Magpies’ season over after loss to the Kangas

A brilliant 49-possession effort from gun midfielder Matt Orzel and a nine-goal haul to spearhead Daniel Parker has helped North Albany end Denmark-Walpole’s season at McLean Park on Saturday afternoon.

The Kangas always seemed in control of the final round Great Southern Football League encounter, despite trailing by a point at quarter time, as Parker’s biggest haul of the season guided the visitors to a comfortable 26-point win.

Orzel was back to his match-winning best with a stellar performance in the midfield that saw him collect 49 disposals, 17 of which came in the second term, and five marks as he roamed free throughout the day.

The Kangas dominated the second quarter, winning the clearances 10 to three and having 15 inside-50s, which yielded five goals as they took a 21-point lead into half time.

Tempers boiled over between the two sides at half-time after Josh Sara gave away a down-the-ground free kick for a late bump and Parker calmly slotted his third major of the term.

Needing a win to remain in fourth place and play in the finals, the Magpies responded with four goals in the third term and went into the last change full of confidence after a proppy Lincoln East goaled moments before the siren.

But any Magpies hope was quickly snuffed out as Parker snared two early goals to push the margin to 26 points, his side going on to win 13.12 (90) to 9.10 (64).

Parker finished with 9.2 to claim his second Sean Plaisted Medal, but was given a couple from down the ground free-kicks as a result of the Magpies’ poor discipline.

Matt Smith did his Kleemann Medal hopes no harm with another excellent showing in the midfield along with Grant Corcoran.

Kangas coach Craig Dew was relieved to get through without any injuries as his side turn their focus to the second semifinal.

“Everyone has got through injury free and the win was great,” Dew said.

“We want to go into finals playing good footy and I thought our last two weeks we have played some of our best footy.

“The competition has significantly improved and out there on their track it is never easy against Denmark.”

The Magpies went in without Tyler Stone and the injured Sam Finigan, but they were well served by big man Shayne Zanetti, who bagged four goals from 27 touches and 10 marks.

Defender Edward Roocke was also fantastic in defence, winning several battles with Parker, to be among the Magpies’ best with Brody Hickey and Dionne Woods.

Magpies coach Matt Candy lamented his side’s poor skill execution in the loss.

“North were the better team on the day,” he said.

“Our skills were just horrendous and we couldn’t put scoreboard pressure on.

“We are disappointed, we wanted to play finals football, but looking back if we had won those two close games it might have been a different story.”