GNFL Round 1: Northampton get grand final rematch win over Railways while new-look Towns impress

Northampton proved to be too good for Railways once again as they got up in the grand final rematch at Purcher-International Oval on Saturday.

The Rams’ late season form looks to have carried over in the 2024 season as they took down the Blues 9.12 (66) to 8.9 (57).

Railways came out fielding a different side than the one from their grand final loss, with players leaving or unavailable for the round one hit-out, including Henry Anderson, Mitchell Boyle, Ben Saunders, and Ryan Le Tessier.

While the Rams lost a few players, they enjoyed the inclusion of Dylan Ralph from Brigades.

Ralph immediately proved his worth, playing around the ground, and was one of Northampton’s best.

The Rams came out with the pair of Josh Kennedy and Harry Taylor up front, making for an intimidating forward line.

Railways came up early with the scores as Jordan Williamson slotted the first of the game and Railways grabbed a three-goal lead in the first term.

Kingsley Smith and Josh Kennedy both got on the scoreboard early in the second as Rams fought back into the game on their home turf.

A Trent Simpson goal put Northampton ahead as they went into the half-time break up nine points.

Kennedy had looks in the third but couldn’t finish the job, while in his first game for the Rams since 2022, Blake Luxton dribbled the ball along the ground for a goal after players scrambled to bring it up.

Damien King booted one in for the Blues as they struggled to get forward entries.

Railways started to get better looks later on and made it just a seven-point contest at the three-quarter-time break.

Blues captain Jesse Adamini had bursts of play that kept Railways alive, creating clearances out of the centre contest and bagging a goal late.

However, the ball lived in the Rams’ forward line late in the game, and Northampton held on for the nine-point win, denying Blues redemption from last year’s extra time grand final heartbreak.

In the other clash of the split first round, the new-look Towns made a statement, getting up 18.16 (124) to 9.4 (58) over Mullewa.

The Bulldogs reached the 100-point mark in a game for the first time since round 16 in the 2021 season.

In the thumping, Towns had a trio of players who kicked hat-tricks — James Simmons and new recruits William Thorne and Jaylen Parsons.

There was only one game played in the women’s competition in the opening round due to Railways’ women’s side pulling out of the season due to low numbers.

Towns lived up to their preseason hype with an 18.12 (120) to 0.0 (0) demolition of Mullewa.

While all the focus about the Bulldogs women was on their new recruits, it was long-time Towns player Ashleigh Jones who was the star, kicking a bag of six goals in the win.

Emilee Beven, Brooklyn Cullen, Gemma Dix and Miley Gould all nabbed two goals against the Saints.

In the reserves’ Railways beat Northampton 8.11 (59) to 4.5 (29), while Mullewa forfeited against Towns.

In colts, Mullewa thumped Towns 21.6 (132) to 3.5 (23), while the Rams beat the Blues 11.5 (71) to 8.5 (53).