Form lines fickle as teams aim for finals

It's been one of the tightest GNFL seasons in recent memory. Here's a rundown of where each club is at mid-season.

BRIGADES

4th — 4 wins, 3 losses.

Rating: C

The Hawks have looked more akin to a yoyo than a football club this year. They have produced some impressive performances along with some disappointing ones.

They started the season very impressively and jumped to a 3-0 start, though forfeited a five-goal half-time lead against Railways, were thumped by an at-the-time winless Rovers and led all day against Mullewa last weekend before going down by two points.

They’ve lost three of their past four and, with the much improved Chapman Valley nipping at their heels for a final-four spot, will want wins on the board in the next few weeks to buy some breathing space.

One to watch: Shannon Broad

Had a quiet start to the year though his form is building. Can be influential in the Hawks forward line, but needs to lift in the second half of the season.

CHAPMAN VALLEY

5th — 4 wins, 3 losses.

Rating: B-

Perennial strugglers Chapman Valley have come along in leaps and bounds this season and have more than just earned respect from rivals.

The inclusion of Aaron Thomas as coach and resident full forward has worked wonders, but there’s also a red-haired midfielder collecting plenty of touches in Matt Ferguson.

The Royals have still only beaten one side above them - a strong come-from-behind win over Mullewa. But they have been humbled by Towns in round 2 and most recently, by the Hawks.

The Valley are rising, and their depth has gone from a toddler’s paddling pool to the envy of the competition; but they must now stand up and beat more sides above them to prove they can be a force come finals.

One to watch: Nathan Gray

Started brightly though hasn’t been as influential as many know he can be. The vice-captain is a class player and will lift in the second half of the season.

MULLEWA

1st — 5 wins, 2 losses

Rating: B

After a blip in the radar against Chapman Valley, the Saints have got back on track towards a tilt at their ninth league flag, highlighted with a come-from-behind win over the Hawks last weekend.

It’s a broken record saying this team is talented, but the simple fact is they need to kick goals and plenty of them to win games of football because they’re not going to stop the opposition from scoring with little defensive pressure.

The signs are promising though, with Josh Simpson declaring he will stay on board for the remainder of the season and the likes of Godfrey Curley and Kristian Papertalk still to capture their best form.

One to watch: Josh Simpson

The former Fremantle gun was all the rage in the pre-season, though has been far from outstanding for the Saints as a player of his quality can be. Bright spurts of form will hopefully be converted into big games for the Saints coach.

NORTHAMPTON

7th — 0 wins, 6 losses, 1 draw

Rating: D+

The win-loss column does not make for great reading for the Rams, and the young side need to produce their exciting best for longer periods.

Northampton have controlled many of the games they’ve played. They completely outplayed second-placed Railways to three-quarter-time to give them a five-goal lead which they squandered to draw the match.

The talent is there and so is youth, but the Rams must remain competitive for four quarters, as when they drop it’s with a thud and they are scored against quickly.

Brighter days are ahead and wins should come in the back half of the season, if they can sustain their pressure, because they have shown, for periods, they can easily match the top sides in the competition.

One to watch: Ethan Collard

While not being as dangerous as many know he can be in front of goals so far this season, he has improved the defensive side of his game markedly.

If Collard can get more of the footy in his hands inside 50, he will do plenty of damage on the scoreboard.

RAILWAYS

2nd — 4 wins, 1 loss, 1 draw

Rating: B+

The Blues have had a workmanlike start to their 2015 campaign, with four gritty wins, highlighted in captain Nathan Tubby’s 150th when they came back from 28 points down at half-time to beat the previously undefeated Hawks.

A last-quarter comeback to have a shot at winning against Northampton also speaks volumes of a side that seem to just find a way to come back, and have a never-say-die attitude.

Their best football is ahead of them yet, and everyone inside their camp will know it. If they can hit their straps they will be genuine contenders.

One to watch: Matt Clarke

The big-leaping forward has had an injury-cruelled start to the season, though when he’s on he is hard to stop and offers the Blues plenty inside the forward 50. He is expected to return after the bye and will have a big role to play for the remainder of the season.

ROVERS

6th — 2 wins, 5 losses

Rating: C

Anyone who has only watched Rovers play for the past three weeks would swear they should be sitting higher on the ladder.

Dave Fiorenza is doing a tremendous job with his side, particularly given the tough start they had to the year, and has arguably the most potent midfield in the competition.

If their consistency can continue they will push the top sides, as they did against Towns last weekend. But the lack of talls is cause for concern and if injuries play a part in their front or back six, they may not have the depth to cover losses.

One to watch: Jake Patten

The workhorse ruckman has struggled for form this season, and was originally dropped against the Valley early in the year before a late withdrawal allowed him to play. Probably the victim of being able to play a variety of positions, Patten may well return to starting ruck in the second half of 2015 and have a more profound influence.

TOWNS

3rd — 4 wins, 3 losses

Rating: C

The reigning premiers, by their own standards, have not had the start to the season they would have liked.

In fairness, two of their losses have been by less than a kick. But this is a team that has been all-conquering for the best part of two decades, and losses are generally few and far between.

They have conceded the least amount of goals of any team in the competition and are a class unit with talent, discipline and structure on their side.

On paper they’re still a very strong team and are big game players, but they’ve lost their big games this year, which will be cause for concern at Wonthella.

Only a fool would write this team off though, and none of the other six clubs will be doing that.

One to watch: Zac Ellis

Was in good touch early, though his work rate appears to have fallen away somewhat. From all reports, can be a very damaging inside mid should his best be seen and with, the Bulldogs in limbo, the club will want him playing good footy.