GNFL round 4: U16’s Reid Foot kicks three in league debut as Hawks down Bulldogs, Cripps bag overwhelms Rovers

Brigades have gone back-to-back with impressive wins after they defeated Towns 14.4 (88) to 6.9 (45) at GBSC Sports Park on Saturday during Belt Up round. Coming off a round three win over the reigning premiers, the Hawks were humming but had a tall task with the new and improved Bulldogs side in round four of the Great Northern Football League. Trotting out mostly the same side, the match saw under-16s player and coach’s son Reid Foot make his league debut, with the young gun kicking the first goal of the game. The contest went in Towns favour early, but Brigades were able to work it down and find Foot who took a mark and went back for the shot, with the side getting around the debutant after he slotted it. Brigades got the ball down to their forward line quickly, but first year Towns player-coach Beau Walker got it out of danger and eventually Towns were able to pick up a goal halfway through the first. Jamie Ryder responded quickly for the Hawks, kicking a low goal to put Brigades back up. Brigades dominated the centre clearances in the first quarter, as the ball spilled out to their forward line again and found Foot on the run who slotted his second goal. Towns responded with another goal and slowed the game down before Brigades took possession and from end to end, finding the youngster Foot who kicked a third goal in his first quarter of league footy. Taking a 13-point lead into the second quarter, Hawks took shots on goal early, but inaccuracy kept the door open for the Bulldogs to come back. Walker was given a 50m penalty from the centre bounce and walked the ball down, kicking a goal at the end of the half, cutting the lead to 15-points. A dominant third quarter saw Hassan Ahmat-Watkins pile on three goals in a row, as Brigades outscored Towns five goals to one behind. The margin became too much in the fourth for the Bulldogs to come back from in the 43-point loss. A six-goal bag from Ahmat-Watkins earnt himself the Belt Up best on ground award, helped with three from Foot and two from Ryder. Walker slotted two goals in the loss while four others each contributed one major for Towns. Across town at Greenough Oval, Northampton redeemed their loss from last week with a 15.13 (103) to 5.4 (34) win against Rovers. It was a low scoring first half for both sides, with Rams going into the major break up 33-8 and outscoring the Demons four goals to three in the third quarter. The fourth quarter was when the game broke open for Northampton as they slotted seven goals while the home side managed just one as the Rams walked away with the 69-point win. Rams proved they can run up the score without Josh Kennedy, with Jack Cripps kicking a bag of six in his first game this season. Harry Taylor had a nice day out himself with five goals, while Justin Little kicked two. The Belt Up best on ground award went to Northampton captain Braden Jupp. At Mullewa Oval, the home side could not keep up in the second half as Railways got up 14.16 (100) to 9.4 (58) over the Saints. The contest looked competitive early, with Mullewa sitting within seven points at the end of the first and 11-points at the half-time break. A two-point third quarter from the Saints saw them fall behind while the Blues continued to score and run away with the win. Damien King kicked three goals to remain the league’s leading scorer, while the trio of Jesse Adamini, Clinton Harrington and Jesse Moore all kicked two goals for Railways. Mullewa’s scores came from Shane Bonney, Jason Colbung Jr, Morris Comeagain, Leon Galby, Tennesse Kickett, Jerome Little, Dwayne Ryder, Isiah Simpson and Michael Eric Wall all kicking one each. In the reserves, despite a slow start from Brigades, they got up 12.9 (81) to 2.3 (15) over Towns, Northampton took down Rovers 6.8 (44) and Railways remained unbeaten with an 8.11 (59) to 3.4 (22) win against Mullewa. The colts saw Brigades beat Towns 8.5 (53) to 2.5 (17), Northampton handled Rovers 15.11 (101) to 1.1 (7) while Mullewa got the win against Railways 15.14 (104) to 6.5 (41).