Played Saturday Night May 24th at Digger Daws Oval.

Mines Rovers               4.4                   7.9                   11.15               15.19 (109)

Kalgoorlie                    1.3                   3.6                     3.10                 3.11  (29)

Goalscorers Mines: Rob Hansen 7, Marc Johnstone, Joel Gust & Nick Willis 2, Matt James & Ben Stein 1.

Goalscorers Kalgoorlie: Lee Boath 2 & Shane Properjohn 1.

Best Players Mines: Steven Dewar, Rob Hansen, Joel Gust, Trent Moon & Mitch Graham.

Best Players Kalgoorlie: Kim Moyle, Rhys O’Loughlin, Matt Wellstead & Scott Haythornthwaite.

The Diorites have taken a firm grip on top spot and the best possible to chance to defend their 07 premiership with a powerful 80 point victory over Kalgoorlie.  In the space of two games the Blue and Whites from Digger Daws Oval have disposed of both Sir Richard Moore Co-Tenants Railways and Kalgoorlie by a combined 173 points.  Putting the previous rounds forfeit controversy behind them the Diorites led at every change and held Kalgoorlie goalless after half time as Rob Hansen in possibly his last senior season with the Diorties in imperious touch with 7 goals to lead the competitions goal kicking with 28 while on ballers Joel Gust, Steven Dewar and Trent Moon all in fine form, with Mines having quality players to fit back into this side over the coming games.  This result for Kalgoorlie has seen them fall to the bottom of the table and they haven’t won a completed game since Round One and face some important challenge’s in coming games to resurrect finals aspirations.

Played Sunday May 25^th at Sir Richard Moore Sports Centre.

Railways                       3.2                   10.5                 13.11               18.14 (122)

Kambalda                    4.1                   7.2                    9.2                   9.4   (58)

Goalscorers Railways: David Marinovich 7, Mick McLean & Sean O’Keefe 3, Ryan Stubbs & Aaron Rymer 2, Ryan Booy 1.

Goalscorers Kambalda: Lorrence Farmer 4, Neil Champion 2, Matt Freemantle, Tyrone Ward & Jarrod Dubyna 1.

Best Players Railways: Sean O’Keefe, James Langley, Carl Armstrong, Rhett Foster, Dave Harring & David Marinovich.

Best Players Kambalda: Chris Skidmore, Jay Fisher, Jaye Blechynden, Matt Johnston, Tyrone Ward & Lincoln Rodney.

Railways completed a remarkable 157 point turn around to put the previous weeks flogging from Mines behind them to record a solid 64 point victory against the improved Kambalda.  It was Kambalda first visit to Sir Richard Moore Sports Centre and a rare day game for the Eagles who found themselves against a committed and determined opposition led by 2007 Mitchell Medallist in James Langley, and boom recruit from SANFL club Sturt Sean O’Keefe who amassed an amazing 48 possessions in his debut run for the red and blacks together with 3 goals.  Key forward David Marinovich was again effective up forward taking strong contested marks and converting 7 goals, which barring for some inaccuracy at times could have ended up in double figures, with the tall forward now having kicked 20 goals in the regular season thus far.  With O’Keefe controlling the game from the centre this allowed vice captain Rhett Foster who was returning from concussion to play across half back a role he enjoyed in early senior seasons for the Panthers and he along with Brendan Sacilotto, Cory Jones and Brodie Peterson were vital in turning Kambalda attacks into Railways forward thrusts, while Carl Armstrong despite battling some leg concerns is in career best form.

Coach Stan Ward would have been disappointed with Kambalda’s final quarter effort which saw them fail to kick a goal and their took an 11% battering, though efforts from ruckman Chris Skidmore who had a great battle with Panther Roland Morrison were lion hearted, while forward Lorrence Farmer returning from injury and still showing some effects there of, was his sides best forward with four goals, around the ground Jay Fisher ran hard over the ground, Matt Johnston once again showed his class while defender Jaye Belchynden battled the elements of constant Panther attacks.

A Low point on the game was mid way through the final quarter when Panther David Manhood recruited from South Australia broke his leg, in a sickening sight that had a nauseous effect on players around the scene, and did delay the game for some time while he was carefully removed from the ground to an awaiting ambulance thereafter.  Manhood was a a hero of sorts two weeks earlier when kicking the Panthers Sealing goal in their 5 point victory and first for 2007 against Kalgoorlie.

The Ladder    

Mines Rovers 7 wins from 7 games 1 Forfeit 157.05%

Boulder 4 wins from 7 games 114.14%

Kambalda 3 wins from 7 games 89.41%

Railways 2 wins from 7 games 86.80%

Kalgoorlie 2 wins from 7 games 65.76%

This Week

The final night game of the home and away season looms as a vital clash to second placed Boulder who host fourth placed Railways, which despite the ladder positions should be an even contest with the Tigers prevailing last start by 3 points, while Sunday Kambalda again travel to league headquarters in a serious crunch match against home side Kalgoorlie, with loss to either having ramifications on their seasons.  Last time this two met it was a victory to Kambalda.