgins and Saige Askevold.

Royals are one win away from securing the minor premiership, taking care of the Kangas by 38 points at Retravision Stadium.

A three-goal first term set up the Lions seventh straight victory, spearhead Gracie Gibson finishing with three majors.

Georgina Lilford, Narelle Humphries, Adelaide Crossing and Michelle Walsh all impressed as the Lions won 6.4 (40) to 0.2 (2).

Pippa Wilson, Mabel Markey, Lilly Briscoe and Ella Kiddle were the best in a losing affair for the Kangas.