GNFL & GNWFL round three preview: Railways to face real test against Chapman Valley on Saturday
GNFL & GNWFL round three preview: Railways to face real test against Chapman Valley on Saturday
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West Australian
an hour ago
- West Australian
GNFL and GNWFL round seven preview: Brigades and Northampton to battle it out in game of the round
Northampton will host Brigades in round seven of the GNFL on Saturday as the Rams aim to build on their impressive performance last weekend against Railways when they fell just short in a four-point thriller. Despite only winning one game so far this season, the Rams managed to get extremely close to causing a big upset against the league leaders Railways in Kalbarri. Northampton showed character in the contest, with coach Jeremy Heberle crediting his side for their resilience and determination. 'Certainly proud of the efforts the boys are showing, we are heading in the right direction,' he said. 'I was really happy with our match-ups and our decision-making in key moments throughout that game. 'We bounced back and tested one of the best teams this year, but we are always looking to improve.' Heberle said his side's work rate off the ball and pressure in defence led to the impressive outing against the undefeated Blues. 'We put a focus on our work rate off the ball and it showed,' Heberle said. 'We worked harder when we didn't have the footy and pressure was high. 'I was really happy with how our players handled the situation and their match-ups.' Now turning their attention to hosting Brigades this weekend, Heberle said the confidence within the playing group was high. 'Confidence is up given that we really took it to Railways in the way that we did last week,' he said. 'We are just looking to focus on ourselves and continue to improve. 'Of course we would like to win every game in the season but as long as we are improving, then we are happy. 'Brigades pose a threat but we are more than capable of matching them. 'Shutting down someone like Dylan Ralph will be key as well as giving some attention to Hayden Johnson.' Currently rounding out the top four, Brigades have two wins to their name against Rovers and Mullewa. Regardless of their win-loss ratio, Brigades showed their potential danger to the top teams with a strong performance against reigning premiers Chapman Valley last weekend. The Hawks put on a show in the third quarter, clawing their way back into the contest as the Royals were caught out briefly with Brigades making the most of the momentum swing. While Chapman Valley proved why they are one of the flag favourites for 2025, running away to win by 18 points, the Royals hadn't been tested like that at home in a quarter since their loss against Railways in round three. Brigades will take their best 22 to Northampton with the hopes of picking up their third win of the year as they look to stay in the top four. The GNWFL game of the round will be played at Greenough Oval on Saturday when Rovers host Railways, with both teams looking to clinch their second win of the season. Railways are coming off their first win in 665 days when they beat Northampton in Kalbarri as the team got their season rolling in 2025. After not fielding a team last year, the Blues are back on the winners' list this season and will be looking to go two in a row when they face the Demons. Rovers, however, are coming off a big loss to flag favourites Towns in what was a tough day at Greenough. This week provides a better match-up for the Demons as they look to pick themselves back up against the Blues at home. Rovers' last win came in round three against Northampton when the Dees rolled over the top of the Rams in stunning fashion, winning by 65 points in what was their first win in over two seasons. AROUND THE GROUNDS Saturday, June 7 LEAGUE (2.30pm) Northampton v Brigades: Purcher International Oval Chapman Valley v Mullewa: Mazzuchelli Oval Rovers v Railways: Greenough Oval Bye: Towns WOMEN (1pm) Northampton v Brigades: Purcher International Oval Rovers v Railways: Greenough Oval Bye: Chapman Valley and Towns RESERVES Northampton v Brigades: Purcher International Oval (11.30am) Rovers v Railways: Greenough Oval (11.30am) Chapman Valley v Mullewa: Mazzuchelli Oval (1pm) Bye: Towns COLTS Northampton v Brigades: Purcher International Oval (9.30am) Rovers v Railways: Greenough Oval (9.30am) Chapman Valley v Mullewa: Mazzuchelli Oval (11am) Bye: Towns
West Australian
3 days ago
- West Australian
GNFL round six wrap: Royals stand tall at home while Railways snatch a win in Kalbarri
Two stellar games — Chapman Valley battling it out against Brigades and Railways' close scare against Northampton — headlined round six of the GNFL on Saturday. The Royals hosted the Hawks with the home side keen to bounce back after losing at home to Railways. Brigades came off a 150-point win over Rovers and looked to carry their confidence into the battle in the Valley. However, the Royals stood tall, defeating the visiting Hawks by 18 points, despite a third-quarter scare. Chapman Valley welcomed the three Simpson brothers back for the first time in season 2025 with Kane and Beau returning to play alongside their brother Kobe. The trio put on a show and were among the Royals' best. Tom Walker from Chapman Valley was judged best-on-ground for the Royals, alongside the Simpson brothers and Mick Horstman. Kane Simpson returned to the side after a knee injury with three goals with fellow forward Tyrone Papertalk Jr kicking two, while Kim Schofield also collected two for this efforts out of the middle. Lucas Ronan was one of Brigades' best, finding himself on Jayden Schofield for parts of the game as the young forward booted two goals. Chapman Valley jumped out to a quick start through forward Tom Warr before Brigades replied in the first quarter. However, the Royals managed to add two more to their total going into the first