GNFL: Chapman Valley Royals notch first win of the season against Mullewa Saints Football Club

Chapman Valley celebrated their first win of the season and their first at Mazzuchelli Oval in Nabawa with a comfortable 77-point victory over Mullewa on Saturday afternoon, 23.13 (151) to 11.8 (74).

Both teams have endured a tough start to the season and, in the warm conditions, they set about trying to break the drought.

Chapman Valley snatched the initiative, controlling the contest.

Royals coach Paul “Billy” Drennan was a happy man after the game.

“It’s been a really rough start to our year and today has been great for our players and the club, but we are certainly under no illusion of where we are at,” he said.

Chapman Valley ruckman, Michael McConnell was clearly best afield and was ably supported by the gifted Johny Narkle.

The Royals’ midfield fed off this dominance, with youngsters Mitchell Thompson and Kadence Flanagan, along with Wes Narrier and Tom Page, giving their forwards plenty of opportunities.

The game never reached great heights as a spectacle and lacked intensity, with both sides making many unforced errors, but it was Chapman Valley that found the space and ran harder and longer.

Chapman Valley had 12 goalscorers, with the stand-outs Aaron Thomas, Lenny Papertalk and Rhys Eversden, each booting four goals.

Royals were also able to get plenty of rebound out of defence with the strong work rate of skipper Paul Sorensen, Tom Warr and Owen Metcalf.

Mullewa started well with a couple of exciting goals from Shane Bonney and then finished well, but they were outrun in the second and third quarters.

The Saints tired badly with the majority of their team having either doubled up with earlier games in the colts or reserves or both.

Mullewa coach, Charlie Comeagain Sen. was still positive about the rest of the season.

“When we get our fitness up, we’ll stop making as many mistakes and start to push sides,” he said.

Mullewa’s best players included veteran midfielder Leedham Papertalk along with the promising onballer Leon Galby, who booted a couple of goals.

The Saints’ defenders were under constant pressure, but key players Calvin Wall, Jamien Papertalk and Timothy Steele worked well under the barrage.