GSFLW 2025: Bulls suffer first loss in abandoned game and Magpies end Tigers finals hopes in penultimate round

A power issue at half-time ended the round nine Great Southern Football League Women’s fixture between Royals and Mt Barker, bringing the Bulls’ winning streak to a bizarre halt on Friday night. The lights at Retravision Stadium went out as the Lions were leading by two points. The problem could not be fixed and the game was ended, the Lions officially recording a 0.2 (2) to nil result. The Lions scored a single point in the first term and doubled that score in the second term against the reigning premiers. The result handed the Bulls their first loss of 2025 but they have already secured top spot and the minor premiership. Jocelyn Gibson-Kungah, Nardia Humphries, Rachael Goetze and Leilani Wrobel were crucial for the Lions, while Kaitlin Eades, Sophie Richards, Charlotte Ballard and Shelby Garnett were the best players for the visitors. Denmark-Walpole were back in fine form after a disappointing loss to the Lions in round eight, beating Railways by 23 points in the first game of the night at Collingwood Park. In their bid to hold on to a top-two spot, the Magpies made a comeback in the second quarter after strong early play from the Tigers. The Magpies kicked four goals to put themselves up by six points at half-time and then extended that margin in the second half with four goals to one. The Tigers were determined to stay in the finals hunt, kicking one goal in the third, but the Magpies held firm on their way to a 8.2 (50) to 4.3 (27) result. Jane Devenport and Rebecca MacDonald were terrific with two goals each for the Magpies, while teammates Siri Matthews, Megan Ross, Matilda McHenry and Erika Tharratt all stood out. Taiah Curtis, Zarli Curtis, Kathryn Slattery and Krystal Prunster (two goals) were the Tigers’ best contributors and Amarlie Weinert booted two majors. The Magpies are four points and percentage clear of the third-placed Lions heading into the final round of the regular season. North Albany kept their slim finals hopes alive with a gritty nine-point victory over Albany in the final game of the night. The Kangas started strongly by kicking two majors in the first quarter while keeping the Sharks scoreless. The Sharks hit back in the second, though, with two majors to close the margin to just four points at half-time, but the Kangas remained in control as they won 4.3 (27) to 2.6 (18). Skipper Kristie Cooper led the way with two goals and she was well supported by Laura Archer, Abbie Bootsma, Michala Sandy and Jasmin Kennedy. The Sharks were best served by Ellie Puls, Emma Brady, Jeanette Gordon and Hayley Williamson (one goal). In the top-four shaping final round at Mt Barker’s Sounness Park on Saturday afternoon, the Sharks and Magpies start things off at 2pm, followed by the Tigers against the Lions at 3.45pm and then the Kangas facing off against the Bulls at 5.30pm.