GNFL Round 1: Northampton claim derby bragging rights as Trent Simpson tears game open with four-goal quarter

Northampton claimed bragging rights in the northern derby with a hard-fought win 12.9 (81) to 10.9 (69) over Chapman Valley on Saturday thanks to a dominant final quarter. The Rams were widely talked up to be big improvers this season while Chapman Valley are hoping to break into the top four on the back of a strong second half of 2022. Both looked deserving of the win at various stages but in the end, the Rams had that extra touch of class. That class was on show early when Harry Taylor clunked a good contested grab to score the first major on the 45 before Dylan Corbett burnt Nicholas Mozley with a great goal on the run. But vice-captain Jay O’Brien went check side out of a pack near the boundary to respond for the Royals as they finished the quarter stronger after Rams missed some gettable shots. Goals to Paul Sorenson and Mitchell Thompson gave them a 26-15 lead at the first break. It was a tight start to the second half with both teams looking to move quickly but both defences held up. Flynn Dillon was showing the form he displayed prior to his broken leg as Trent Simpson ducked and weaved his way to snap his first goal. Taylor then got his second as the Rams took the lead though Jaye Colgate kept the Royals in touch, trailing by five points at half-time. O’Brien got his second of the afternoon to start the third before Lawrence Evans added another after some smart ball movement from Ringo McKenna. Tyler Caddy responded to continue the back and forth afternoon before Taylor kicked his third after taking another impressive contested grab. With just one point in it heading into the final quarter and the momentum swings back and forth there was no way of telling who would come out on top. But the ball lived in the Rams’ forward half in the fourth as Simpson exploded with a four-goal quarter to take the game away from the Royals before Taylor seized on a defensive error to seal the game with his fourth. In the other matches, Brigades were briefly challenged but otherwise looked dominant as they exacted revenge for their grand final loss with a 12.12 (84) to 7.7 (49) win over Rovers. Jack Perham was the star with five goals with Kristerfer Ryder picking up three. Mullewa defeated Towns 16.13 (109) to 9.13 (67) with Kamalh and Kristian Papertalk combining for six goals in a polished performance over a rebuilding Bulldogs side.