Panthers win big but coach seeking better return as GFL finals loom

Railways’ victory over Boulder on Saturday in the second-last round of the Goldfields Football League’s qualifying series by 64 points, 13.14 (92) to 3.10 (28), was largely straightforward but coach Rhett Pettit says he wants more in pursuit of a second flag in three years.

Notwithstanding early inaccuracy that yielded five consecutive behinds to open the game and a second quarter output against the breeze of three behinds, Railways led comfortably at every change.

They blew the game wide open with an eight goals-to-one second half while chalking-up a 14th win.

But a conversion rate of 48 per cent and a knee injury to Makua Vlasich means Pettit is leaving nothing to chance in the run to the finals.

The Panthers close-out the qualifying series this Saturday against Mines Rovers in a dress rehearsal of the second semi-final a week later.

“I wasn’t happy with certain aspects of our game, including our ball use which I thought was pretty ordinary,” Pettit said.

“We missed a lot of goals that I’d normally back us in to kick, too — especially early when we could have put the game to bed.

“We fully understand that there’s some big challenges coming up over the next month.

“Hopefully, there’s still a fair bit of improvement in us.”

The extent of Vlasich’s injury will be assessed this week while Tom Gilbert, Jack Kennedy and Norman Stubbs push for a recall.

Railways’ late-season additions include Alijaah Evans, who played his fourth senior game since arriving from Waroona before the June 30 clearance deadline.

“He’s just a young fella whose got an apprenticeship in town, so we’re pretty lucky in that regard,” Pettit said.

“I felt that (last Saturday) was his best game in the backline and he really stepped-up when Vlas went down.

“That’s a good sign (because) it gives us more depth, but perhaps the best thing down back for us at the moment is the influence that Kyle Hams is having on our young defenders.

“They’re learning off him every minute of the game.

“Overall, our defensive effort was probably the most pleasing aspect and conceding just three goals for the entire game.”

Josh Mathers, Kyle Penny and Chris Yarran each kicked three goals for Railways.

It was, however, much tougher going in attack for Boulder — especially in the absence of injured key forward Brett Blair.

After kicking 2.4 to half-time, the Tigers were held to 1.6 after the main break.

Boulder also conceded third spot, which carries a home first semi-final, to Kalgoorlie.

However, the black-and-golds have a game in hand and play last-placed Kambalda this Saturday as they look to grab the four points and make-up a deficit of just over seven percentage points.