Ryder brothers fire Brigades into GNFL grand final as Rovers’ blitz ends Northampton’s season

It was Ryder time at the Recreation Ground on Saturday with brothers Kristerfer and Jamie Ryder helping secure a convincing victory for Brigades against Railways in the GNFL second semifinal. The Hawks earned direct entry to the grand final and left Railways to regroup ahead of their second-chance preliminary final next weekend as Brigades ran out winners 10.5 (65) to the Blues 4.9 (33). Railways started strongly, putting the first point on the board seconds after the whistle but fell away shortly after that. Brigades got the first major through Dale Williamson as the Blues struggled to put attacking plays together in the first quarter. The Ryder brothers were deadly up forward, both kicking a major to help the Hawks to a 19-point lead into the first break. Kristerfer Ryder was again instrumental in extending Brigades’ lead early in the second quarter. Railways tried to get back in it with a fine goal from Jesse Adamini, kicking from midfield to get the Blues’ first goal of the afternoon. Ben O’Brien then butchered a golden opportunity, kicking straight in front of goal but missing the posts completely. But the Blues were at least starting to get stuck into the game as Ryan Le Tessier got his first to reduce the margin to inside two goals. The game was still up for grabs but Hawks had the advantage, taking a 10-point lead over the Blues 4.3 (27) to 2.5 (17). The second half saw Brigades again in early control with a well-taken goal from Jamie Ryder, followed by his brother as they continued to terrorise the Blues defence. The Blues really struggled as time went on to contain the Ryder brothers who were relentless with their attacking plays. However, Shaedan Edwards kept the Blues in the game with a long-range goal from 60m out. But high-flying Kristerfer Ryder took a glorious mark inside the goal square at the 17-minute mark, superbly delivered by Jayden O’Brien to score his fourth to keep the Blues at arm’s length. Ben O’Brien then extended the margin with a lovely piece of play, scoring out of the pack with a cheeky chip. Kristerfer Ryder went from strength to strength, capping a fine third quarter with a shirtless celebration after coming out of a pack of players to score his fifth of the afternoon. Mitchell Boyle did his best to give his side some hope but they were facing a mountain in the last quarter trailing by 27-points at the final break. A scrappy final quarter saw Drew MacGregor put the icing on the Hawks’ victory, scoring his first and ending Railways’ chances of a direct route to the grand final. Kyle Watts ended the match being carried off with a guard of honour from both teams after playing his 250th game but it was not the result he or the Blues would have wanted. Kristerfer Ryder ended with six goals and along with Jamie were simply too good for the Blues’ defensive players in a fantastic victory with the only concern being Dale Williamson being left on the bench for the second half though coach Corey Foot suggested there was no injury. The result sees Brigades going straight through to the grand final with Railways set to play Rovers in the preliminary final after the Demons mounted a stunning final quarter assault to end Northampton’s season. The game at Greenough was bookended by two periods of utter dominance as the Rovers live to fight another week after a 16.10 (106) to 9.10 (64) victory. But the 42-point margin was not reflective of how close the contest was for much of the afternoon. There was no doubt the Rovers started better as they kicked the opening four goals in eight minutes as the Rams looked shocked early. Gabriel Parfitt was everywhere while Clay Azevedo had a hot start kicking a goal and missing another while Edward Curley’s snap from tight on the boundary while falling away was a magnificent goal. The Rams, who had Harry Taylor back in the line up, couldn’t get any runs going but they got a helping hand from Rovers whose ill-discipline gave away a number of 50m penalties to allow for some easy goals. Nathaniel Mourambine got his first and the Rams went in only 10 points down at the break having fought back well. The game was an arm wrestle for the next two quarters but the Rams were just that bit cleaner as they edged ahead at half-time kicking three goals to one. Rovers grabbed the lead back in the third and led by a single goal into the final quarter with the game and the two teams’ seasons well in the balance. But Rovers coach Ian Comben must have given one of the great speeches because the Demons were unstoppable in the last. Shannon Cox had four final-term goals as he ripped the game apart as the Rovers kicked eight goals to two and the Rams were overrun. In earlier games, the colts game saw Towns through to the grand final with a score of 8.2 (50) against Rovers’ 7.5 (47). In the reserves, Railways went through 9.8 (62) to Northampton’s 3.2 (20).