The West Australian’s sports reporters take a look at what’s happening in the country and amateur leagues around WA in this weekly column.
Railways’ remarkable turnaround wins GSFL women’s flag
WA’s first local football premiership of 2026 has been won with the completion of a remarkable reversal in fortunes. In Friday night’s Great Southern Football League women’s grand final, Railways — who finished the 2025 season at the foot of the ladder — secured the flag by running seven-point winners over Albany.
The Tigers marched their way to the top of the pile thanks to a vibrant final quarter in which they came from behind to triumph 5.3 (33) to 4.2 (26) in front of hundreds of spectators.
Goals from Amalie Weinert, Taiah Curtis and Abby Duncan turned the tables on the Sharks who had been five points ahead until the final term. Kiahn Perry was the first to hit the scoreboard, bagging the Tigers’ first major, but Aleisha Scanlon booted home one for Sharks to leave them just one point in arrears at half-time.
The third quarter belonged to Sharks, with two goals in two minutes from Freya Walsh and Em Baird giving them the edge with a quarter to go. After three stoppage-heavy terms, the last stanza was when the game really came to life with the Tigers sealing their triumph in style.
Tigers young star Georgia Whitelaw was named player of the match while teammates Perry, Hannah Tweedie and Kathryn Slattery also stood out. Baird was ever dangerous for Sharks with teammate Sam Waltho also superb, setting up two goals, while Natasha Bower won a host of clearances late.
-With Claire Middleton
New PFL flag contender emerges
Fremantle CBC might not have been considered among the top echelon of contenders for the Perth Football League A-grade premiership coming into 2026. But five games into the season, they stand as the competition’s only unbeaten side.
CBC stayed ahead of the chasing pack by cruising to an 81-point victory over Ocean Ridge on Saturday, keeping them ahead of North Beach, Curtin University-Wesley and University, who each have 4-1 win-loss records.
Last season’s competition leading goal-kicker and former Fremantle rookie Dillon O’Reilly slotted six goals in the win, taking his tally for the season to 15. CBC will head to Kingsway Reserve for a tantalising clash with the fifth-placed Roos at the weekend, which will mark the opening test in a crunch four-game run in which they will also confront North Beach and Curtin University-Wesley.
Got a country or amateur sports story worth telling? Email josh.kempton@wanews.com.au
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