GNFL round 8: Northampton clutch up in the final over Brigades while Towns debutant kicks six goals in win

The fourth quarter proved the difference once again as Northampton put up five goals in the final to run away with the 13.13 (91) to 9.7 (61) win over Brigades in round eight of the GNFL at the weekend. The Hawks opened with their highest scoring opening quarter this season, starting with the pair of Jamie and Kristerfer Ryder nabbing early scores. Blake Luxton and Josh Kennedy did well to respond but it wasn’t enough to answer as Brigades put up 6.2 in the first. Rams responded as they cut the margin to four points at the half and swinging it to a five-point lead at the end of the third quarter. Down to start the final quarter, Hawks’ captain Jordan O’Brien kicked an early goal to give Brigades the advantage. However, that would be the last goal the side managed as Northampton turned on the burners. An entry to Kennedy was spoiled by Nathan Svenson, but the ball bounced in favour of Harry Taylor who picked it up in front of goal and slotted a goal to put the Rams back ahead. Taylor wasn’t done as the ball spilled out in the Rams’ forward 50 and the former Geelong star put it on his left boot for a second straight goal. Late goals from Josh Normington, Kingsley Smith and a third from Taylor sealed the 30-point win for the Rams. The Think Mental Health best on ground award went to Luxton from the Rams. Northampton are building a habit of winning the game in the fourth, following their win over Towns last week where they outscored the Bulldogs 3.5 to 0.1 in the final for the win. A six-goal debut from colt Leon Jones Jr helped Towns knock off Railways at the Rec Ground and stay alive in the race for top four, getting up 15.4 (94) to 8.4 (52). Blues had the jump early, kicking three goals straight in the first quarter to hold a four-point lead heading into the second. The Bulldogs were able to turn it around, swinging the margin to 15-points in their favour heading into the main break. The son of Towns stalwart Leon Jones, who has clocked in 170 games for the Bulldogs, Jones Jr made an impact in his first game of league footy. Jones Jr slotted five goals in the first half and six overall to help propel Towns with their first win against a top four side. After the match, the Mental Health round best on ground award was awarded to ruckman Lachie Morphew from the Bulldogs. Despite the loss, the Blues still hold on to their spot in the top four on percentage, but another hiccup could see the 2023 runners-up fall outside the finals race. A horrific injury saw the match between Chapman Valley and Mullewa called off early in the third quarter. With the result all but decided, Mullewa’s Leedham Papertalk went down with a broken leg and needed to be carted off by an ambulance, leading for the game to called done with Royals taking the win 13.3 (81) to 1.2 (8). The Rams ladies got up over Brigades 6.7 (43) to 2.1 (13) and Chapman Valley dominated the Mullewa women’s side, with Lucinda Rouse slotting a massive 12 goal haul. In the two’s, Brigades enjoyed a comfortable 10.7 (67) to 3.2 (20) win over Northampton as they sit clear on top of the reserve’s ladder. Railways took care of Towns in the 6.8 (44) to 3.0 (18) contest, while Mullewa forfeited against Chapman Valley. The Saints colts got a win for the club, dominating the Royals 15.15 (105) to 6.4 (40), while Towns scrapped through an 8.3 (51) to 7.7 (49) win over Railways and Brigades got up 6.5 (41) to 4.9 (33) over Northampton.