Played at Sir Richard Moore Sports Centre Sunday August 31st.
Kambalda 3.3 8.4 11.5 14.6 (90) Railways 4.1 6.1 9.4 13.5 (83)
Goalscorers Kambalda: Troy Wilson 7, Navarone Hill, Jay Fisher & James Murray 2, Sean Matheson 1. Goalscorers Railways: David Marinovich 5, David Stubbs, Aaron Rymer & Ryan Stubbs 2, Rhett Foster & Christian Robinson 1.
Best Players Kambalda: John Doran, Troy Wilson, Matt Johnston, Stephen Freemantle, Matt Freemantle, Jay Fisher, Chris Skidmore & Mark Paperone. Best Players Railways: Brodie Peterson, James Langley, Sean O’Keeffe, Aaron Rymer, David Marinovich, David Stubbs, Cory Jones & Chris Rymer.
In a highly entertaining contest it was Kambalda who prevailed against the fast finishing Panthers to earn the right to face Mines Rovers in this Saturdays Grand Final. The Eagles who won just the one game in 2007 have impressed many under the coaching of Stan Ward and enter their first Grand Final since 1993 (which ironically was a loss to Mines) and the chance to add to their 3 Premierships recorded in (1976, 1981 and last being 1985). It has been a fairytale run for Kambalda who are celebrated their 40th year in 2008, and have put together their two best performances when they have mattered in the 1st Semi and Sundays Prelim. The Eagles at times looked like blowing the match away from Railways when in the third quarter and again the fourth when the margin stretched to almost four goals but Railways gallant until the final siren fought out the contest (unlike the previous weeks effort against Mines) to fall just 7 points short of a third consecutive grand final appearance. Played in brilliant sunshine and light winds the midfield dominance of 2008 Mitchell Medallist Matt Johnston, Jay Fisher and the Freemantle Boys gave big forward Troy Wilson every opportunity and he duly delivered with 7 match winning goals, whilst well held most of the day by Cory Jones, James Murray managed two goals while surprise packet Navarone Hill kicked his only two goals of 08 in his 6th game of the year and how important these were in the end analysis. Kambalda had the benefit of recalling ruckman Chris Skidmore from suspension at the expense of youngster Tim Fitzgerald and he worked nicely into the contest and had an engaging battle with James Langley and was relieved at times by Gerald Hansen, Kambalda’s defence with Nathan Perkins having a battle with David Marinovich, Jaye Blechynden rebounding well were complimented by the dash, poise, skill and forward thrust delivery by John Doran who was voted best afield. Railways suffered a pre game injury to Roland Morrison which gave James Langley a day of constant rucking a role he didn’t shirk from, while Rhett Foster came back into the side but looked flat since battling the flu. Captain David Stubbs tried his utmost and ball magnets Sean O’Keeffe and Aaron Rymer saw plenty of it, best for the Panthers was Centre Half Back Brodie Peterson who attacked every contest and was a constant source of rebound for Railways, and would be a big chance in taking out his sides Fairest and Best.
In the end the better team did win, and those not associated with Mines Rovers will tail onto the potential fairytale which has been a giant boost for the GFL.
Preview Grand Final Saturday September 6th Mines Rovers v Kambalda.
All four previous clashes have been won by Mines Rovers
****Round 1 Under Lights in Kambalda Mines Rovers 12.12 (84) def Kambalda 9.13 (67) margin 17 points.
Mitchell Medal Votes 5 Cameron Allen (M) 4 Brett Turner (M) 3 Matt Johnston (Kam) 2 Justin Langridge (M) 1 Nathan Mourish (M)
Justin Langridge (M) 3 goals Best Players all as above and Jamie Bolt.
James Murray (Kam) 3 goals Best Players Matt Johnston, Tyrone Ward & Chris Skidmore.
****Round 6 at Digger Daws Oval Mines Rovers 11.13 (79) def Kambalda 7.8 (50) margin 29 points.
Mitchell Medal Votes 5 Chris Brabazon (M) 4 Matt Johnston (Kam) 3 Russell Walton (M) 2 Jay Fisher (Kam) 1 Cameron Allen (M)
Rob Hansen (M) 4 goals, Nick Willis (M) 2. Best Players Mitch Graham, Mark McQueen & Above.
Matt Johnston (Kam) 2 goals, Best Players Matt Johnston, Matt Freemantle & Jay Blechynden.
****Round 11 at Kambalda Mines Rovers 18.13 (121) def Kambalda 12.12 (84) margin 37 points.
Mitchell Medal Votes 5 Trent Moon (M) 4 Matt Johnston (Kam) 3 Mitch Graham (M) 2 Lincoln Rodney (Kam) 1 Brett Turner (M)
Brett Turner (M) 6 goals, Trent Moon (M) 4, Best Players Nick Willis, Josh Hunt and Above.
Sean Matheson (Kam) 3 goals Stephen Freemantle (Kam) 2, Best Players Matt Freemantle, Tyrone Ward, Matt Johnston & Linclon Rodney.
****Round 16 at Digger Daws Oval Mines Rovers 17.13 (115) def Kambalda 11.11 (77) margin 38 points.
Mitchell Medal Votes 5 Cameron Allen (M) 4 Nick Willis (M) 3 Matt Johnston (Kam) 2 Chris Brabazon (M) 1 Nathan Mourish (M)
Russell Walton & Matt James (M) 3 goals Best Players: As above.
Matt Johnston & James Murray (Kam) 3 goals Best Players Matt Johnston, Jay Fisher. This was Troy Wilson first game v Mines scoring 2 goals.
2008 Mitchell Medallist polled votes in all four losing games against Mines Rovers while Medal Runner Cameron Allen polled 3 from 4 games, these two will have big afternoons ahead of them. Mines have shared goals around against Kambalda with only Brett Turners 6 goals in Round 11 a stand out individual performance.
At the selection table you’d expect Kambalda to be unchanged while Mines Rovers can consider Trent Moon, Jason Boyd and Ben Basley, which means subject to any injury concerns it may make Mark Parriman & Ritchie Bourne slightly nervous before selection.
It is most likely that this game will be the last for Mines Skipper Rob Hansen, and forward Matt James (which is co-incidental that it will be in a grand final against his old club), while Chris Brabazon will leave the area with employment. While veteran Brett Turner would more than likely suit up for 2009 where the 38 year old will line up for round one in his 299th GFL game. For Kambalda subject to staying in the region they could be on the cusp of an exciting era with only former skipper Mark Paperone having played over 100 games for Kambalda with the GF to be game number 136.
Despite the want for a fairytale expect Mines Rovers to win back to back flags and Premiership number 39 by a margin of around 5-6 goals.
The Premiership Ladder
Mines Rovers 38 – Last 2007 Railways 28 – Last 2006 Boulder 26 – Last 2005 Kalgoorlie 12 – Last 1999 Kambalda 3 – Last 1985 |