GSFL 2025: Royals hold out North Albany for first win and Railways only unbeaten team after Albany’s loss

Royals jumped into the top four after their first win of the season while Railways are the only unbeaten team after their round four Great Southern Football League victory on Saturday. In Belt-Up Round, a thumping Tigers win at home over Denmark-Walpole and a shock loss for reigning premiers Albany on the road against Mt Barker left just one team undefeated through the opening month of the season. The Lions closed out the weekend with a gritty five-point win over North Albany as the Kangas celebrated Graham Ross breaking the league games record for their club. At Retravision Stadium on Sunday, Ross led his beloved Kangas out in his 277th league game surpassing the record of club legend Brett Hall (276 games). Ross booted four goals but it wasn’t enough to lift his side over the line as a strengthened Lions side, with key inclusions Jayson Ford, Stephen Beal and Cooper Childs, clung on in a desperate final term. The Kangas trailed by 25 points at the last change but stormed home with seven majors in the final stanza to give the home side some nervous moments. Two late goals had the Kangas within a kick but they ran out of time, the Lions winning their first game of the season with the 13.14 (92) to 13.9 (87) result. Ford was a welcomed addition to the Lions front half with three goals while small forward Cleve Humphries also finished with three goals. Beal (two goals) made a strong return while captain Joel Flick and key linkman Brayden Parker were also damaging. Midfield star Declan McNamara won the Belt-Up Round match ball after his best-on-ground performance judged by the umpires. The Lions set the victory up with an eight goal to four opening half and moved to fourth spot on the ladder, ahead of the Kangas and Magpies. Kobi Keen and Regan Christensen were superb for the Kangas, Ulrich Kriek showed great signs on debut and Jeremiah McKenzie was lively. Ross and Jyrin Woods (two goals) were the Kangas main avenue to goal but for the second straight week their bid to come from behind late in the game fell short. The Bulls caused a major upset at Sounness Park, knocking off the previously unbeaten Sharks on Saturday. The Sharks fell behind early on while also losing wingman Robbie Lee to concussion in the first term. The Bulls led at every change before the Sharks kicked the only three goals of the final term to give themselves a silly chance at a comeback win. However with no fit players on the bench the visitors went down by five points after kicking their eighth goal on the final siren. Ruckman Keane Griffiths was awarded the Belt-Up Round ball after his dominant display around the ground and at stoppages while Jared Ballard, Camball McMahon and Daniel Patching all kicked two goals. The Bulls’ 20-point advantage at quarter-time proved decisive as the Sharks played catch up for the remainder of the afternoon. The margin was 12 points at half-time but Mitch Jackson kicked the sole goal of the third term to extend the home side’s buffer to 19 points by three-quarter-time. Majors from Harrison Hordacre, Cooper Sandy and Ned Shepherd in the fourth couldn’t prevent the Sharks from going down 8.10 (58) to 8.15 (63). Patching, Seb Ballard, Darcy Clarke and Darcy Wallinger were vital in the Bulls victory. Wallinger received a yellow card for the tackle on Lee with his head hitting the ground and concussing the 2023 Kleemann medallist. Young ball winner Jesse Owens was outstanding for the Sharks while Taj Williams, Bailey Taylor and Isaac Baum worked hard. Hordacre and Brett Peake booted two goals each. The Sharks were the walking wounded at the end with Ashley Ayles, Marlin Bennett and Lewis Bosch all injured. At Keep the Sheep Stadium on Saturday, the Tigers made it four straight wins on the back of a 10-goal haul from key forward Hayden Parker. Parker was clinical in attack as he powered his side to a 116-point demolition of the Magpies. The Tigers had seven goals on the board at quarter-time and by three-quarter-time the game was done with the home side 74 points in the clear. The Magpies didn’t score in the final term as the Tigers coasted to a 23.18 (156) to 6.4 (40) triumph. Parker won the Belt-Up Round ball as best on ground for his 10 goals in attack while Coen Marwick and player-coach Bodhi Stubber each chipped in with four goals. Young pair Hayden Leo and Lachie Cale were again impressive. Tyler Stone was a one-man show for the Magpies, kicking all six of his side’s goals. Tait Hartfield, Brody Hickey and Ryan Hick also toiled hard in defeat.