GNFL round 11 wrap: Towns deliver upset of the year, handing Railways their first loss in season 2025

Towns delivered the upset of the year against ladder leaders Railways at home on Saturday in round 11 of the GNFL, in a horrid day for the Blues in front of goals. Bulldogs’ Jaylen Parsons made the most of his chances with a five-goal bag at WA Country Builders Stadium. While for Railways it was the opposite — chalking up 20 behinds for the day in their first loss of the season. The Blues had scored 14 behinds before they posted their first major near the end of the third quarter. Leon Jones Jr was a stand-out for the Dogs off the half-back line and was awarded best on ground for Towns. Callum Marquis and Zane Marwick in the midfield also impressed, driving multiple forward-50 entries. In what was a day to forget for Railways, Kieran Kavanagh did his best for his side and was among their best players. Kavanagh had one goal to his name along with teammates Chris Scott, Mathew Moore and Riley Evans. Towns got off to a quick start with the opening goal of the day through Parsons after two missed opportunities for Railways. The Blues went on to finish that term with five behinds. The start of the second term saw the Blues holding the ball in their forward half but were unable to covert as Towns made the most of their opportunities inside 50. The Blues were searching for a lead inside their forward 50 only to be cut off by Marquis who sparked end-to-end football, leading to Parsons’ second goal as he ran into an open forward line for the Dogs. At the close of the first half, Railways were still to score a major with nine behinds as Towns strolled into the rooms up by 31 points. The Blues got their first major in the 22nd minute of the third term. The Blues went on to secure another major before the end of the third stanza, going into the last break down by 26 points. But Towns picked up where they left off, drawing first blood in the final quarter while Railways struggled to stem the bleeding in their defensive 50. The Blues clawed back two goals in the final term but the damage had been done as the Dogs ran away with the biggest upset of the 2025 GNFL season, 10.5 (65) to Railways 4.20 (44). Railways are still two games clear on top of the ladder — with second-placed Chapman Valley playing one less game — while Towns are a game clear from Brigades in third. There is a league-wide bye this weekend as country week football is taking place. Round 12 of the GNFL resumes on Saturday, July 19 when Towns face Mullewa and Railways will be looking to bounce back against Brigades. AROUND THE GROUNDS League Brigades def. Rovers: 26.15 (171) to 5.3 (33) Northampton def. Mullewa: 14.11 (95) to 9.7 (61) Towns def. Railways: 10.5 (65) to 4.20 (44) BYE: Chapman Valley Women Brigades def. Rovers: 4.5 (29) to 0.2 (2) Towns def. Railways: 13.13 (91) to 0.0 (0) BYE: Chapman Valley and Northampton Reserves Brigades def. Rovers: 15.10 (100) to 1.6 (12) Towns def. Railways: 6.6 (42) to 1.6 (12) Mullewa def. Northampton: 8.5 (53) to 6.4 (40) BYE: Chapman Valley Colts Brigades def. Rovers: 10.17 (77) to 5.8 (38) Railways def. Towns: 9.12 (66) to 2.2 (14) Northampton def. Mullewa: 8.11 (59) to 7.4 (46) BYE: Chapman Valley