Diorites produce season-best form to end Railways’ unbeaten run this GFL season

Mines Rovers emerged as dark horses of the Goldfields Football League’s upcoming finals series by ending Railways’ unbeaten run on Sunday in a decisive 56-point victory, 14.12 (96) to 5.10 (40), at Digger Daws Oval.

In Sam Turner’s 150th game, the Diorites held the premiership favourites to their lowest score of the season, including goalless second and third terms, to grab an eighth win.

Teenager Malakai Champion, fresh off his AFL under-16 All-Australian selection earlier in the week, capped off another dynamic display with five goals, and veteran small forward Bevan Bennell booted three.

Mines Rovers coach Marc Johnstone hoped the squad had even more improvement as the finals approached.

“It was the best side we’ve had in all season who just played four quarters of run-and-gun, hard-working football,” Johnstone said.

“We still made the decision at selections to leave out Sheldon Cooper, Brad Dick and Darcy Stevens for one more round, given we have the bye this weekend.

“It makes things a little bit tighter at selections in the next couple of weeks, but we’re really pleased with how we’re travelling.”

All season Johnstone has preached the value of the group utilising speed to over-run sides — a factor that played out perfectly on Sunday.

“Robbie Hansen and Tyrell Dewar on the wings were important for us (because) you can put the ball out in front of them,” he said.

“We kicked to packs twice in the first quarter that Railways scored goals off, so we had to have a little chat at quarter-time about kicking more to space and getting those kids on the end of it.”

Johnstone is hopeful Champion will remain with Mines Rovers until the end of the season, as opposed to resuming with Subiaco’s colts.

“It’s probably more of a wait-and-see with Subiaco on whether they play him because he’s still not yet a colt, with three more years in that grade left to play,” Johnstone said.

“Subiaco would have to leave a top-age player out to bring in Malakai, so I’m not sure how they’ll go about it.

“They can’t fit everybody in and others will have to come out, but it’s good to have him back in our side, that’s for sure.

“A few weeks back against Boulder, he kicked 0.5 and this time it was 5.1, so he really had his kicking boots on and they were all really good goals.

“We gave him more midfield time which he asked for and it was a pretty special day for him.”

With just two games left of the qualifying series, Johnstone said confidence was sky-high.

“There’s belief among the group now, especially when we held them (Railways) goalless for two quarters,” he said.

“That’s the most pleasing thing, that we didn’t get into a shoot-out with them and we dominated from the start.

“Matt Braham played probably his best game across that half-back line.

“He got the best-on-ground money, opened the envelope and shared it with the other back-five, which just epitomises him.

“The boys down there (in defence) do a job each weekend that you don’t really hear about.

“It was a good day, especially for Sam Turner’s milestone game.”

Railways coach Rhett Pettit had no doubts on what went wrong.

“We just got outplayed and they (Mines Rovers) beat us in all aspects of football,” he said.

“They were more committed, played their roles, had a gameplan to beat us and executed it really well.

“We got a football lesson and I’ve said it all year that’s it’s a really even competition and we’ve respected everyone all season in that regard.

“Mines were clinical and so much better than us on the day.

“I actually can’t remember a more complete four-quarter effort from a team.”

Railways are now gearing up for a clash with second-placed Boulder this weekend, with the teams set to meet again in the second semi-final on September 3.