Pies swoop in third term to trounce Tigers

Denmark-Walpole has stunned a sloppy Railways side to claim a comprehensive victory at Tigerland for the first time in more than two years.

The Magpies had strong contributions across the board and used a six-goal third quarter to propel them past the Tigers for a 49-point win 13.19 (97) to 6.12 (48).

In the opening quarter the Magpies used a strong breeze to generate plenty of opportunities for their forward line; however some inaccurate kicking and patches of good ball movement from Tigers kept the margin to 10 points at the first break.

In the second quarter the Tigers failed to capitalise on a strong breeze, kicking six points while Magpies managed two goals against the play to go into the main break with a 19-point lead.

After an early goal to Railways, Denmark’s big-bodied midfielders began to assert themselves on the game and won a host of centre clearances through the likes of Shayne Zanetti, Kaden King-Davies and Joshua Devitt-Boyd. Magpies kicked the final four goals of the quarter to hold a commanding 45-point lead at the last change.

With the game all but over Tigers had control for large sections of the final quarter, but again failed to make the most of the breeze and when Magpies’ Dionne Woods kicked a tough goal from 40 metres out, against the run of play, the celebrations began.

Magpies coach Matt Candy said the team was starting to find some cohesion.

“The group is really starting to mesh and everyone was willing to put their head over the ball,” he said.

“We didn’t let them get a run on or get their flow going; Railways just had no answers and our guys persevered all day,”

Candy praised the whole team and believed this win showed the league was a lot more balanced than previous years.

“It’s been a while between drinks and it’s great for the competition, it opens things up a lot,” he said.

Tigers coach Wayne Stubber said Magpies were the better side in all facets of the game.

“I thought they were really disciplined and well coached, they had a game plan and they stuck to it,” he said.

“They had winners right across the board and I don’t think any of our blokes won against their direct opponent,”

Stubber was upset that players from his team with known capability failed to fire.

“It was frustrating because there was guys you know who can play at that level but they weren’t up for it on the day,” he said.