Glenn Barndon takes a plunge on Great Northern Football League flag decider

If form holds true, Rovers should wrap up the 2020 GNFL minor premiership in Saturday’s last qualifying round. Rovers and Railways are currently locked on 28 points, with Rovers boasting a superior percentage of 231.53 to Railways’ 216.86. Railways has a last-round bye while Rovers play Towns, a game they should win. But should they lose by several goals, Railways could pip them. Of course, minor premiership victories are pyrrhic if the winner fails to take the flag. No one remembers a minor premier if that team doesn’t win the grand final. In the 59 completed years in the GNFL, 32 teams have won the minor and major premiership double. However, if we ignore percentage and simply look at teams that topped the table, on their own or with other sides, 37 teams were first past the post and finished the job in the decider. Football commentator and GNFL life member Glenn Barndon favoured Rovers and Railways as grand final adversaries but doesn’t discount his team Chapman Valley, where he was president from 1987 to 1989. “Going on this season’s form and results, you would expect Rovers and Railways are first choices, but Chapman Valley with their best-possible side are more than capable,” Barndon said. “It is difficult to win from the first semi but this season is much shorter than normal so fatigue isn’t as big an issue . . . momentum will be very crucial, the more games in succession the better. I think it’s been great to have had a season after all the doubt and keep players and supporters linked to the clubs, very important for the build-up for 2021.” Another unknown is who will win the JJ Clune Medal, the GNFL’s highest individual honour. Barndon nominated three players. “Tom Denton from Rovers should poll well, as will Gus Devitt from Northampton and Towns’ Rohan Farris,” he said. FIXTURES Round 10Saturday: Chapman Valley v Mullewa at Nabawa, Towns v Rovers at Country Builders Stadium. (Radio Mama call game). Start: 2pm. Railways, Brigades and Northampton have byes.