Played at Diggers Daws Oval Sunday August 3rd.
Railways 7.4 7.8 12.8 13.10 (88) Mines Rovers 1.2 4.4 6.8 9.8 (62)
Goalscorers Railways: David Marinovich 6, Aaron Rymer 2, Carl Armstrong, Chris Rymer, Christian Robinson, Rhett Foster & Sean O’Keeffe 1. Goalscorers Mines: Rob Hansen 6, Leigh Mourish 2 & Russell Walton 1.
Best Players Railways: Brodie Peterson, Aaron Rymer, Sean O’Keeffe, Roland Morrison, Justin Giles, Rhett Foster & David Marinovich. Best Players Mines: Cameron Allen, Steve Dewar, Nick Willis, Jamie Bolt & Mitch Graham.
This contest placed the top two teams against each other with Mines keen to atone for their only on field loss in 2008 which was the last start game against the same opposition. Veteran Brett Turner was playing his 250th game for Mines, the first Diorite to do so, and his 295th GFL game in total (excluding rep footy), so there was plenty at stake for the seasons run away leaders, but you did need to blink twice when seeing the Quarter Time scoreboard, granted Railways kicked with a strong breeze they would have been pinching themselves to have a 38 point advantage. In the second Mines did reduce the gap while Railways failed to kick a goal, yet in reflection may have done more in this quarter to be closer at Half Time. The Diorites dominated the early going against the breeze in the third quarter and closed the gap inside two goals only for Railways to fire up and by three quarter time David Marinovich had kicked 6 goals (to make it 14 since his return the following week). The Big Man was brilliant and clearly had the better of his more seasoned opponent in Nathan Mourish and fed by the ball winning efforts of Sean O’Keeffe, David Stubbs, Rhett Foster and the tenacious Aaron Rymer his marking and straight kicking was feature in Railways 6 goal advantage. Mines through the class of skipper Rob Hansen who did seem effected by injury but still managed 6 goals, got within 3 goals but a clever snap by Panther Star Sean O’Keeffe nailed the match for the Panthers which has provided them some brief breathing space in 2nd Position. The Diorites were best served by Jamie Bolt and Mitch Graham down back, while Cameron Allen, Nick Willis and Steve Dewar had solid individual games.
The Panthers entered the match very close to full strength with 07 Mitchell Medallist James Langley and rebounding Defender Brendan Sacilotto and only notable absentee’s, while for the Diorites any re-match in the finals with Railways should see Trent Moon, Brett Pattison, Chris Brabazon, Mark Parriman & Ben Basley as important inclusions.
Played at Kambalda West Oval Sunday August 3rd.
Boulder 2.3 7.4 8.4 14.7 (91) Kambalda 3.2 3.4 5.9 8.10 (58)
Goalscorers Boulder: Chris Maguire 3, Chayne George, Adrian Hooks & Scott Worthington 2, Ben Gabbedy, Vic Smith, Colin Harvey, Luke Ryan & Henry Papertalk 1. Goalscorers Kambalda: Matt Johnston & Troy Wilson 2, Matt Freemantle, Tim Fitzgerald, Tyrone Ward & James Murray 1.
Best Players Boulder: John Grandile, Jason Rowe, Chayne George, Daniel Coughlan & Chris Bowie. Best Players Kambalda: Matt Johnston, Jaye Blechynden, John Doran, Chris Skidmore & Mark Sudweeks.
A Crunch game for both teams jostling for positions in the four, and you’d suggest Kambalda entered the game as favourites given their solid home form and Boulder indifferent recent outings, but like footy can do, the underdog got up and won the four points against most people’s thinking. The Tigers have proven to be a good match up for the Eagles and took control during the second quarter and built on the margin to eventually record an impressive 33 point victory. For the Eagles Mitchell Medal Favourite Matt Johnston once again figured as their best and has another two games to possibly shore up the Eagles first winner of the medal since 1996. The Tigers were best served by some usuals suspects in 2008 the best players list and the Tigers would be well pleased with a return to form of Wingman and Linkman Chris Bowie.
Members of Kalgoorlie would have hated the above result as pending a minor miracle this has put a closed door on any finals thoughts for Shane Properjohn and his side in 2008.
This Weekend
Mines will be keen to shut/nail the door on the Roos faint finals hopes when they host the black and whites at Digger Daws Oval this Sunday, while a most important game given the make up of positions 2nd, 3rd and 4th has Railways at home against Kambalda, with the three clashes this year favouring the home team with Kambalda winning both home town games, while Railways were comprehensive at Sir Richard Moore in the 2nd Round. Boulder have the bye but will have eyes firmly cast at Sir Richard Moore.
The Ladder
Mines Rovers 12 wins from 14 games 1 Forfeit 155.22 % 48 points. Railways 7 wins from 14 games 100.09% 28 points. Boulder 6 wins 1 Draw from 15 games 95.10% 26 points. Kambalda 6 wins from 14 games 92.72% 24 points. Kalgoorlie 4 wins 1 Draw from 14 games 69.87% 18 points.
Leading Goal Kickers.
Chris Maguire (B) 51 Rob Hansen (M) 41 David Marinovich (R) 38 Damian Dunlea (B) 28 James Murray (Kam) 26 Matt Wellstead (Kalg) 25 Brett Turner (M) 25 |