Railways win big against Chapman Valley in GNFL, aim for strong finish to season

Railways held on to top spot in the Great Northern Football League on Saturday with a convincing win over Chapman Valley, with the Blues kicking 23.18 (156) and restricting the Royals to four majors, for a final score of 4.5 (29).

Blues coach Karl Pirrottina said he was happy with the scoreline but warned the top two and the minor premiership are wide open with four more rounds to go before finals, and said the side were “looking forward to three big weeks”.

“It was a pleasing result,” Pirrottina said. “I’m pretty happy with how the boys played.

“We’re taking it game by game and we need to make sure we keep on winning, we’re confident what we’re doing is good enough.

“We’ve got to make sure we rock up on the day make sure we do what we can.

“The good thing about is there’s a top four and anyone from the top four can make it.”

He said Jesse Adamini, Mitchell Boyle, Drew Tunbridge, Ben Saunders and Matthew Kimberley had stood out on the day but the side had a “good mix spread across the ground. “It’s been mimicking what’s happening at training, and there’s a good energy,” he said.

Elliott Delaney kicked seven goals, Adamini got five, Stuart Egan and Jack Cocking each scored three, and Deon Drage had two, while Saunders, Jaigah Williams and James Huggins had one each. Adamini and Boyle were Railways’ best. For the Valley, Mitchell McAuliffe, Glen Prosser, Tom Walker, and Johny Narkle each kicked a major for a side featuring East Fremantle player Richie Bartlett. Owen Metcalfe and Lee Hutchins were their best.

Railways have a tough fixture next round against third-placed Northampton and then face reigning back-to-back premiers Rovers before a bye and then a final round matchup against Brigades.

Northampton beat Mullewa 30.17 (197) to 8.4 (52) on Saturday, while Brigades beat Towns 29.21 (195) to 1.1 (7).

Rovers had a bye.