Royal thrashing keeps finals hopes alive for Chapman Valley while Brigades down Mullewa

After a slow start to the season, Chapman Valley is in hot form in the run home and closing the gap on the top four, after thrashing Rovers by more than 10 goals. The Valley’s big win has now created a log-jam for the last two finals places between three teams with five rounds to go. The Royals welcomed Ian Comben’s Rovers to Mazzuchelli Oval on a bright but chilly Saturday afternoon. Both teams were coming off victories in round 11, the Royals with a win over Railways, and Rovers handing Northampton a big loss on their home turf. It was Chapman Valley, without round 11 cameos from ex-AFL stars Matt Priddis and Lewis Jetta this time, that took the spoils in a hard-fought and spirited match 17.11 (113) to Rovers 7.6 (48). Rovers made several forced changes from their last game due to injury, COVID and returning players with several players doubling up from the reserves and colts games. Kingsley Dawson managed to get Rovers off to a flying start on with a well placed goal from 40m on a tight angle before Godfrey Curley added a second with a goal from 50m. James O’ Sullivan ensured the Royals stayed in the game early on with his first goal on 13 minutes, a well-placed effort taken from distance. Tom Walker with a moment of genius punted a 50m pass straight to Rhys Eversden, who practically ran the rest of the distance to score Chapman Valley’s second, taking the Royals into the lead. Clay Azevedo, fresh off kicking 10 goals in the reserves match, put Rovers back in front less than two minutes later, 3.0 (18) to the Royals 2.4 (16). That was as good as it got for the Demons however as Chapman Valley pulled ahead with Jaye Colegate getting the Royals third before Jay O’Brien extended their lead after a scrappy 15 minutes of play, both sides showing a lot of passion in the middle of the oval. Curley brought Rovers back into the game at the 16-minute mark however they were already showing tiredness and frustration in the ruck. This bubbled over when midfield star Gabriel Parfitt received a yellow card for a melee off the ball and Christopher Scott was himself lucky to not be sent off after multiple remonstrations with both players and umpires. The half finished with Chapman Valley in a convincing lead 7.4 (46) to the Demons 2.2 (26). The second half saw the Royals well in control, Rhys Eversden getting his second with Michael McConnell, returning from injury, extending the Royals’ lead even further with a huge kick 60m out from goal. Curley tried his hardest to get Rovers back into it and Parfitt managed to get the Demons a much-needed goal 10 minutes into the session, but the Royals were relentless in attack. The Royals were full of running and had an answer for everything Rovers threw at them and the third quarter finished with the Royals in fine form 13.6 (84) to 6.4 (40). The final term saw the Royals push even further ahead, scoring from across the park as Rovers had nothing left in the tank to respond to the onslaught. It was a well-deserved win for the dogged and skilful Royals side who keep their season alive as Rovers’ depleted side showed a lack of depth and tenacity. Chapman Valley had nine goal scorers, showing their strength in depth, with Rhys Eversden leading the way with four, Lee Hutchins with three, ruckman Michael McConnell, Jay Colegate and James O’Sullivan with two and singles across the team. Rovers’ Curley kicked three goals with singles coming from Dawson, Scott, Azevedo and Parfitt. Chapman Valley now goes level with Northampton in fourth place but the Rams have a superior percentage. Rovers remain third on 24 points but are closely followed by Northampton and Chapman Valley on 20 points. Out at GBSC the Brigades were always in control against Mullewa, led by a standout performance from evergreen forward Dale Williamson who bagged seven to retake top spot as the leading goal kicker in the league. At Railways, only inaccuracy stopped a blowout as they beat Towns 44 to 4. Next round sees the Royals at home again, this time welcoming Brigades to Mazzuchelli Oval while Rovers play host to an in-form Railways side with both sides still aiming for a top four finish.