GSFLW 2025: Bulls retain top spot, Magpies flex muscles in big win over Kangas, and Sharks edge out Lions

Mt Barker and Denmark-Walpole firmed as finals contenders after strong victories in Pride Round of the Great Southern Football League Women’s competition on Saturday. Round five of the GSFLW was a festival of footy, with the six women’s teams embracing the Pride theme in a triple-header at Retravision Stadium. In a round one rematch, Railways were determined to redeem themselves against an unstoppable Bulls outfit and put a score on the board, kicking four consecutive minors in the first quarter. A troublesome wind favouring the northern end led to a game played largely in that 50m arc, with both teams scrabbling around the northern posts. Despite the strong first-quarter effort and making the Bulls scrape for every possession, the Tigers’ first win remains elusive after the reigning premiers kicked away with a late three-goal final term to secure a 27-point win. The Bulls had regained control by half-time after kicking their first major, and went on to claim a 4.7 (31) to 0.4 (4) victory. Kaitlin Eades led the way for the Bulls with two majors, while Lilly Fiegert, Sophie Richards, Zoe Keley and Ella Higgins were also impressive as the Bulls remain unbeaten and top of the ladder after five games. The Tigers’ best players were Claire McIntyre, Krystal Prunster, Kiahn Perry and captain Kathryn Slattery, who returned for her first game of the season. North Albany were filled with gusto after last week’s breakthrough win, their first in nearly two years, but they were outclassed by a red-hot Magpies outfit. The Magpies powered clear with a three-goal opening term and didn’t look back, winning by 36 points in the end. Nicole Boland booted the Kangas’ only major as they went down 1.0 (6) to 5.12 (42). Magpies gun Rebecca Goodliffe kicked two of her side’s five goals, while Megan Ross, Amber Jeeves, Brittany Finigan and Siri Matthews were also influential, with the Pies two points clear in second spot on the ladder. Louise Quartermaine, Kirstie Cooper, Jasmin Kennedy and Abbie Bootsma were the Kangas’ best players. Royals and Albany got off to a slow start at their shared home ground, ending the first half with a single-digit combined score. The Sharks kicked into gear for the third quarter, with Ellie McTavish bagging two consecutive goals to put them ahead. Lions captain Nardia Humphries followed with a fourth-quarter reply but it still wasn’t enough as the Sharks secured the win by five points. Jeanette Gordon, Gillian Chan, Tessa Grant and Maddi Miller put in good performances for Sharks in the 2.1 (13) to 1.2 (8) result, while the Lions were best served by captain Nardia Humphries, Nicole Jacobs, Nicola Thomas and Joslyn Pass. In round six on Friday, the Magpies will tackle the Sharks at McLean Park before the Kangas and Bulls do battle later at the same venue. The Tigers and Lions, who sit outside the top four, will clash at Keep the Sheep Stadium.