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GNFL grand final preview: Chapman Valley fight to end 32-year drought with a red hot Brigades in their way
The Royals have one hand on the crown, but a young Hawks side hopes to keep the drought going when the titans of the Great Northern Football League, Chapman Valley and Brigades, battle for glory in the 2024 grand final.
Chapman Valley have put together their best season in three decades, looking to end a 32-year drought.
Brigades are chasing redemption on their finals’ shortcomings in recent years, after going out in straight sets last year and losing the grand final in 2022.
The biggest move in the offseason was brothers Jayden and Kim Schofield leaving Brigades — where they were reigning and runner-up club best and fairest — to go to Chapman Valley.
Jayden Schofield took over as player-coach and brought instant success with him with a 10-0 start, installing a winning culture to a Royals side that had struggled in recent years.
The first-year coach said the side was feeling confident.
“We believe that we’re the best team, we’ve been the best team all year . . . we’re going to have everybody to pick from, so we’re going to have a real healthy list,” Schofield said.
“We know it’s going to be a tough game but we’re 100 per cent confident and 100 per cent expect to show our best on Saturday.”
He said the game was much bigger than the players running out on the field, with the Royal army crying out for the drought to end.
“It’s not anything to do with the 22 running out on Saturday, it’s all for the heartache of the Valley, through the last 32 years, (the supporters) have been starved of success,” he said.
“For us it’s about recognising that and doing it for not only ourselves, but doing it for everyone that’s supported the Valley over the last 32 years.”
Chapman Valley captain Ringo McKenna said they were expecting a big crowd of the Valley faithful.
“Club’s super supportive win, lose or draw, so everyone’s behind us,” he said.
“I know there’s a fair few people coming up from Perth — ex-players, ex-supporters, so sure to be a massive crowd and hopefully bring it home.”
While on the other side, Brigades had to deal with an exodus of some of their best players, with not just the Schofields leaving but also the departure of Dale Williamson to Dongara and Dylan Ralph to Northampton.
Picking up the pieces, the Hawks turned to youth which proved to be the difference. Their young stars have stepped up all season and gained momentum at the tail end.
It’s hard to believe with how hot their form has been in the past two weeks, but Brigades nearly missed out on the top four in the final round.
Coach Cory Foot said they have taken this season one quarter at a time.
“We didn’t know where the ceiling was, but looking back we had the first couple of wins in the start of the year which really set us up for the season,” Foot said.
“We knew out best is good enough; it was just if we could be consistent.”
With everything on the line, Foot believes both teams have a similar approach, but the Hawks have momentum.
“You look at the line-ups, and we’re very similar . . . there’s not a lot of weaknesses in the Chapman Valley line-up at all, or in their game plan,” he said.
“We’ve got in-form forwards, so do they, the two rucks will be a great battle, midfield very similar, back line are very tight and respectful towards their forwards as well.”
The focus on the Hawks’ youth was spearheaded by the leadership group.
Team captains Mick Quick and Jordan O’Brien said it had been great to run out alongside the young up-and-comers.
“It’s good to see the young fellas stepping up and bringing a lot of youth and excitement into the team,” O’Brien said.
“To see some of the boys come through and some of the fellas I actually coached at junior level, so we’re now playing with them and hopefully win a flag with them, would be a dream come true,” Quick said.
While the history is there between the two sides, both coaches said there was no bad blood remaining.
“We’re still mates with Jayden and Kim, all boys are, I don’t think there’s any extra motivation to try and beat them,” Foot said.
Jayden Schofield added: “It seems like a bit of fate, like it was always going to happen, but for me and Kimmy it’s just another game.”
The league grand final is on Saturday at WA Country Builders Stadium with bounce down at 3.30pm.
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