GNFL round four wrap: Brigades and Railways headline game of the round while Mullewa break losing streak

Round four of the GNFL included a major upset that saw Mullewa break a 750-day winless streak and a tight tussle between Brigades and Railways.

Touted as game of the round, the battle at GBSC Sports Park was an arm wrestle between the Hawks and Blues on Saturday, before the Blues ran away with it in the last quarter. However, that match was arguably overshadowed by Mullewa’s shock 10-point win over Towns at Wonthella Oval.

The contest between Brigades and Railways marked a special occasion for two individuals with Brigades captain Mick Quick chalking up his 100th league game and umpire Steve Pratt officiating his 300th.

Quick ticked off the 100-game milestone after debuting in 2011. It has been a long journey for Quick with a stint in the Army and a knee reconstruction along the way, as well as issues with concussion.

Pratt’s milestone was reached when he umpired the match between Brigades and Railways. Widely known in the football community for his communication skills with players and consistency week in week out, Pratt is a well-respected character in the GNFL.

It was the battle out of the midfield that got the fans excited with last year’s JJ Clune medallist Hayden Johnson rucking against Railways’ Flynn Dillon. The pair went to war all day with neither looking to give an inch.

Railways’ captain Jesse Adamini led front the front yet again with an impressive four-goal bag while vice-captain Elliot Delaney booted two.

Among the best on ground for Brigades were Izac Ronan, Joel Pattrick, Dylan Ralph, Quick and Klay Sipila while for Railways it was Matthew Kimberley, Dillon, Adamini, Drew Tunbridge and Darcy Rowe.

The first half was a deadlock, with neither team able to draw away to much of a margin in between the breaks. Brigades drew first blood in the first term through Daniel Leach before Railways bounced back in the second quarter kicking three goals.

After the third there were only four points in it in a low-scoring affair, with the scoreboard reading, Brigades 3.9 (27) to Railways 3.5 (23).

However, an onslaught in the final term from Railways saw the Blues run away with it with a seven-goal term, kicking to the northern end of the ground and winning by 35 points. The final scores were Railways 10.9 (69) to Brigades’ 4.10 (34).

Also on Saturday, a massive upset unfolded at WA Country Builders Stadium with Towns going down at home to Mullewa. Prior to the weekend, the Saints had not had a win since round one in 2023, a 42-point victory over Towns.

It means the Saints went 750 days between wins, in a victory the club will hope is the first of many going forward. In a much-needed boost for the Saints, Mullewa got the four points, 9.12 (66) to Towns 8.8 (56).

In the other league game of round four, Rovers hosted Chapman Valley at Greenough Oval, with the Royals running over the top of the Demons in a 94-point win, bouncing back after their loss at home to Railways.

The final scores were Rovers 2.5 (17) to Chapman Valley 16.15 (111).

AROUND THE GROUNDS

WOMEN

Chapman Valley def. Rovers: 19.13 (127) to 0.1 (1)

Brigades def. Railways: 4.5 (29) to 2.3 (15)

BYE: Towns and Northampton

RESERVES

Chapman Valley def. Rovers: 8.11 (59) to 0.2 (2)

Railways def. Brigades: 9.9 (63) to 5.6 (36)

Towns def. Mullewa: 14.8 (92) to 2.5 (17)

BYE: Northampton

COLTS

Rovers def. Chapman Valley: 13.6 (84) to 6.5 (41)

Railways def. Brigades: 11.5 (71) to 4.1 (25)

Mullewa def. Towns: 9.13 (67) to 4.2 (26)

BYE: Northampton