GNFL grand final: Northampton end 19-year drought after claiming 2023 flag in nail-biter over Railways

Northampton broke their 19-year drought to claim the 2023 Great Northern Football League premiership over Railways in an extra-time thriller. The Rams won the arm wrestle that went into over-time 12.6 (78) to 9.6 (60) against the Blues. The intensity was high to start the game, with the first score coming four minutes in from former West Coast Eagles superstar Josh Kennedy, who soccered a goal off a Trent Simpson kick, to give the Rams an early lead. The Rams followed it up with 2023 JJ Clune medallist Flynn Dillon snapping a goal in his first game back since round seven. With the quarter ticking down, Railways had a chance to hit the board, with captain Jesse Adamini taking a shot on goal, but coming away with a minor score. Kennedy slotted his second in a set shot just before the end of the first quarter, giving Northampton a 19-point lead at the first break. The second term began with two quick goals for the Rams, with Harry Taylor looking like he had a chance at scoring, but instead opting to handball it off to Kennedy, who booted his third. Down by 31 points, Henry Anderson kicked Railways’ first goal, with Dion Anthony following it up with another for the Blues. Rams captain Braden Jupp made his presence felt, creating opportunities for his team and getting touches all over the ground. The half-time margin didn’t change, with the Rams going into the main beak 19 points up, 7.4 (46) to 4.3 (27). Railways needed a big third quarter to get in the game and that’s exactly what happened, with their backline containing the Rams to just one goal for the quarter. On the offensive side, the Blues had players stepping up to kick three straight, including Anderson who was running down the side line and booted the ball from a long way, with no Ram managing to get a hand on it. At the last break, the Rams led by just five points but the momentum was swinging in Railways favour. A defensive slip-up from the Blues saw Dillon work the ball down to Taylor who took a big mark, giving him a set shot from 20 metres out, but he missed. Eighteen minutes into the final term, Railways kicked two goals back-to-back, including one from Mitchell Boyle who grabbed the ball out of the middle and kicked a goal on the run to put the Blues up by one point — according to the scoreboard. The final siren sounded not long after, with the scoreboard sitting at 9.6 (60) to 9.5 (59) in Railways’ favour. Fans rushed the field and the Blues began celebrating, but the goal umpires waved it off. The scoreboard had been wrong and the game had finished in a tie in regular time, with each team locked at 9.6 (60). All the supporters had to get off the oval and an extra 10 minutes of game was left to be played. The teams had to regroup to play two five-minute halves, and Northampton took control, capitalising on the momentum that had shifted in their favour. Taylor booted the first goal in overtime, and from there it was all Northampton footy. When the first five-minute half ended, some Rams fans jumped the gun and flooded the field, but they quickly left. However, Railways failed to score in extra-time and when the final siren blew, Northampton had won the grand final 12.6 (78) to 9.6 (60). In controversial and remarkable scenes, they had clinched their first league flag since 2004, ending a 19-year drought, which was the second-longest active drought in the GNFL. For the club which has become of the more famous in country football, success at the top level had been elusive. Club president Damian Harris was full of praise for the boys getting the job done. “I’m absolutely over the moon, 19 years, a community has worked for this,” he said. “A team effort, Braden Jupp’s first quarter was outstanding, Tyler Caddy, Jayden Poletti, all the back line.” The game had many standout players but the winner of the Geraldton Guardian best on ground award was Northampton’s Dillon, who delivered an impressive second half performance to help get the Rams over the line. “I am on cloud nine right now right now and don’t know how to explain it,” he said after the game, capping off a big week after co-winning the JJ Clune Medal despite only playing half a season for the Rams. “Such a great game, am so glad it was a great one to watch.” Co-coach Adam Price said he was “over the moon” and excited for the team’s future. “We will always look to youth, colts team has a lot of talent, with a few ageing stars. I assume the team next year will look a lot different,” he said. “Braden Jupp has had a sensational year — the skip leads from the front and loves taking the ball head on.” Many players were understandably exhausted post-game. “I am buggered, but what a feeling, we did it, we just didn’t give up, even after the final whistle,” Beau Walker said.