Great Northern Football League: Northampton’s Nathaniel Mourambine boots eight goals and says he can still improve

While he worries the prospects of making the GNFL finals are slipping, Northampton forward Nathaniel Mourambine can still light up a game. The Rams are 0-3, and with only eight qualifiers, that’s not good, but with a two-point loss to Railways, a 13-point loss to Chapman Valley and an eight-point defeat to Brigades, they could so easily be in the four. The Brigades game last week featured a wonderful comeback, with Mourambine on song as he landed eight of his team’s nine goals. But the Rams couldn’t seal the deal. “It’s always disappointing to lose and yes, there is a lack of fitness,” Mourambine said. “We’re not out of it yet. “Anything can happen — well, hopefully.” The 25-year-old is remarkable. He is so strong he not only fends off defenders, he often sends them sprawling to the ground, and he’s one of the league’s best finishers. “I’d like to think I’m playing all right, though I reckon I could be a lot better,” he said. “I think I have a few more years of football in me yet to achieve some goals.” He now has 192 goals and last week’s haul placed him in the Rams’ top 10, a list headed by Malcolm Gould (484), Alan Fairley (320) and Hayden Teakle (298). He played for Rovers and Towns when he first broke through, and his career tally is 246. He topped the GNFL charts last year with 55 goals, the first from the club to do so since Michael Mallard in 1993. Only two other Rams men — Letham Burns (1965) and Paul Arnold (1969), have done the same. In last week’s statistical highlights, Brigades’ 68 points was their fourth-lowest winning tally against Norths, while Rovers have now won seven straight against Towns. Rovers’ 165 points was their fourth-best against Towns. Their 141-point winning margin was their second-highest against Towns, and Gabriel Parfitt kicked his 50th goal. Mullewa’s 29 points was the Saints’ third-lowest against the Valley. Radio MAMA will broadcast the match between Towns and Railways at WA Country Builders Stadium this round.