Rovers get the Blues as Mitchell Boyle and Henry Anderson lead Railways to thumping victory

Railways have suffered from key injuries, a bad draw and just some downright poor form, but they looked to have turned a corner as they dominated Rovers on Saturday.

Just four points separated the two sides but the gap looked far larger on Saturday as the Blues ran out 10.9 (69) to 4.8 (32) winners.

It was an important game for both sides in an effort to secure a home final and finals in general with Chapman Valley still a chance to make a late charge.

The opening bounce quickly turned into a maul with both sides piling on the tackles but it was at the right end of the ground for Rovers as Clay Azevedo won a free kick from a high tackle but missed his shot.

It would be the only time Rovers would lead all afternoon as the Blues kicked the next three in a row.

Without Stuart Egan Rovers struggled to move the ball out of defence committing multiple turnovers at half back as Henry Anderson opened the Blues account.

It was a sign of things to come as Anderson played perhaps his best game of the season and was everywhere early while Mitchell Boyle kicked his first in what would turn out to be an influential afternoon.

The second quarter saw both sides struggle with their forward 50 entries though Azevedo would finally get a major for Rovers 12 minutes into the second half.

There was drama shortly after as Tom Denton was sent off with a red card after arguing over a ball that was touched but was unsighted by the umpire which also cost his team a goal from the 50m penalty.

To compound Rovers woes Chris Scott was struggling with a side strain as the Blues finally kicked away in the third quarter as Boyle got two more including a lovely snap around the body.

The only sour note for the Blues was a knee injury to Jordan Williamson who was crunched in a tackle in the fourth quarter.

But the Blues, led by Anderson and Boyle, were far too strong on the day and with the likes of Dion Anthony and Jesse Adamini still to return they will hope to get on a roll into finals.

It wasn’t all doom and gloom for Rovers as Beau Simpson put another herculean effort down back with multiple intercept marks and almost single-handily prevented a blowout.

Blake Tazewell was good in the ruck and Azevedo started strong and should have had more than one goal but was inaccurate.

But it is another loss, with the Demons just four points ahead of Chapman Valley who they will meet in two weeks’ time it what could become a virtual elimination final.

In the other Saturday game, an inaccurate Brigades got the win against Mullewa 15.17 (107) to 4.9 (33).

Kim and Jayden Schofield continued their hot form while Kristerfer Ryder now leads the goal kicking charts after five goals.

However, not for the first time this season, the Hawks left a few points on the park with the nadir being 2.8 in the second quarter in their worst shooting performance this season.