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GFL Gold Stars post big win on Nuich’s five goals, powerful second half

Neale HarveyKalgoorlie Miner
Indigenous All-Stars’ Albert Dean during the exhibition match against the GFL Gold Stars on Saturday.
Camera IconIndigenous All-Stars’ Albert Dean during the exhibition match against the GFL Gold Stars on Saturday. Credit: Amber Lilley/Kalgoorlie Miner

Jake Nuich’s brilliant form for Boulder in local ranks was carried over to Saturday’s special representative clash when his five goals lifted the GFL Gold Stars to a 32-point win, 13.9 (87) to 9.1 (55), over the Goldfields Indigenous Allstars.

The match at Sir Richard Moore Sports Centre was played after the WAFL clash between Subiaco and Swan Districts, with the Rob Hansen-coached Indigenous Allstars carrying a two-point lead into half-time.

Indigenous Allstars trump card Chris Yarran already had three goals against his name.

But with Nuich and Boulder teammate Brett Blair on song in the Gold Stars’ forward line, Merv Dellar’s team produced an eight-goal second half to run away with the win.

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Yarran also bagged five majors in a losing Allstars effort, but Brad Dick was the only other multiple goalkicker.

Gold Stars’ goals were shared among six players with Nuich and Blair (three goals) complemented by Kodee Lowe (two), Caleb Paparone, Judd Kelman and Nick Reghenzani.

The level of talent on display was first-class.

Gold Stars’ midfield, however, gradually took control and their forwards cashed in on cleaner delivery.

For players who made themselves available, it was a major commitment after also lining up in local round-five matches on Wednesday and Thursday nights.

Hansen was the driving force behind the clash, inspired by an annual challenge from 1988 to 1998 between the Kalgoorlie Aboriginal Allstars and Perth Aboriginal Allstars.

He had initially pushed for a similar challenge match to be played during the preseason, with a focus on mental health and suicide awareness.

COVID prevented that occurring, but the concept was revived once the GFL was given the green light to host the WAFL match.

Dellar will be at the helm of the GFL’s representative team at the annual country championships from July 8-10 in Perth.

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