break. A three-goal term for both sides in the second quarter saw momentum swing from end to end, with the Royals going into the second half up by two goals. A fightback in the third quarter by Brigades had the visiting supporters up and about as the Hawks looked to mount a comeback. Ronan came though with an important goal in the third as the Hawks gained momentum. A three-goal to two third quarter had Brigades in the box seat as the visitors looked to storm home in the final term, only down by seven points. Chapman Valley, however, bounced back and held off a charging Brigades outfit to claim victory by 18 points, 10.7 (67) to 7.7 (49). Railways snatched victory late in the last quarter as Northampton put up the toughest challenge the Blues had faced this season, with only four points separating the teams at the final siren in Kalbarri. Callum Teakle impressed in the ruck for Northampton, earning himself best-on-ground honours along with teammates Tyler Caddy, Kingsley Smith, Blake Luxton and Jaden Poletti. For the Blues, half-back Drew Tunbridge claimed best-on-ground honours while Matt Kimberley, in his 150th game, shone brightly once again. Chris Scott and Seth Farmer booted two goals apiece for the Blues in the low-scoring affair. It was a tight first half as both sides went goal for goal, with the Rams edging ahead by a goal going into the main break. Railways clawed their way back into the contest in the third term, setting the stage for a last-quarter showdown. Northampton jumped out of the blocks with a goal before Railways replied with one of their own. The Rams managed two more majors in the final term before Railways locked it in their forward 50 with Rams' defenders scrambling. A goal late through Blues' Damien King put Railways in front, securing a four-point win for the Blues, who remain undefeated this season. The final score was Northampton 7.7 (49) to Railways 7.11 (53). The final game of the round saw Rovers host Towns, with the traveling Bulldogs managing to bounce back after last week's thumping at the hands of Railways to secure a 70-point win over the Demons. Clay Azevedo, Matt Russell, Thomas Collins, Blake Tazewell and Farren Parfitt were judged best-on-ground at Greenough Oval for Rovers with Kevin Seelander and Farren Parfit booting two goals each. For Towns it was Zane Marwick who was judged best-on-ground with Drew Forrester, Jaylen Parsons, Bobby Gibson and Caleb Sewell all impressing in the Bulldogs' win away from home. The final score was Rovers 6.5 (41) to Towns 17.9 (111). AROUND THE GROUNDS Women Chapman Valley def. Brigades: 14.15 (99) to 0.0 (0) Railways def. Northampton,: 8.6 (54) to 6.2 (38) Towns def. Rovers: 11.8 (74) to 0.0 (0) Reserves Railways def. Northampton: 71 to 31 Towns def. Rovers: 17.10 (112) to 3.0 (18) Chapman Valley def. Brigades: 10..3 (63) to 2.2 (14) Colts Railways def. Northampton: 8.7 (55) to 3.6 (24) Towns def. Rovers: 8.10 (58) to 4.1 (25) Brigades def. Chapman Valley: 17.19 (121) to 2.7 (19) Bye: Mullewa
West Australian
29-05-2025
- West Australian
GNFL round six preview: Royals host Hawks while Northampton and Railways head to Kalbarri
Chapman Valley will look to put the hammer down when they host Brigades at Mazzuchelli Oval on Saturday in what is shaping up to be match of the round in the GNFL. It will be a battle out of the middle between the Royals and the Hawks in what could be wet weather footy out at the Valley. The Royals' last home game was a loss at the hands of Railways, in which the Blues ran over the top of Chapman Valley early in the third quarter. The reigning premiers will be looking to re-establish their home ground as a fortress this weekend. The last time the two met was in round two in both clubs' first game of the season. That time Chapman Valley won by 51 points at the Hawks' back yard at GBSC Sports Park, with the Royals' Kane Kimpson kicking a five-goal bag. Simpson has failed to play a game since then due to a knee injury. It is unclear when he will return. The Royals' midfield group were firing on all cylinders in the round two win, led by captain Ringo McKenna and Kim Schofield. Brigades will be looking for a big game from their ruckman Hayden Johnson who is coming off a commanding game against Rovers last weekend. The mids and forward line of Brigades had a day out last round with Alby Dean booting six goals, Dylan Ralph four and Hassan Ahmat-Watkins three. Chapman Valley pose a bigger challenge as the reigning premiers, along with Railways, are benchmark of the competition. Travelling to Kalbarri for round six are Railways and Northampton as the Blues look to continue their winning start to season 2025. Railways' coach John Reynolds said the plan for the season so far has gone to plan nicely. 'We've put ourselves together a bit of a plan and broken it into three or four phases throughout the year,' he said. 'Our phase one is done at the moment, and we achieved what we needed to, but we've got to get through the next lot unscathed as well and keep the momentum going.' Reynolds expected a lively Northampton outfit, meaning his team would need to be switched on from the first quarter. Northampton's coach Jeremy Heberle said despite their loss last weekend to Mullewa, the squad was coming together and improving game after game. 'Last week, we should have really won, but that wasn't the case,' he said. 'We just made some fundamental errors and at the wrong times. 'I think our boys are definitely hitting the right way mentally, as well as on the ground. 'We came together as a group and this week has been good we are moving in the right direction.' Heberle said the squad was excited to play in Kalbarri and put on a great show for the locals. 'The facilities up there are good enough to play football on, so they probably should be utilised more often,' he said. 'The boys are keen to make a weekend of it and have a real crack at one of the top contenders in Railways this weekend.'
