GSFL 2025: Denmark-Walpole celebrate 200-game milestone for Simon Barker with come from behind win over Royals

Spurred on by the 200-game milestone of one of their most loyal servants, Denmark-Walpole produced a brilliant final term to come from the clouds and knock off Royals by 17 points on Saturday. Six unanswered goals from the Magpies in the fourth term lifted them to a pivotal victory, now one game clear of the Lions in the battle for fourth spot and a finals berth. There was strong support for the visitors at Retravision Stadium as they celebrated the achievement of club legend Simon Barker. A Magpies stalwart, Barker ran out through a banner lined by those wearing masks of his smiling face and he gave them plenty to cheer about – kicking two goals in his side’s final quarter avalanche. The Magpies trailed by 22 points at three quarter time and despite kicking to the end favoured by the breeze, they hadn’t been convincing in the first half of the NAIDOC Round contest. However the visitors dug deep for Barker, as they dominated play and inside 50s in the final stanza to record a memorable 13.14 (92) to 11.9 (75) win. Barker was chaired from the ground, pumping his first in the air with delight as the Magpies boosted their hopes of playing finals this year. Rising star Ryan Hick kicked two crucial goals in the last term while towering target Sam Holmes and skipper Banjo Watkins also helped sink the Lions with conversions. The Lions kicked with the breeze in the first term, boom recruit Josh Caddy having a hand in almost everything as they skipped 25 points clear. Control was with the home side for nearly the entire first half, the Magpies looking out of sorts and lacking key skill execution in the windy conditions. Young gun Cooper Edwards played well in his return for the Lions and when he kicked the first goal of the second half his side had powered 37 points ahead. Magpies star Reagan Hutchinson trimmed the deficit and then Bailey Bennett lifted the visitors with two consecutive majors. Hutchinson jailed his third to make it 11 points but goals from hard-working duo Declan McNamara and Corey Ward had the Lions well clear at the last break. However it was all the visitors in the final term, running away with a third win of the season for one of their club’s greatest players. Hutchinson was outstanding in the front half and well supported by Hick, ruckman Stewart Davies and Barker in his big game. Holmes and Stone looked constantly threatening in attack while Tait Hartfield intercepted well and Matthew Clarke also had some key moments. The Lions were left to rue their poor final term but were the walking wounded at the finish. Ward was awarded the NAIDOC Round jumper as best on ground for his stellar four-quarter performance while McNamara won plenty of possessions and clearances. Edwards was also busy and Caddy kicked two goals and set up a third in the first term before going down with a bad cork. The Lions also lost Cameron Lazar to injury before the first half ended.