GSFLW 2026: Lions claim first victory of the season, Sharks remain unbeaten on top and Magpies taste home win

Royals broke through for their first win of the season in round four of the Great Southern Football League women’s competition on Friday night. Their 18-point victory over North Albany at Railways keeps them in touch with the top four heading into a vital fortnight of games against Albany and Railways that will be decisive in the race for top-four spots. The Lions had a strong start kicking the only two goals of the first quarter and added 1.3 in the second term to hold a convincing 19-point buffer over the Kangas by half-time. However the Kangas came out firing after the long break booting two majors and three behinds but the Lions matched the intensity adding another goal to remain ahead. The final term belonged to the Lions, who applied sustained forward pressure and added six behinds, locking the ball in their attacking half and forcing the Kangas to defend for most of the quarter. The Lions secured their first win of the season, 4.9 (33) to 2.3 (15), to keep the Kangas winless through four matches. Chantel-Rose Jetta booted two goals for the winners while teammates Amellia Carroll and Gracie Gibson also scored majors. The Lions’ best players were Jetta, Nardia Humphries, Cheyane Hardy and Gibson. Abbie Bootsma (one goal), Michala Sandy, Alaia Williams and Emma Walker were standouts for the Kangas. Albany had a strong win against hosts Railways with a 28-point margin maintaining the Sharks’ unbeaten streak. The Sharks came out aggressive in the opening term booting three majors to nil and added the sole goal of the second term to set up their fourth-straight win. The two sides kicked two goals each in the last half but the Sharks prevailed, 6.7 (43) to the Tigers 2.3 (15). Sharks players Emilie Baird and Mikala Bower finished with two goals each while Giverny Seymour and Emily Wray chipped in with one. Wray was superb for the winners alongside Alice Jones, Ellie Puls and Bower. Taiah Curtis and Kathryn Slattery were the goal contributors for the Tigers, who were best served by Kirsty Smith, Vaghla Hill, Krystal Prunster and Gerogia Whitelaw. Meanwhile at McLean Park, Denmark-Walpole claimed an impressive win over last year’s premiers Mt Barker by 23 points. Both teams had a slow start with not a single goal registered in the opening half. After the break the Magpies came out flying, piling on three goals to take firm control of the contest, while restricting the Bulls to just one major in reply. The Magpies continued their dominance in the final term adding a goal as the Bulls were held to a solitary point. Grace Dempster, Esme MacDonald, Rebecca MacDonald and Siri Mathews all kicked truly as the Magpies got across the line, 4.7 (31) to 1.2 (8) at home and sit clear in second spot on the ladder. Lovisa Bengtsson, Shylah Gough, Esme MacDonald and Chloe Ross all shone for the winners. Mikayla Balloch was the only goal scorer for the Bulls with teammates Saige Askevold, Sophie Richards, Lilly Fiegert and Charlotte Ballard named in the best players. The youth girls’ competition was tight this week with the Tigers and Sharks ending in a draw. The Lions were 17-point winners over the Kangas in an absorbing contest and the Magpies had a 77-point win against the Bulls. In round five, all women’s and youth girls teams will play at Retravision Stadium on Sunday. In the GSFLW, Royals take on Albany at noon followed by Denmark-Walpole against North Albany at 2.45pm and Railways up against Mt Barker at 5.30pm.