GNFL 2023 season in review: Success, struggles or somewhere in between for local clubs

Almost a month after the Great Northern Football League wrapped up in thrilling fashion, we thought it time to look back on how clubs performed in 2023 and where they can improve looking ahead to the 2024 season. NORTHAMPTON: 19-YEAR DROUGHT BROKEN The football factory out of Northampton finally broke their premiership drought this year and although they might not have been the top team all year, they showed up when it mattered most. The Rams had been one of the most consistent teams in the league throughout the season, suffering only two losses that came in the midway point, and after a round-nine loss against Brigades, all they did was win. Finals is where Northampton played some of their best around the ground footy all season, having full control in the preliminary final and they managed to hold on in the grand final in extra time. The team looks primed for success going into next year with a stacked roster. Flynn Dillon had a historic season, co-winning the JJ Clune with just seven games under his belt. His shortened season was already impressive, but he then came back and won the Geraldton Guardian medal for best on ground in the grand final, so you can only imagine what he could do with a full season next year. Along with having the Clune’s winner, Northampton players occupied three of the top eight vote-getters. Captain Braden Jupp had a stellar season and could have made an argument that he deserved BOG in the grand final, while Harry Taylor led the league in goal kicking by a wide margin. The roles that Taylor and fellow AFL champ Josh Kennedy, who played three games for the Rams this season including their two finals, play for the Rams next year remains to be seen. RAILWAYS: REVENGE SEASON INCOMING Railways came painfully close to winning it all, but it was still a season to remember for the club. Their home-and-away season took a step back from last year, finishing third after winning the minor premiership in 2022, and the side went 0-4 against the top two teams on the ladder. However, in his first year at the helm as coach, John Reynolds took over a team that had previously gone 5-15 in finals, and pushed them into the big dance. Their run in finals started with a win against reigning premier Rovers followed by facing the Hawks, who had arguably been the best all season in the preliminary, and walking away with a seven-point victory. The Blues lost young gun Jack Cocking to the WAFL, but had a breakout season from Ryan Le Tessier, who led the team with 28 goals this season in a forward line that featured the likes of Clune runner-up Jesse Adamini and Dion Anthony. While they nearly overcame their finals curse, Railways will be out for blood next year after the scoreboard drama which sent this year’s grand final into extra time. BRIGADES: FROM DOMINANCE TO DISAPPOINTMENT Brigades had a target on their back all season, widely considered to be the strongest side, only to go out in straight sets in the finals. The Hawks finished as minor premiers, ending the home-and-away season with an 11-1 record and boasting a winning percentage of 327.22 per cent, the second highest recorded in GNFL history. After being upset in last year’s grand final, Brigades displayed pure dominance all season, but suffered consecutive losses for the first time in over a year in the finals. The Schofield brothers dominated once again, with Kim winning his second JJ Clune medal while Jayden won the club’s best-and-fairest award. Kristerfer Ryder backed up last season’s performance with 34 goals this year, which was second in the league, and Dale Williamson managed to find the goals like usual. But the side welcomed much-needed scoring from other avenues, with the likes of Jamie Ryder, Jack Perham and Kaiden Dann all hitting the scoreboard. While it is hard to improve on the regular season the Hawks had, the team will need to overcome their finals struggles going into next year if they want to reclaim their 2021 glory. ROVERS: SOLID TITLE DEFENCE The Demons started their season slow, showing signs of a premiership hangover. However, the reigning premiers started to pick up steam late, stealing a spot in the finals and it was showing shades of 2022, but lightning did not strike twice as they fell in the elimination final. After winning the JJ Clune last year, Chris Scott finished third in the vote with team mate Thomas Denton right behind him in his return season. The team lost heavy-hitters in the off-season in the likes of Joseph Ugle, Gabriel Parfitt and Dwayne Nevill. However, the side welcomed the addition of Trent Simpson who provided help with scoring, Stuart Egan made an immediate impact and Denton came back into the Rovers side after not playing the previous year and won the club’s best-and-fairest award, and will only get better going into next year. In 2024, the side will be working their way back into finals if they can build a more consistent home-and-away season. CHAPMAN VALLEY: ON TO NEXT YEAR The Royals had high expectations going into this season but missed out on finals for a third straight year. A 2-2 start for Chapman Valley seemed like their season could go anywhere. Unfortunately, a mid-season slump put them out of the top four and Rovers eliminated them from the finals race in round 12. Ringo McKenna continued to be shining light for the Valley during a disappointing season, taking home the Sports Shed footballer of the year award. While the team had rough patches, there were other individuals who stood out. Tristan Jacques has cemented himself as one of the league’s top rucks and Jaye Colgate built on last season with 19 goals this year. The Royals’ depth has improved significantly, as their colts side managed to pick up two wins after have none in three years, while the reserves side made finals and were just three points off going to the prelim. TOWNS: COMPETITIVE LATE IN THE SEASON Towns had another season to forget, and for the second year in a row, the Bulldogs only managed to grab one win. After a rough start to the season with multiple 100-point losses, they got up over Mullewa in round eight and stayed competitive in every game they played after that. Both Rohan Fariss and Drew Forrester polled votes throughout the year in the JJ Clune despite only being part of one win. While the colts had been a bright spot for the team, they took a step back, but still have some players who could help the league side, including Mitchell Marsh who already stepped in for the seniors a few times this year. The Bulldogs need to capitalise on their late season competitiveness and turn that into wins. MULLEWA: BRIGHT FUTURE AHEAD The Saints started their season out with a win against Towns, but couldn’t pick up another after that. A slight regression from last year, but still a major improvement from going three years without a win. However, the club is trending upwards and heading in a great place, with their colts side winning the grand final after dominating all year, and their reserves side making it to the big dance as well. Young guns from the colts side Xavier Cotterill and Gregg Galby have already made a few appearances in the seniors this year, kicking two goals each. As the junior stars around Mullewa grow and develop, they will slot into the league side and could very well make an immediate impact on the team.