GNFL round 14 preview: Chapman Valley keeping eye on bigger picture with Brigades clash

The Chapman Valley train is showing no signs of slowing down after a historic 301-point win on the weekend.

Unbeaten Valley broke just about every Great Northern Football League record on the weekend in the 51.21 (327) to 4.2 (26) contest against Mullewa, clocking the biggest win, score and margin in league history.

They did it without their coach and arguably two most important players in Jayden and Kim Schofield, who were both in South Australia representing the State in a country clash.

“Me and Kimmy were following the results on PlayHQ on our phones, but it was crazy, amazing,” Royals player-coach Jayden Schofield said.

“I was telling a few of the boys before the game that I would be happy just to get a win, and to win by 300 points was bloody good.

“So stoked for the boys that kicked 10 goals each, they’ve been training hard for they got some reward for effort.”

Teams would be riding high after rewriting the history books, but the Royals understand how big the next few weeks are.

“It’s all well and good to win by 300 points, but we’ve got some really important games coming up now,” Jayden Schofield said.

“We’ve got a bigger picture to look at in the next few weeks, it starts this week with Brigades … we can secure top spot if we win this week.”

Under their first year with the new player-coach, the Royals have had their best start to a season since 1973.

The club has locked in a top four spot, but they are staying grounded during the home-and-away season.

“It’s just managing expectations, stoked with how the seasons panned out so far, couldn’t have dreamt to be 10-0 at this stage,” Jayden Schofield said.

“Just telling the boys to not get too cocky, which they aren’t getting cocky at all … obviously Chapman Valley has had not much success in the last 10 years, so the boys are definitely not getting carried away.”

Despite being undefeated, Jayden Schofield said they were yet to field their strongest side this season.

“To be honest we haven’t played one game this whole year with our best 22, but I reckon every team could probably say that,” he said.

“You’ve just got to deal with who’s available each week … for blokes like Stewie (Egan) to step up into a role kicking 13 goals is just amazing.”

If they win against Brigades on Saturday, they will guarantee a top two finish and all but lock down the minor premiership.

In their first two meetings this season, the Royals have come away with both wins but Jayden Schofield said it was a clean slate against his old team this weekend..

“We’re expecting (Brigades) to come out hot, they’ve had a couple of tight losses in the last couple weeks,” he said.

“I know they’re a proud group and they wouldn’t be happy with where they are at the moment.

“Looking forward to the challenge, I love playing against the old team, still have a lot of good friends there.

“They’re a proud group, so Footy (Brigades coach Cory Foot) will have them revved up no doubt.”

Across the rest of round 14 action, Northampton and Towns clash at Purcher International Oval.

Towns are on the outside looking to break into the top four as the finals race tightens, while the Rams are still a chance at stealing the minor premiership with some lucky results.

Rovers and Mullewa meet at Greenough Oval, with the Demons chasing a second win and the Saints still looking for their first victory of the season.