Rovers send warning to the rest of the comp while Railways still unknown force

GNFL Talking Points

The Giant Wakes

The Rovers always had more than enough talent on their list but after a worrying start, with no wins for any side through the opening rounds, a shortened season did not leave them much time to get going. But now with two wins on the board, including taking down the previously unbeaten Rams, the Rovers are right back in the hunt heading into the bye and the new-look team is starting to hum nicely. If they continue to improve on the trajectory they’ve shown in recent weeks they could be favourites come the Country Week bye in July and, as we know from last year, the Demons know how to time their run.

Where to for Mullewa

After breaking their three-year winless drought last season the Saints, while still a long way off top four, looked to at least be building towards something. But they have now lost three of their past four by more than 140 points, with only an inaccurate Rams who went 12.23 against them preventing it from being four straight pastings. While they beat Towns in round one, the Bulldogs right now look a better team and their youngsters have shown plenty of fight the last couple rounds. The Saints are going backwards from last year and with off-field issues continuing, the club seems to be at a crossroads to find a way back.

Railways the great unknown

At almost the halfway mark of the season, most teams have a decent idea of where they sit but the Blues are firmly under the radar so far thanks to some odd scheduling. They’ve had both their byes before the first break and while they were impressive against the Rovers, massive wins over Towns and Mullewa is hard to read into such is their struggles this year. But you can only beat those in front of you and they sit second on the ladder with the best percentage in the league, even if they’ve done it to little fanfare outside of the club so far. Games against the Hawks and Rams will provide a better gauge of where they sit.

Leading Goal Kickers

Men

Kristerfer Ryder 15, Dion Anthony 13, Harry Taylor 12, Trent Simpson 9, Kaiden Dann 9,

Women

Gemma Dix 7, Ashleigh Jones 6, Sabre Oswald 5, Breeanna Hamlett 5

Results

Reserves

Brigades 9.5 (59) def Mullewa 7.4 (46)

Chapman Valley 9.7 (61) def Towns 5.2 (32)

Rovers 7.10 (52) def Northampton 5.9 (39)

Colts

Mullewa 11.13 (79) def Brigades 6.8 (44)

Chapman Valley 9.8 (62) def Towns 7.3 (45)

Northampton 20.10 (130) def Rovers 4.2 (26)