Brigades confirm favourites tag with third win in a row as Rovers and Railways only play a half

There is no longer any doubt about it, Brigades are the front-runners for the GNWFL title as they held off Towns in a thriller at GBSC on Saturday. After finishing second-last in 2022 they have now taken down two top three teams from last year to sit on top of the ladder with their 2.8 (20) to 2.4 (16) victory over Towns. Towns were hoping to rebound from an upset loss to Railways the last round but the Hawks were flying high after taking down both the reigning premiers last week. It was a tight affair, with both sides managing just one behind in the opening quarter before Towns kicked the first goal in the second quarter to lead by four points at the half. It is the first time the Hawks have trailed at any point this season but it did not last for long as they utterly dominated the third quarter. Gemma Dix kicked two goals as Jessica Guidice-Nairn went big again in the midfield with support from Neveah Hill and Emilee Bevan. Had they kicked straight they could have killed the game but instead they left the door open kicking 2.4 for the quarter and 2.8 overall to lead 20-8 heading into the final quarter. The Bulldogs came close to charging through it as it was their turn to dominate the ball, holding the Hawks scoreless for the final term. Towns closed to within a kick but missed a couple opportunities to end up four points short as Brigades weathered the storm and claim their third straight win and perhaps already have one foot in finals. At Greenough, Railways claimed the points over Rovers after a lengthy injury delay saw the two sides complete just a half of football. Railways were leading 15-0 when the game was put on pause after Rovers player Alishia Perkusich went down awkwardly in a tackle from a Blues defender. She lay prone as an ambulance was called with concerns about potential back or spinal injury as trainers from both sides rushed to attend. An ambulance eventually arrived but the game was delayed for 45 minutes, meaning only a half of football could be completed. Upon resumption Tarnee Tester kicked two goals for the Blues as Rovers looked a touch more competitive able to generate some run and carry but as they got sucked up the ground to defend often didn’t have any options once they had the ball. In Mullewa, Northampton were given a scare by a spirited Saints outfit as they took a 6.3 (39) to 3.2 (20) victory. Goals to Cassandra and Kyehsa Comeagain and Bobbylee Merry kept the Saints interested but the Rams had too much class as they solidified their top four place.