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Yarran bags seven as Panthers cruise to win

Neale HarveyKalgoorlie Miner
Railways’ Jacob Oakes with the ball during his team’s round-five Goldfields Football League match against Mines Rovers on Wednesday night.
Camera IconRailways’ Jacob Oakes with the ball during his team’s round-five Goldfields Football League match against Mines Rovers on Wednesday night. Credit: Amber Lilley/Kalgoorlie Miner

Railways’ emergence as the Goldfields Football League’s only unbeaten team was extended to four games on the back of Chris Yarran’s seven goals in a 58-point win, 15.14 (104) to 6.10 (46), over Mines Rovers on Wednesday night.

Mines Rovers’ Zachary Hunter.
Camera IconMines Rovers’ Zachary Hunter. Credit: Amber Lilley/Kalgoorlie Miner

The clash at Digger Daws Oval was the first leg of a midweek program framed by the GFL for the Sir Doug Nicholls Round, ahead of Saturday’s local WAFL clash between Subiaco and Swan Districts.

The Panthers dictated terms, piling on four goals in the opening eight minutes that left Mines Rovers playing catch-up football for the rest of the night.

Efficiency was pivotal, with the blue-and-whites with one more scoring shot to quarter-time.

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But they misfired for 1.7 as Railways piled on six straight goals.

Mines Rovers’ Connor Darcy and Railways’ Alex Stuart battle it out.
Camera IconMines Rovers’ Connor Darcy and Railways’ Alex Stuart battle it out. Credit: Amber Lilley/Kalgoorlie Miner

Yarran, last year’s Dick Robinson medallist whose start to 2022 has been curtailed by injury, bagged three goals to quarter-time.

He added another in the second term and might have finished with at least nine.

He hit the post early in the last term and a clever snap moments later went wide of the mark.

It was, however, a welcome return to form for Yarran as the Panthers look to break a five-year flag drought.

It was a frustrating night for Mines Rovers, who edged within 24 points at half-time but were outgunned seven goals to two the rest of the way.

Railways’ Kyle Russell.
Camera IconRailways’ Kyle Russell. Credit: Amber Lilley/Kalgoorlie Miner

A downside to the red-and-blacks’ win was captain Alex Stuart contracting COVID on Thursday morning.

Coach Rhett Pettit, however, said it was a minor setback ahead of the squad’s clash with Boulder on May 28.

“Chris (Yarran) finally got some rewards for his efforts (because) he’s played pretty much the last month with an injured ankle,” Pettit said.

“That injury happened just before the first game and last (Wednesday) night he got some rewards and I couldn’t be happier for him, to be honest.

Railways’ Jack Steel celebrates a goal.
Camera IconRailways’ Jack Steel celebrates a goal. Credit: Amber Lilley/Kalgoorlie Miner

“He gets a bit of flak (from rival spectators) which is disappointing because he’s a real role model in the community with his work and his football.”

In Mines Rovers’ camp, coach Marc Johnstone was bitterly disappointed.

“We got smashed,” Johstone said.

“Even with those shots we took in the first quarter and the seven behinds, probably only two or three were easy and the rest were from pockets or rushed kicks.

“While we were having shots, I still didn’t think we were even in the game and we’re our own worst enemy in butchering balls coming out of our backline.

Mines Rovers’ Brad Dick.
Camera IconMines Rovers’ Brad Dick. Credit: Amber Lilley/Kalgoorlie Miner

“The majority of those (opposition first-quarter goals) came from our turnovers and incorrect use out of defence.

“We have some really good ball users who had an off night after I’d hoped we’d get out of the blocks a lot faster.”

The Diorites’ goals were shared among Brad Dick (three), Nick Reghenzani (two) and Darcy Stevens (one).

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