GNFL Round 4: Towns come from behind to claim first win of the season against Mullewa

Mullewa and Towns went into their round four clash at WA Country Builders Stadium looking for their first win of the season and after a hard-fought battle the Bulldogs emerged victorious with a seven-point win, 14.7 (91) to 13.6 (84).

But either team could have taken the points on Saturday, in what was arguably the most entertaining game of the season so far, with both sides showing skillful moments that belied their lowly league standing.

Both Towns and Mullewa came into the game missing players through injury and COVID and started in a cautious manner.

Callum Papertalk got the first goal for Mullewa after several probes into the forward 50. Towns responded within minutes with a measured goal from Brett Byron, playing his first season for Towns after travelling down from Carnarvon.

Mullewa scored an important goal on the quarter-time siren, narrowing the gap into the first break 3.3 (21) to Towns 4.0 (24). Both Byron and Stuart Egan shone for the Bulldogs early in the game.

The Saints had the best play leading up to half-time, adding four goals in quick succession compared to Towns’ two.

Clint Bolton and Morris Comeagain ensured Mullewa went into the break fighting, both with their second goals of the afternoon, leading Towns 8.3 (51) to 6.5 (41).

Shane Johnson scored early in the third quarter to reduce the deficit for Towns, but then young Leon Galby added his second for the Saints to keep the pressure on the Bulldogs.

Mullewa grew in confidence as the game progressed, but neither side looked like they could romp ahead.

The Saints started the final quarter energised, leading 10.5 (65) to 9.5 (59).

Towns were never out of the game, with Caleb Mourish showing that the Bulldogs might have been chasing their rivals but were never out of contention.

Rohan Farris and Jack Osman delivered a moment of genius in the closing minutes to draw the scores level. The excitement level did not dip for a second in the final quarter.

Byron slotted what was nearly the final kick of the game through the centre of the goals, giving victory to the Bulldogs. It capped off a phenomenal personal contribution to his new team.

Towns coach Dale Baynes was full of praise for his team.

“Stuart Gaby, Will Faithfull were both very good, Brett Byron is a very good footy player and a great bloke,” he said.

Baynes was grateful that Byron was willing to travel from Carnarvon every match.

He said it was a relief to get their first win of the season but Mullewa “made us work very hard for it”.

Both sides are showing improvement from the 2021 season.

The Saints showed tenacity and goal scoring ability across the park, with Callum Papertalk, Leon Galby and Clint Bolton all kicking three apiece. Morris Comeagain capped off a solid performance with two goals.

Towns’ Shane Johnson kicked four and Brett Byron kicked three, with singles coming from all around the ground.

Earlier in the day, the colts game saw Towns win on a forfeit, with Mullewa taking the reserves honours 8.14 (62) to Towns 3.2 (20).