GNFL Round 9 wrap: Northampton cause upset against Brigades to secure fourth place

Fourth-placed Northampton sprung a surprise ambush against second-placed Brigades, causing an upset at Purcher International Oval on Saturday. It had all the makings of an entertaining and competitive game of footy and it delivered. The Rams needed a win to ensure the gap between themselves and the top three did not widen and to get further ahead of the chasing pack, while Brigades wanted to keep pressure on top-placed Railways. Northampton came out the eventual winners, 11.6 (72) to the Brigades’ 9.7 (61) thanks to five goals from Nathanial Mourambine for the Rams. Jayce Price got the Rams off to a confident start, scoring with flair after 10 minutes, but not much separated the teams in the first quarter as both teams struggled to find their way through. The Brigades managed to use the breeze to their advantage, scoring twice despite some wayward shots and ensuring the Hawks led at the first break 2.3 (15) to 2.0 (12). A tight second term followed; Mourambine got his first of the afternoon with a well-taken kick from range, while Dale Williamson got two to keep Brigades in touch. The first half finished with the Rams back in front, 6.4 (40) to the Brigades’ 5.5 (35). With the game up for grabs in the third quarter, Mourambine kicked two goals to widen the gap and from there Rams never looked back. Northampton head coaches Grady Tomelty and Adam Price were pleased with their team’s efforts but were realistic about the season so far, saying “we are ecstatic about the win but we understand it’s only June and there is a long way to go”. Out at Mullewa, the Railways had no problems accounting for the Saints, running out dominant winners 17.15 (117) to 6.18 (54). Elliot Delaney starred with four goals with great support from Jesse Adamini, Mitchell Boyle, Nathan Poletti, Jaigah Williams and Riley Zimmermann. It was a low-scoring affair between the Towns and Chapman Valley as the inaccurate Royals overcame a 15-point deficit at half-time to run out the eventual winners 4.13 (37) to 4.3 (27). Round 10 sees the Brigades home to Towns, while Northampton travel to the Recreation Ground to take on the Railways on Saturday. Mullewa host the Rovers on Sunday and Chapman Valley has the bye.