GSFLW 2026: Denmark-Walpole and Albany set up top of table showdown after emphatic round-five victories

Denmark-Walpole notched their fourth win of the season and remain in the top two on the Great Southern Football League Women’s ladder after disposing of North Albany on Sunday. The Magpies were a little wayward in front of goal but stormed to a 41-point win courtesy of a dominant opening half at Retravision Stadium. After leading by nine points at quarter time, the Magpies kicked three unanswered goals in the second term to surge 29 points ahead of the winless Kangas. The Kangas won the last quarter of the round-five contest, kicking their sole goal, but the game was over at the last change with the Magpies already more than seven goals in front. Three goals from 2024 GSFLW fairest-and-best winner Grace Dempster proved vital for the Magpies as they recorded a comfortable win, 6.11 (47) to 1.0 (6). Dempster was super for the Magpies along with Ella Butler (one goal), Esme MacDonald and Ashlee Kerr while their other major came from the boot of Jane Devenport. The Kangas were best served by Lucia Edwards, Kirstie Cooper, Poet Smargiassi and Josie Western while Jolene Olde booted their final-quarter goal. The result keeps the Magpies firmly in the top two on the ladder heading into the final five weeks of the regular season, still four points adrift of top team Albany. The top two sides will clash in a spicy contest at McLean Park on Friday night, the first time the pair have squared off this season. In other round-five GSFLW matches, Railways were impressive 39-point winners over reigning premiers Mt Barker. The Tigers’ third win of the season was on the back of a brilliant display from midfielder Kathryn Slattery. Slattery kicked a goal to go with a stack of possessions as the Tigers kicked four goals in a strong opening half and held the Bulls to just two majors for the entire game. Tiarna Delli-Benedetti was terrific up forward for the Tigers and kicked three goals on her return while Ava Bowbanks, Summer Carpenter and Taiah Curtis (two goals) also played well. The Bulls felt the absence of star Zoe Keley but were well served by Mae Porter, Libby Morris, Charlotte Ballard and Tajah Griffiths in the 2.2 (14) to 6.17 (53) loss. Griffiths and Mikayla Kafi both kicked majors for the Bulls, who find themselves fourth on the ladder and just a game clear of the fifth-placed Royals. Albany continued on their winning ways, holding Royals scoreless in the first senior match of the triple header at Retravision Stadium. The Sharks piled on four goals to nil by half time and finished 41-point victors in the end as competition star Aleisha Scanlon was again influential. Scanlon booted three goals in a dazzling display as the Sharks prevailed 6.9 (45) to 0.4 (4). Hayley Williamson, Emily Wray and Jeanette Gordon were also pivotal for the Sharks in their fifth straight win of 2026. Strong contributors for the Lions were Telisa Reynolds, Hannah Mackay, Hayley Ashboth and Cheyane Hardy. In the youth girls competition Royals were emphatic 37-point winners over Albany, North Albany prevailed over Denmark-Walpole by 26 points and Railways triumphed by 49 points over Mt Barker. Round six of the GSFLW season will be played on Friday night with a double header at McLean Park starting with the Kangas and Bulls at 5.30pm before the top-of-the-table clash between the Sharks and Magpies at 8.15pm. The Lions will host the Tigers at Retravision Stadium at 6.45pm in the other fixture.