Diorites outright leaders in GFLW standings after beating Railways

Mines Rovers stamped themselves as the new benchmark in the Goldfields Football League’s women’s competition after they last Saturday grabbed a 22-point win against Railways, 4.7 (31) to 1.3 (9), and assumed outright first place in the standings.

The Diorites recorded a 10th win to surge a game and a big percentage advantage clear of last year’s grand finalists.

Young forward Chanelle Halligan led Mines Rovers’ effort with two goals — just a day after her grandfather, former two-time eight ball world champion Jack Halligan, died.

Mines Rovers wore black armbands as a mark of respect and held Railways to two behinds by half-time.

They iced the game with a two-goal third quarter.

After the teams fought out a draw in round five, Mines Rovers have had Railways’ measure in each of the past two clashes.

“The girls have worked very, very hard to make that statement,” Mines Rovers coach Quinny Matla said.

“Last season, we started off very strongly and fell away.

“This year, we want to make sure we finish strongly and it’s been a good year so far.

“Chanelle’s only a young girl, about 17 years of age, who was very close to her Pop so for her to go out and play the way she did, I look up to her for that.

“As a team, we spoke before the game about how important family is around our sporting careers so I asked Chanelle to put in a special effort, just to get through the day.

“She did that and I commend her because it was such a big effort.”

Mines Rovers are favourites to notch an 11th win this Saturday against third-placed Boulder at Digger Daws Oval.

Boulder have shown big improvement this year with seven wins, including a round-one triumph against their Digger Daws Oval co-tenants.

Mines Rovers, however, have won the past two encounters by margins of 15 points and 57 points.

Teresa Stokes and Paris Ulijn could be trump cards for Boulder after they last weekend combined for 12 goals in a big over Kambalda, 18.10 (118) to 0.0 (0).

Stokes led the way with seven majors in a victory underpinned by the Tigers’ ultra-efficient 11.1 in the second half.

Also on Saturday, Kalgoorlie oppose Railways at Sir Richard Moore Sports Centre.

Both games start at 9am.

Ladder:

Mines Rovers 42 points; Railways 38; Boulder 28; Kalgoorlie 12; Kambalda 0.

Leading goal kickers:

W. Piringer (Kalgoorlie) 22; D. Epis (Railways) 21; C. Halligan (Mines Rovers) 20; T. Revell (Mines Rovers) 19; M. Kelman (Railways) 18.