GSFL 2025: Stubber lauds young guns as Parker’s 11-goal tally puts inexperienced Denmark-Walpole to the sword

Railways player-coach Bodhi Stubber applauded his side’s free-flowing footy in their 164-point drubbing of Denmark-Walpole, their ninth straight win in the Great Southern Football League competition. He was also keen to praise the young players who proved more than equal to the task of dispatching their opponents, who fielded a young and inexperienced side. The Magpies were outclassed by premiership favourites the Tigers, whose star forward Hayden Parker filled his boots at McLean Park on Saturday. Parker booted 11 majors to take his season tally to 58 while Ryley Valli also starred as he tries to win back-to-back Kleemann medals. That pair did plenty of the damage in the 29.17 (191) to 4.3 (27) triumph, the Tigers booting 16 goals to one after half-time. Stubber said the Tigers had enjoyed imposing their style in ideal conditions after battling the elements and Mt Barker in round eight. “It was an opportunity to play the way we want to play in nice conditions and reinforce good habits,” he said. “My philosophy is that we go into every game as though we are versing a top team because you can’t get complacent, even if you are playing a side that may be lower on the ladder. “We played some young blokes too and they really stepped up.” He lauded the effort of Beau Veldman, who kicked two majors, and was delighted at the way Max Swarbrick and Mitchell Geddes held their own in defence. Parker was well supported by Stubber (five goals) in the front half and Valli spent time forward as well to add three majors. Bailin Curtis, Jaxon Lombardini, Lorcan McNamara and debutant Veldman were the other major goalkickers. Parker and Valli were joined as the visitors’ best players by Lombardini, Ryan Davies and Kane Shephard. The Magpies were best served by Tarik Hartfield, Stewart Davies, Simon Barker and Jaden Guidi while Tyler Stone kicked two goals. Despite the scoreline, Magpies’ coach Brad Nisbitt said there were positives in seeing his young side gain experience against quality opposition. “We had three guys on debut and probably 10 blokes out from last week,” he said. “We picked that team out of necessity. “But the colts who came in now have the experience of stepping up to the next level. “They know now they have to be faster and adjust more quickly so it was good from that point of view. “The challenge is that we have so many ins and outs each week that it’s hard to find a consistent level, but across the season there have been improvements despite the challenges.”