Brigades came out on top in a low scoring contest against Towns while Northampton and Railways enjoyed blowout wins on Saturday in round 11 of the Great Northern Football League.
Despite up and down results in recent weeks, Brigades got up over the second on the ladder Towns side 7.7 (49) to 4.7 (31).
The Hawks had a chance for an early goal, with Fletcher Klasztorny sending the ball inside 50 and captain Jordan O’Brien getting a shot after being tackled high but couldn’t convert.
Brigades looked to find another opportunity up forward but Towns’ Camron Hoefhamer was waiting for the intercept.
Arthur Garlett picked up a ground ball in front of the sticks and booted it on the run to give the Bulldogs the first goal of the game.
Tensions were flaring as the first quarter played out, and Towns gave up a 50m penalty halfway through the opening quarter, setting up for a Hawks shot on goal which only came up for a behind.
Although they were able to finish the job not long after as Hassan Ahmat-Watkins got the ball on his boot right in front of goal.
Just before the end of the first, Kristerfer Ryder kicked a late goal to put Brigades ahead by seven at the break.
Towns progress was stalled in the second quarter, with the side held to just 0.3. While goals from Jarrod White and Ahmat-Watkins had Brigades up by 17 at the main break.
The script was flipped in the third quarter and an early goal from captain Drew Forrester had the Bulldogs marching back.
As Towns were looking to close the gap, player-coach Beau Walker took a big grab inside 50 and dished the pill off to Forrester who went back for a second consecutive goal.
After looking dangerous early, Tim Bowdell put away another goal for Towns from 40 out, putting the home side in the lead heading into the final quarter.
In the closing term, all the momentum shifted back in Brigades favour as they put away three goals when it mattered most while Towns kicked just 0.1 in the crucial minutes.
Ahmat-Watkins finished with three goals for Brigades and Ryder had two in the win.
It was a bloodbath at the Rec Ground as Railways demolished Mullewa 31.14 (200) to 3.2 (20), with Damien King booting 11 goals in the win.
After falling a game behind in the top four race, the Blues responded with a 180-point belting over Mullewa, with the side kicking nine goals in the third and 10 in the fourth.
Along with King having a day out, Elijah Burrows put away six goals and Elliot Delaney slotted five in the win.
King now sits as the clear leader for goals kicked this season following his performance with 35 on the year.
Railways still sit at fifth on the ladder with a 5-4 record, tied with Towns but outside of the four on a percentage margin less then four.
Northampton enjoyed a big win of their own, getting up over Rovers 15.16 (106) to 1.6 (12) to move back up to second on the ladder.
The Rams saw goals from Trent Simpson with four, assisted by Albert Dean and Jamie Williams with three each.
Towns ladies shut out Brigades 14.9 (93) to 0.0 (0), the fifth time this season the Bulldogs women’s have left an opponent scoreless in a game. Samantha Biddiscombe and Hailee Hagan both kicked three goals in the win.
While Northampton had to mount a fourth quarter comeback over the Rovers to get a close 2.11 (23) to 2.4 (16) win.
The Demons women’s side looked in position to pick up their second win this season, holding a six-point lead at three quarter time, but Northampton managed to come back and take the win despite kicking 1.7 in the final term.
In the reserves Northampton blew past Rovers with a 17.3 (105) to 0.4 (4) win, Towns nudged out Brigades 4.5 (29) to 3.7 (25) and Railways got the job done against Mullewa 11.6 (72) to 3.4 (22).
The Blues upset the Saints in the colts with a 10.7 (67) to 8.4 (52) win, the Hawks took down the Bulldogs 9.8 (62) to 7.3 (45) and Rovers forfeited against the Rams.
https://thewest.com.au/news/geraldton-guardian/gnfl-round-11-brigades-snap-towns-run-with-18-point-win-railways-and-northampton-run-up-scores-c-15272197
