GNFL preliminary final: Brigades fly to upset reigning premiers Northampton and secure date with Valley in GF

Brigades have defied the odds and booked a ticket to the big dance following their upset win over reigning premiers Northampton in the preliminary final.

The Hawks ended the Rams’ quest for back-to-back flags with a fourth-quarter charge at the Rec Ground on Saturday, getting up 11.9 (75) to 9.9 (63) in a tight match.

It was a fast start for the Hawks, with ruck Hayden Johnson winning the tap and the ball was quickly in the hands of Hassan Ahmat-Watkins, who slotted the opening goal of the game within the first minute.

Starting the game in the guts, Harry Taylor sent it down and out of a stoppage, Dylan Ralph responded for a Rams goal.

It was end-to-end footy early, with Brigades having the upper-hand as they went into quarter-time up 4.0 (24) to 2.2 (14) following a long goal from Lucas Ronan late.

Rams ruck Flynn Dillon worked into the game, winning the opening tap but the Hawks had the advantage; Kye McVee was there for the intercept mark to save face for Northampton.

Brigades got another look up forward, but Ralph went over the pack for a goal saving mark on the line. Rams then flew up the ground and Jamie Williams slotted one for the country side.

Northampton went on a scoring run late to make it just a one-goal game at the main break.

Coming out of the half, captain Braden Jupp bombed it for a behind before the Rams took the lead with a long goal.

Brigades looked to threaten the lead Northampton finally managed to take, but Josh Kennedy and Taylor clunked in goals to close out the third.

With both their seasons on the line, it was still anyone’s game going into the fourth quarter – Northampton held a five-point lead.

The Rams worked it up forward early, but Joel Pattrick dived to take an intercept mark for Brigades.

The umpires were noticeably holding their whistles late and letting the game play out, which made for a more intense match.

Ralph gave his everything to will the Rams into a win, dominating the possession.

When the Hawks needed a spark, their youngsters provided it with Rhama Evans and Reid Foot working a chain down the outside wing which found Mick Quick up forward for a goal to put the side up by one point.

Brigades threatened to score again, but McVee got hands on the ball and turned a certain goal into a minor score.

As Northampton desperately tried to get it out of danger, the ball was thrown up inside the Brigades’ 50.

The ball spilled to Hawks’ Fletcher Klasztorny, who had just one man to beat, and he turned on the burners to lose the defender before kicking an important goal.

Time was ticking away for the Rams, and they finally saw some playing in their attacking half as Williams lowered his eyes and a low kick found Taylor up forward and he slotted a crucial goal.

A quick centre stoppage went into the Rams’ favour, but Kaiden Dann got it out of danger, connecting with Ahmat-Watkins on the wing.

The ball broke Brigades’ 50 but was thrown up as the game entered time on, with the Hawks still in front.

A Klasztorny shot went for just a behind, and Northampton looked to work the ball up quickly, with the chain of Jupp to Ralph broken by Jesse Casselton, who was brought down by Kingsley Smith.

Deschamp kicked the ball to advantage out of the stoppage and Jamie Ryder was there to pick up the ball from the top of the 50. He had the leg to carry it home for a goal that put the nail in the coffin for Northampton.

The siren sounded not long after and the Brigades fans erupted as their side took home the 12-point win, knocking Northampton out of the finals race.

Late game hero Jamie Ryder booted three goals in the win for the Hawks, while brother Kristerfer Ryder along with Mick Quick added two. The premiership duo Taylor and Kennedy slotted a pair of majors in the loss.

Now Brigades are set to take on Chapman Valley in the ultimate decider, their third appearance in the past four years.

The Hawks continue to be one of the last remaining teams, only missing out on the grand final last year since 2021.

Now they will look to claim their eighth flag in club history when they face the Royals on Saturday.