GSFL 2025: North Albany left frustrated by timekeeping in narrow one-point league loss to Denmark-Walpole

North Albany coach Brad Bootsma has voiced his anger at the timekeeping drama that unfolded in his side’s narrow loss to Denmark-Walpole on Saturday at McLean Park. Bootsma spoke about his frustration after the game as the Kangas were infuriated by the timekeeping in the third quarter, which prompted a discussion between the umpires and both captains during the final break. League games are 20 minutes plus time on, and have a 30-minute cap across all quarters. The first two quarters of the round three Great Southern Football League fixture at the Magpies’ home ground went nearly 30 minutes each, but the third quarter was about 22½ minutes. There was a sole Denmark-Walpole timekeeper for the first three quarters before a North Albany representative went into the timekeepers’ box in the fourth term. Tempers flared between the two clubs as they broke to their three-quarter-time huddles before a thrilling final term played out, and the Magpies clung on by a single point. A frustrated Bootsma didn’t mince his words on the issue in the close result. “Its not the first time it’s happened to us out there and times have been done incorrectly,” he said. “Its pretty disappointing in this day and age. “Its not the reason we lost the game . . . it was our own fault. “But I am still pretty frustrated about the missing minutes.” Magpies coach Brad Nisbett said the third-quarter timing was not a factor in the result. “I don’t question how other clubs do things,” Nisbett said. “It didn’t impact the game, we were both playing the same amount of game time. “I don’t think too much about the time while I’m coaching.” GSFL chairman Terry Eaton said there had been contact with both clubs after the umpires noted the incident on the match report. However, Eaton said the GSFL would take no further action. The GSFL recommends that clubs each have a timekeeper for games but it is not strictly enforced. “Whenever there are issues with timekeeping, the club doesn’t have anyone up there,” Eaton said. “(Timekeepers) sometimes they get it wrong, sometimes they get it right, but regardless each club needs a timekeeper at all games even when you are the away team, and it often isn’t the case. “I will also note that there was only one goal each scored in the (third) quarter.” Eaton said clubs could be reminded of their duties around timekeeping at next week’s presidents meeting.