Played at Kambalda West Oval Saturday Night March 29^th.

Mines Rovers               1.2                   5.4                   8.11                 12.12 (84)

Kambalda                    4.8                   4.10                 7.12                 9.13 (67)

Goalscorers Mines Rovers: Justin Langridge 3, Cameron Allen & Marc Johnstone 2, Darrah Doutch, Rob Hansen, Leigh Mourish, Nathan Mourish & Clayton Scott 1.

Goalscorers Kambalda: James Murray 3, Daniel Milton & Gerald Hansen 2, Patrick Lloyd & Tyrone Ward 1.

Best Players Mines Rovers: Justin Langridge, Nathan Mourish, Cameron Allen, Brett Turner & Jamie Bolt.

Best Players Kambalda: Matt Johnston, Tyrone Ward, Chris Skidmore, Jaye Fisher & John Doran.

A large crowd witnessed an entertaining match between Mines the defending premiers and the Eagles looking to celebrate something in the clubs 40^th Year.

Despite having many 07 premiership players on the sidelines Mines proved they will once again be a difficult proposition and have also added some more quality to a quality group led by former Roos on baller Justin Langridge who finished the highest goal scorer and best for the Diorites.  Evergreen Brett Turner equaled the club record for League appearances with Mines at 237 to join Alan Forrest, and has already become the leagues leading games played holder in 2007, when combining previous games played for Boulder.

Kambalda look to have recruited smart, and this will give new coach Stan Ward and Eagles supporters much encouragement that 2008 may hold some brighter fortunes.

Played at Digger Daws Oval Sunday March 30^th.

Boulder                        4.1                   8.4                   13.8                 20.11 (131)

Kalgoorlie                    3.3                   6.5                   9.8                  11.11 (77)

Goalscorers Boulder: Chris Maguire 7, Damian Dunlea 4, Dion Woods 3, Marty McGrath, Daniel Coughlan, Shannon Penny, Lindsay Woods, Adrian Hooks, Nathan Papertalk 1.

Goalscorers Kalgoorlie: Ryan Holman & Matt Wellstead 2, Lee Boath, Rick Butterfield, Wes Miller, Nick Hay, Luke Taylor, Bryan Tepper & Dale Beeson 1.

Best Players Boulder: Brent Marra, Chris Maguire, Chayne George, Damian Dunlea, Vic Smith & Colin Harvey.

Best Players Kalgoorlie: Josh Bartel, Dale Beeson, Matt Cullen, Brendan Cullen, Nick Hay & Shane Properjohn.

The GFL’s first day game of 2008 presented a semi final sized crowd, with plenty encouraged to Digger Daws oval by the wonderful conditions, but also the spice in the Contest.  Playing his first game for Kalgoorlie was Matt Wellstead, who last year became Boulders games record holder, but crossed to Kalgoorlie in the off season, while former Railways duo Shane Properjohn who is now Coach of Kanga’s and who’s first game for the black and whites brought up his combined 150 GFL Rep Games and Club Games, while Stuart Gould crossed with his former team mate.  While for Boulder they have been very active in the off season with recognized recruits in former AFL and WAFL player Dion Woods, and former State and WAFL player Chris Maguire and former AFL player in Marty McGrath, throw in some real speed, skill and excitement in Lindsay Woods, Nathan Papertalk and the returning Shannon Penny (formerly known as Shannon Parfitt) it was little wonder the ground was packed to the rafters.

Whilst the final margin was 9 goals, the game was a great contest with Boulder surging away with the game late in the 3^rd Quarter and finishing some hard work with a powerful display in the last.  The Tigers got good contribution across the ground and look settled in defence where Vic Smith played very well and they’ve unearthed a solid rebounding half back flanker in former Victorian Brent Marra, Colin Harvey battled manfully in the Ruck, co-captains Daniel Coughlan and Adrian Hooks led beatifully while Chris Maguire and Dion Woods are going to prove effective in attack.  For Kalgoorlie they showed great competitive spirit, who were hampered with the sending off of Bryan Tepper who was playing a useful game, and on the training track this week one would suggest Coach Shane Properjohn would be refining the kicking skills of the players, which was an area that they let themselves down.  With some match practice Josh Bartel looks a real Big Man prospect for the Roos, who are not flush in this department, but he shows good skills and a booming kick, while in their debut games 15yo Nick Hay and 16yo Matt Cullen both made it to the best players list.

Derby Weekend is next, with Saturday Night at Sir Richard Moore Sports Centre having Railways and Kalgoorlie clash.  Railways who will be coached again by Conan Wheatcroft have been quiet in the lead up to the season and will face former players Stuart Gould and Shane Properjohn for the first time, Properjohn in particular was an icon at Railways with 3 Premierships and Two Fairest and Bests, and in the past a real nemesis for Kalgoorlie, so seeing him in black and white might be hard for some Panthers to take.

On Sunday despite only being Round 2 the Boulder Derby has last weeks winners pitted against each other, with the Tigers to end a recent dominance the Diorites have had over them, and with Premiership Players returning for Mines and Boulder seeming quite settled for so many recruits Diorites Coach Graeme Borchet and Tigers Shane Cable will be spending some time plotting their plan of attacks.  Kambalda will have the bye.