Played Saturday September 6^th at Sir Richard Moore Sports Centre

Mines Rovers               6.0                   12.4                 13.7                 14.11 (95)

Kambalda                    4.3                   7.3                  10.4                 13.5   (83)

Goalscorers Mines: Matt James & Rob Hansen 3, Leigh Mourish & Trent Moon 2, Nathan Mourish, Cameron Allen, Justin Langridge, Brett Turner 1.

Goalscorers Kambalda: James Murray 5, Lincoln Rodney 3, Lorrence Farmer, Michael Rodney, Tim Fitzgerald, Tyron Ward & Matt Johnston 1.

Best Players Mines: Cameron Allen, Russell Walton, Trent Moon, Rob Hansen, Chris Brabazon, Mark McQueen & Mitch Graham.

Best Players Kambalda: John Doran, Chris Skidmore, Matt Johnston, James Murray, Lincoln Rodney, Tyron Ward & Mark Paperone.

Fyson Medal (Voted by Judges) Cameron Allen (Mines Rovers)

Subiaco Golds Medallist (Voted by Umpires) Mitch Graham (Mines Rovers)

Field Umpires: Paul Matthews, Anthony Kerr & Colin Grove.

A fast finishing second half was not enough by Kambalda to prevent Mines Rovers from securing their 39^th GFL League Premiership.  In a highly entertaining and bruising affair a powerful second quarter by the Diorites proved telling and despite tiring in the second half were able to go back to back with a 12 point victory.

At the selection table Mines brought in Trent Moon who kicked two goals and was influential with his ball reading skills at the expense of injured wingman Mark Parriman, while Kambalda were dealt a real blow when boom forward Troy Wilson could not break pre arranged commitments and was replaced by youngster Tim Fitzgerald who kicked one goal and did not look out of place in the pressure cooker environment.

The key to Mines victory was their ability to kick goals deep into quarters (red time) with late goals in the first giving them a quarter time lead after trailing for a bulk of this, and late goals in the second looked as though they had set up a match winning 31 point margin at the half, in the third quarter Kambalda started to close the gap but a steadying goal by Mines at the 21 minute mark their only for the term saw them swing for home with a 21 point advantage, so five of Mines 14 goals would have been scored past the 20 minute mark in these three terms, and when the final margin was so close, this is significant.

Youngster Cameron Allen was the best midfielder on the ground and richly deserved the Fyson Medal, the Mark McQueen v Chris Skidmore battle was enthralling, Mitch Graham read the ball well and had his hands full with James Murray, and it then came down to the wily veterans in Rob Hansen, Nathan Mourish Trent Moon and Russell Walton who all cast their experience and skill on the contest, while Chris Brabazon got better the game went longer and Leigh Mourish was a threatening forward all afternoon. Mines performance was also the more meritorious after finals star Steve Dewar was red carded for misconduct mid way through the first quarter which meant his afternoon was done and left Mines a player short for 15 minutes of playing time.

Kambalda with or without Troy Wilson were certainly not the punters favourite as all monies were on the blue and whites, and you’d suspect the price would have tightened further when news spread of Troy Wilson not playing, yet at times this young group controlled the Grand Final.  James Murray was at his electrifying best kicking five goals for a handy 41 return for 2008, Mitchell Medallist Matt Johnston was prominent, Chris Skidmore battled manfully In the ruck and played on despite a shoulder problem and rebounding half back John Doran completed an outstanding finals series to be Kambalda’s best and most effective player.  In the end time did beat the Eagles who can be most proud of 2008 achievements after winning just a single game in 2007.

Whilst for the victors the relief was obvious when the final siren sounded Coach Graeme Borchet was very emotional and proud of his troupes and firmly indicated that his stint as a senior coach will end for the moment after the back to back success.  Skipper and genuine superstar Rob Hansen has retired from the game with his 5^th premiership after 155 games for Mines and he certainly had a positive influence in the success while forward Matt James after 73 games with Kambalda finishes with back to back flags in his 33^rd game for Mines and kicked 3 goals which provided Mines with the early running.  Chris Brabazon has left the region with employment, Cameron Allen the Fyson Medallist has indicated a return to Perth with further question marks about Trent Moon, Russell Walton & Nathan Mourish so this may prove the end of one era, and opening for another for this ultra successful senior club.

The huge crowd assembled for the Saturday Afternoon Grand Final were treated to a great football exhibition and were well behaved despite the cool conditions the weather remained clear, with some remarking it was the best, toughest and tightest Grand Final for some time, with Railways 13 point victory over Boulder in 2006 the closest senior grand final that springs to mind since 1997.

Reserves: Mines Rovers 8.11 def Kambalda 6.10 margin 13 points Ian Clarke Medallist: Ross Lynch.(M)

Colts: Railways 16.l1 def Kalgoorlie 10.3 margin 44 points CJ Wilson Medallist: Justin Giles (R)