GSFL 2025: Battling Kangas find form after round seven mauling but Tigers pull clear despite sluggish start

Railways kept their grip on top spot with a hard-fought 67-point win over North Albany in the Great Southern Football League competition at Keep The Sheep Stadium on Saturday. The margin was 160 points when the two sides last met in round seven, but the Kangas were a much better opponent this time around, challenging the flag fancies for a big part of the contest. The Kangas trailed by only nine points at half-time, but the home side kicked clear in the second half with 10 goals to one, to remain one game and percentage clear on top of the ladder. Five goals to one in the third term set up the Tigers’ 10th victory of the year while they also held the Kangas goalless in the final term. Joel Want, Hayden Parker and Bailin Curtis all kicked three goals in the 16.9 (105) to 6.2 (38) result. The Tigers had strong performances from Mitch Geddes, Coen Marwick, Ryley Valli and Want. Player-coach Bodhi Stubber lamented the Tigers slow start but praised the Kangas’ determination. “They put the effort in early and we probably didn’t match them,” he said. “After half-time we played some good footy, but it took us a half to get going, which is a bit of a worry. “We were a bit sluggish so we will be pushing a load of fitness stuff in training over the next few weeks. “We have got to get a lot better.” He was full of praise for Geddes, who shone in the loss to Sharks last week and was the star of the back line again this time. “He had a super game and probably led the way in terms of effort,” Stubber said. Travis Conn was the only multiple goalkicker for the visitors who were best served by ruckman Drew Willcocks, Jyrin Woods, Matt Orzel, Rhett Hassell and Kobi Keen. For Kangas coach Brad Bootsma a disappointing final quarter was balanced by a spirited showing for the rest of the contest. “I was proud of the way we played; we were competitive against one of the top two sides in the league,” he said. “It was good to bounce back after a disappointing performance last week where we were pretty poor. “It was just the attrition wore us down; we couldn’t keep up with the intensity and dropped away, which was a bit disappointing but it’s all part of our evolution. “We have a lot of young guys who are still learning, still trying to fill their bodies. “They are playing blokes who are probably 10kg heavier and more seasoned. We have a few of those ourselves, but not many. “We know we can compete, but we have to try and sustain it for four quarters.” A further blow was key forward Daniel Parker straining a hamstring just before half-time. He is likely to miss at least a fortnight according to Bootsma. However, the withdrawal of Seth Hambly with a sore shoulder was just a precaution with the game already gone.