Played at Sir Richard Moore Sports Centre Saturday Night September 8^th

 

Mines Rovers               2.2                   6.6                   8.7                   15.11 (101)

Railways                       1.4                   3.4                   4.8                   4.9    (33)

 

Goalscorers Mines: Matt James 5, Codey Alexander & Chris Brabazon 2, Nathan Mourish, Jolan Fleay, Brett Turner, Russell Walton, Steve Dewar & Rob Hansen 1.

Goalscorers Railways: Michael Towns 2, David Stubbs & Brodie Peterson 1.

 

Best Players Mines: Chris Brabazon, Mark McQueen, Russell Walton, Nathan Mourish, Codey Alexander, Trent Moon & Steve Dewar.

Best Players Railways: David Stubbs, Rhett Foster, Michael McLean, Anthony Frayne, Meshek White & Brodie Peterson.

 

Fyson Medallist: Mark McQueen.

Subi Golds Award: Trent Moon.

 

Team Changes Mines: In Marc Johnstone.  Out  Kieron Giblett

Team Changes Railways: In Clinton Freeman. Out Russell Davies

 

Field Umpires: Paul Matthews, Anthony Kerr & Matt Hosking.

Goal Umpires: Bernie Miller & George Gale.

 

 

Mines Rovers completed a remarkable turnaround in the clubs fortunes by defeating Railways with a powerful display to secure the Premiership by 68 points, the 38^th time Mines have been the seasons best.  Mines won only 4 games in 2006 and the return of some experience, fitness and desire saw the Diorites only lose 2 qualifying games en route to success in the Second Semi Final and ultimately in the game that matters.

Railways who had not defeated Mines in five previous clashes would have been encouraged by the less than two goal losses in the most recent clashes but found themselves outplayed, out muscled and simply outclassed by a determined Mines Rovers side.

If answers to questions like, are Mines too old, too slow, and will the demons of the 2002 Night Grand Final loss haunt them, then the 26 scoring shots to 13 including 7 unanswered last quarter goals put a full stop to those suggestions!

 

Railways won the toss and kicked with quite a strong breeze to the hospital end, but like the Second Semi Final it was Mines who adapted to the conditions and the tempo the quickest and they had quickly kicked the games opening two goals, while Railways struggled to get the ball inside 50, only to when successful missed conversions to complete the quarter with a paltry 1.4.

Trailing by 4 points Railways needed to to be miserly in defence which was a plan thwarted by Full Forward Matt James who kicked 3 goals in this period while Russell Walton was gaining plenty of ball but missing opportunities to put Railways away.  Wingman Codey Alexander and Jolan Fleay and midfielder’s Chris Brabazon and Steve Dewar were gaining plenty of ball, while Trent Moon started to work his way into the contest, where it was all starting to happen with Mark McQueen again having the better of the Ruck against 2007 Mitchell Medallist in James Langley, the margin at the half was only 20 points but in terms of the contest did seem a lot higher.

The Panthers needed to make inroads into the margin to be any hope in the last as the breeze had now dropped and whilst goals were hard to come by Mines kicked 2 and Railways 1, the margin had increased to 23 points at the last change.  Mines were getting a contribution from all players with Marc Johnstone and Jason Boyd coming onto the ground with immediate impact while the unheralded Matt Fink and Jamie Caruana providing solid contributions to their team complimenting the more higher profile Diorites.  The Panthers started to tire under the pressure with Skipper David Stubbs and Vice Captain Rhett Foster who was shaken up early in the 3^rd trying their utmost but again when opportunities did present Railways couldn’t convert.

In the last quarter Panther Aaron Rymer had an early chance to post a goal when his simple shot cannoned into the post from 20 metres and if this was to shake the spirit of Railways then Mines kicking the last 7 goals of the game certainly did.  Mines were relentless and once the after burners were ignited it was only the joy and relief that the final siren brought to stop the onslaught, you’d almost suggest that every Diorite touched the footy in the last 20 minutes as it was a powerful display by the seasons best performed side and Railways were caught in the headlights!

After the final siren it was a jubilant Mines Rovers side who embraced one and all with special treatment given to President Peter Hunter and Coach Graeme Borchet, who now holds the unique honour of having coached the premiership side in the only two Night GFL Grand Finals (Railways 2002 and Now Mines 2007).  Borchet and skipper Rob Hansen spoke with great praise and pride for the Diorites and were also must humble in victory and acknowledgements made to Railways would have been well received in their moment of disappointment.

 

Since the game it has been announced that Mines Nathan Mourish one of his sides best has announced his playing retirement after 74 games and 3 flags 2003, 2004 and 2007, the 33 year old has been a vital component to the Diorites and shared his last game with brother Leigh who played game number 50 in the flag winning effort.

 

In the minor grades Mines Rovers made it a senior double with the Reserves defeating Kalgoorlie 10.10 (70) to 5.6 (36) with Diorite John Haynes belying his 36 years of age to take the Ian Clark Medal as best afield.  In the Colts Boulder made it back to back flags at the expense of Railways 6.10 to 5.6 with Railways Ruckman Peter Nazzari winning the CJ Wilson Medal despite the result not being as he’d hoped.

 

Season 2007 has been fantastic and in a few weekends time the craving for local GFL footy will re-start and patience will be required until late March/early April 2008, with the Footy Forum to be held on the 8th November to be a foundation stone for next year.