GNFL grand final preview: Northampton charge into grand final with Railways ready to challenge for 2023 flag

Northampton are aiming to break an almost 20-year premiership drought while Railways are looking for finals redemption as the team face off in the 2023 Great Northern Football League’s grand final. A preseason and regular season of hard work comes down to Saturday’s game, with the Rams and Blues vying for the flag. For one of the most famous and storied clubs in regional football, Northampton has been an AFL factory, producing some of the game’s finest talent. With all the big names they have produced, the club has not won the GNFL grand final since 2004. But the Rams hope to change that on the weekend, as they play for their seventh premiership in club history. The Rams side has been built up over the off-season with the goal to contend for the flag. Last season the club finished fourth and failed to get past Rovers in the 2022 elimination final. This season they finished second, dropping just two games all season, and rolling past a strong Brigades side in the qualifying game to reach the big dance. Being one of the few country clubs in the league, Northampton president Damian Harris said there was a whole community behind the Rams. “Everyone’s very excited and you know, it’s a community club, it stretches from high up in the north, Kalbarri, farming land north of the Murchison River, Mary Springs,” he said. “There’s a big shire that’s connected to the footy club and they’re all very excited . . . whatever the outcome, they’re extremely proud of the footy.” Their side has been revamped and it began with the dominance of star Flynn Dillon early in the season. The gun went on a tear in the team’s 6-1 start, before he left overseas. Seven games was enough to earn Dillon the 2023 JJ Clune Medal, which he shared with Brigades’ Kim Schofield. “We had a good start to the year, the boys have done well. . . we had a real good start,” Dillon said after winning the medal. The club boasts a lot of young talent, which Harris said has had a positive impact on and off the field. “It’s been a great year, a lot of guys back on track and the young guys have potential, some good young years ahead of them that they can really shine playing a bit of country football,” he said. “They can be a bit of a leader in their community, or in their team, or in their workplaces, it just gives them better life skills.” While the team has been dominant all season without him, bringing retired West Coast champion Josh Kennedy into the side is a nice addition to the team. “He’s awesome, what he and Harry (Taylor) bring, they’re just part of the club . . .hopefully the stars align,” Harris said. While Kennedy might steal some attention, Taylor has had a monster season for the Rams, leading the league in goals with 47, 13 more than anyone else this season. On the other side, Railways have overcome a disappointing exit from the finals last season to reach the big game, and the Blues hope to claim their 13th flag, which would tie with Towns for most in the league. They entered the finals a much different team from 2022, coming in third on the ladder and having to fight through elimination. In 2022, they were the top side but went out in straight sets in the finals. The revamped team has had a tough run in finals, facing defending champions Rovers and then taking on a Brigades side that looked primed for a flag. The team managed to fight through under first-year coach John Reynolds, and while most would be happy with making the grand final in their debut season, Reynolds wants to go the distance. “I’m obviously pretty happy with that, but when you are a coach or when you’re involved with a football club, the main aim or the end point is to win the grand final,” he said. “So for me, I’ve always had that aspect and that aim, although I’m pretty happy with getting where we are at the moment, my main aim is to go all the way and get one more.” Railways looked the underdogs in their match-up against Brigades, but they managed to pull off a win, backed in with a strong strategy. “We discussed out game plan pretty strongly and, coming into it sort of pre-empting and counter acting what Brigades would do, and I think a few of our moves paid off,” Reynolds said. “We didn’t go too defensive in which we have done early on in the season, so we were very offensive in attacking and that made them accountable. So I think that’s one aspect that we’ll take into the grand final for sure.” Railways have had players step up when they needed it most, with captain Jesse Adamini coming runner-up in the JJ Clune Medal. The likes of Ryan Le Tessier and Dion Anthony have shown their value in the side, bagging goals for the Blues all season. With everything on the line this weekend, Reynolds expects both sides to show up for the big dance. “I think it will be pretty attacking from both sides, obviously Northampton will be going pretty confident with their forward line aspect and their height,” he said. “I think it’d be a really good battle through the midfield and who can enter into the forward line structure, and make their opportunities count when that happens.” The Rams bolster a strong side, but Reynolds has full confidence in his team to get one more win. “I back our guys in, our leadership in our midfielders and our strength that we’ve grown over the last few weeks is peaking at the right time. “I’ve got all the confidence in the guys and I’m backing them in, that’s for sure.” The contest is bound to be a close battle, while Northampton just look to strong with their tall forwards, underdogs should never be counted out. Bouncedown for the grand final between Northampton and Railways is at 3.30pm at WA Country Builders Stadium in Wonthella on Saturday. KEY STATS Season record Northampton: 2nd 10-2-0 182.71 per cent Railways: 3rd 8-4-0 185.83 per cent Head-to-head R7 Northampton 17.11 (113) def Railways 8.6 (54) R14 Northampton 12.12 (84) def Railways 3.7 (25) Last five games Northampton: WWWWW Railways: LWLWW Key players Northampton Josh Cripps: Won best on ground in the qualifying final with a big performance. Has the ability to back it up. Braden Jupp: The captain has enjoyed a strong year and is key in securing a win on Saturday. Josh Kennedy: 723 goals in the AFL, only needs a few to help the team get a win. Railways Jesse Adamini: The JJ Clune Medal runner up can kick a bag. He will need to take charge if they want to win. Ryan Le Tessier: Can win the game off his boot alone and will be pivotal to Blues’ game plan. Matthew Kimberley: Had a big game last week against Brigades and has the ability to do it again this week. TIPS Derek Goforth (Guardian contributor) It’s the year of the Ram as far as I can see. I was gutted to see the ladies go out but the men’s league side will take the honours after years of waiting. I know this isn’t all about JK but I believe he will play a big part. Margin: Northampton by 10 points plus Best on Ground: Josh Cripps Victor Tanti (stats expert) Northampton if their goalkicking is accurate. They have height, too, and should dominate in the air. Railways have matchwinners but struggle for goals against the better teams. Margin: Northampton by 12 points Best on Ground: Braden Jupp Peter Fiorenza (Radio MAMA presenter) I think Northampton will (unfortunately) win convincingly. Just too tall — too much speed out of the middle along with more top-tier performers. Margin: Northampton by 32 points Best on Ground: Beau Walker Shane Van Styn (City of Greater Geraldton Mayor) I think Northampton have certainly stacked the decks against the local teams, and so you have to back them in, but I’m a Rovers guy. Margin: Northampton by 24 points Best on Ground: Josh Kennedy to lead from the front under pressure and kick a six-goal haul. Carrissa Bellottie (GNFL president) We’ve got five different clubs playing this weekend and I wish them all the best. But I’ve got a soft spot for country teams being a country girl myself.