Played Digger Daws Oval Sunday August 24th.
Mines Rovers 3.3 3.6 5.11 13.16 (94)
Railways 1.0 2.2 5.3 5.4 (34)
Goalscorers Mines Rovers: Leigh Mourish & Nick Willis 3, Chris Brabazon, Rob Hansen, Steve Dewar, Mark Parriman, Justin Langridge, Cameron Allen & Joel Gust 1.
Goalscorers Railways: David Marinovich 2, Aaron Rymer, David Stubbs & Christian Robinson 1.
Best Players Mines Rovers: Mitch Graham, Cameron Allen, Steve Dewar, Mark McQueen, Justin Langridge, Leigh Mourish, Nathan Mourish & Jamie Bolt
Best Players Railways: David Stubbs, Graham Wright, Justin Giles, James Langley, Brendan Sacilotto, Matt Armstrong & Dave Harring.
In what can be best described as an unusual game in perfect clear conditions goalscoring was hard to find for both teams until the Diorites unleashed the shackles and blew the game and Railways apart with a devastating eight goal final term. With only ten goals kicked in total for the game to three quarter time the game was progressing at a ho hum pace but the sheer ball winning abilities of Cameron Allen, Steve Dewar and Justin Langridge turned some three quarter time tense moments into party time for the Diorites with make shift forward Nick Willis prominent in this period while Leigh Mourish was dragging down mark after mark with both he and Willis finishing with 3 goals each. Mark McQueen was a dominant big man force while Mitch Graham, Brett Pattison and Jamie Bolt were solid defenders and the icing on the cake for the Diorites was a classy effort from youngster Joel Gust who was given some ground time and kicked a wonderful goal to extend the margin. For Railways the 60 point defeat and the manner in how they played and responded to the final 25 minutes of the game was disturbing, having entered the game boasting two previous victories against the Diorites the gap between the teams that we thought had narrowed, now leaves the Panthers with a major Preliminary Final challenge against Kambalda before even entering thoughts on how they could defeat Mines in a Grand Final. Railways were rocked by the late withdrawal of vice captain Rhett Foster due to illness and his willingness to work and enter a contest was sorely missed, while some of the Panthers better players during a five game winning streak entering the second semi were rarely sighted. Those who could at least acknowledge their own efforts included Skipper David Stubbs, youngster Justin Giles on his wing, while Brendan Sacilotto worked hard to rebound from half back and defender Matt Armstrong showed efforts of resistance, and 07 Mitchell Medallist James Langley did encourage the red and blacks with some hard work and an improvement in form.
Mines now have the week off to contemplate a 39th Premiership and back to back success, where veteran Brett Turner will suit up for his 298th GFL Game and attempt at premiership number 10, while Skipper Robbie Hansen has indicated this will be his last game, where a Premiership would be an ideal salute to one of the regions greatest ever players which also includes Dual Mitchell Medals in 1998 and 2002 and Mines Premierships in 01, 03, 04 and 07.
Preview Preliminary Final Sunday August 31st At Sir Richard Moore Sports Centre
Previous Clashes.
-Round 4 Under Lights In Kambalda 17.8 (110) def Railways 9.9 (63) Margin 47 points. James Murray (Kam) 7 goals, Gerald Hansen (Kam) 3, best two James Murray and Adam Jukes (Kam), Michael Towns (R) 3 best two Aaron Rymer and Dave Harring (R).
-Round 9 Day Game at SRM Railways 18.14 (122) def Kambalda 9.4 (58) Margin 64 points. Sean O'Keeffe (R) debut close over 40 touches 3 goals, David Marinovich (R) 7 goals, Langley (R) in best players. Lorrence Farmer (Kam) 4 goals Chris Skidmore (Kamb) and Jay Fisher (Kamb) best for Eagles.
-Round 14 Day Game at Kambalda, Kambalda 14.13 (97) def Railways 8.11 (59) Margin 38 points. James Murray (Kam) 6 goals Tyron Ward (Kam) 3, best two players, Sean O'Keeffe (R) 2 goals, he and Chris Rymer best.
-Round 19 Played August 10th at SRM Railways 21.5 (131) def Kambalda 5.8 (38) Margin 93 points. David Marinovich (R) 8 goals, Ryan Stubbs (R) 5, Brodie Peterson, Sean O'Keeffe and David Marinovich best, for Kambalda James Murray 1 goal, Chris Skidmore (Kam) and Jay Fisher (Kam) best.
Hard to know what conclusions to draw from the home away season between these two where wins have occurred for the home team.
If your chasing a close game based on the above then maybe don't bother Kambalda boast a 42 point victory average while Railways boast a 78 point average.
It appears that James Murray enjoys kicking a goal against Railways having netted 14 from 3 games (though only one in the last contest) and Chris Skidmore's best performance's in 08 have been against the Panthers, while Sean O'Keeffe has proven a ball magnet and has featured in his sides best players in all 3 games he has played and David Marinovich kicked 8 goals to half time in the last clash.
Despite Railways 93 point victory over Kambalda occurring 3 weeks ago, plenty has changed since. Railways scrambled for victory over Boulder and then capitulated against Mines, while Kambalda bounced back from the Panthers thrashing with a big win against Kalgoorlie then a super impressive performance against Boulder, where it was one of those magic games James Murray kicked 5 Troy Wilson (who hasn't played against Railways in 08) kicked 6, on ballers won virtually every contest and the defence was water tight. Kambalda have built momentum, Matt Johnston has won the Mitchell Medal and the Kalgoorlie Miner Footballer of the year and you get the feeling that this playing group representing the side on field for the 40th year anniversary have clicked into gear at the time of the year where it matters, while Railways arguably have more combined talent, at this moment don't seem as gelled which is a strange comment given they have won 5 out of their last 6 games but their last two granted one was a win have been less than impressive.
Ok so Kambalda do face a superior opposition to Kalgoorlie and Boulder, and lets face it Railways after all did play Mines last week who are the seasons benchmark, from last week Kambalda can regain ruckman Chris Skidmore from suspension though Lorrence Farmer and Gerald Hansen didn't let the side down at all in this area, while Railways should have Vice Captain Rhett Foster and defender Tristan Burgoyne available at the selection table. The Game is at Sir Richard Moore Sports Centre and possibly the sheer location of the venue might go some way to deciding a result.
One thing is for certain it is great to have a genuine and competitive Kambalda this deep into the finals where all three grades will be competing for a Grand Final appearance.
10am Colts Kambalda v Kalgoorlie
12pm Reserves Kambalda v Kalgoorlie
2.15pm League Railways v Kambalda
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