GSFL 2025: Sharks find clinical edge at the death as Magpies play their part in Retravision round 11 thriller

The margin at the end was 17 points but it was a most uncomfortable ride as Albany just got the better of Denmark-Walpole in round 11 of the Great Southern Football League at Retravision Stadium on Saturday. It was a crunching game of football that was not for the faint-hearted and if Sharks thought their high-intensity, hunt-as-a-pack style was going to do to the Magpies what it did to Railways in round 10, they were mistaken. The Magpies gave as good as they got, and the result was a compelling mixture – in no particular order – of brutal tackling, myriad turnovers, great goal-kicking, missed chances, patches of skill and a good old scuffle involving probably about a dozen players at the end of the third quarter. It was footy played by those who cared, and it was Sharks who just had the composure to hold on at the end as the Magpies ran out of puff, edged out 13.14 (92) to 11.9 (75). When Brett Peake had the last word, nailing his fourth major after a scramble following Brock Anning’s up-and-under, the sigh of relief from the terraces was palpable. It means the Sharks are third in the ladder behind Railways and Mt Barker and while the Magpies are a distant fourth, and only four points clear of Royals, but are not going to be pushovers as the business end of the season approaches. Helping Peake to the Sharks’ tally were were Anning, with two, and a host of singles from all parts of the ground. Jake Shepherd, Bryce Blaszkow and Harrison Hordacre, who were among the goal scorers, had great games, along with utility man Bailey Taylor. Sharks’ coach Roy Addis was hampered by the late withdrawals of Taj Williams and Isaac Baum, as well as Morgan Davies being away with the WA Country team. However, he praised the Magpies’ effort. “The way they played was no surprise and if they can keep that group together, they will do well and that would be good for the town and the competition,” Addis said. “We won because we knew what was required, we knew how to win. “We were able to go up a notch, but it was a hard-fought battle for all four quarters.” Ryan Hick, whose contribution for the Magpies was outstanding, finished with three majors as did Jaden Guidi, while Matthew Clarke, Tyler Stone and Nelson Tulip all did well. Magpies’ coach Brad Nisbett admitted his side had flagged in the final knockings. “We just ran out of legs and had to keep rotating the midfield, though both sides looked tired,” he said. “They were just that little bit cleaner at the right time, but we have improved and were tackling well so I was pretty pleased overall.” Peake struck twice in the first quarter, and with Anning and Max Baker also scoring it seemed the Magpies would spend the afternoon having their wings clipped. They managed a breakaway reply through Reagan Hutchinson, which came rather out of the blue, but then started to enjoy some possession allowing Simon Barker to grab his first. They should have scored again but were punished by Peake’s second. He blasted the ball between the posts and promptly ran into the car park to retrieve it, like a dad playing backyard footy with his kids. Sharks led by 17 at the first break and were 23 to the good by half-time, despite both sides wasting clear chances. The third quarter was a gem, two majors from Guidi and three behinds getting Magpies within touching distance and when Toby McInnes struck a beauty from 50m for his moment of glory, the visitors were only three points adrift. However, just as it seemed the pecking order could be well and truly upset, the Sharks responded through Ned Shepherd and when the dust had cleared following the end-of-quarter rumble – prompted by a sliding tackle on Hick – the home side were clear by 10. The Magpies flagged in the final term, missing opportunities mainly through poor decision making while the Sharks, tiring themselves, also spurned chances to reduce the tension. In the end Peake nailed the hammer blow. Through it went, with the former AFL man retrieving the ball as it bounced along the grass behind the fence. Still going strong at 41, and the only one with any energy left.