NMFL Round 2: Williamson bag powers Eagles past Bombers while Kangaroos and Magpies pick up first wins

North Midlands Football League 2023 wooden spooners Dongara sit on top of the ladder after taking down minor premiers Three Springs on the back of a six-goal haul from recruit Dale Williamson on debut.

The Eagles finished their season with a 1-14 record last year, and have already improved after picking up a big 12.10 (82) to 10.3 (63) win on Saturday.

Three Springs had the upper hand early on Saturday, taking a three-goal advantage over Dongara at the end of the first.

The Bombers were then kept scoreless in the second quarter while the Eagles took the lead going into half-time.

A seven-goal to three-goal third quarter put Three Springs ahead again and looking set up for the win.

In the final quarter, Dongara put up six unanswered goals and didn’t allow a single score from Three Springs, taking a 19-point win.

Dongara enjoyed the debut of Great Northern Football League recruit Dale Williamson, who slotted six goals.

The Brigades legend retired from the GNFL over the off-season, leaving as the league leader in goals kicked, and now joins the NMFL in Dongara’s forward line.

At Mingenew, Coorow-Latham were pushed right until the very end against the newly competitive home side on Saturday.

The Magpies came away with a 7.16 (58) to 8.5 (53) win, with poor goal kicking almost costing them the points.

Mingenew came out the gates guns blazing with a 4.1 first quarter, but allowed Coorow to come back into the match after going goalless in the second.

Holding just a two-point lead at half-time, the game flipped with the Bulldogs trailing by two points at three-quarter time.

The Magpies held on to win by a goal, despite having 10 more scoring shots then the Bulldogs.

Tane Moran had two goals in the win for Coorow while Clint Chivers and Max Knight each booted two in the loss.

In Carnamah, the reigning premiers picked up their first win of the season against Morawa in the 9.15 (69) to 4.2 (26) contest.

The Kangaroos were coughing up opportunities with inaccurate goal kicking, but managed to limit the Tigers’ shots to keep the game at arm’s length.

The Roos picked up their first win of the season with the help of three goals from Coby Ryan and two from Riley Boys. Clayton Dongara had two in the loss.

Round three will feature a clash of early season contenders as Three Springs host Mingenew with both teams looking on the hunt, reigning premiers Carnamah taking on top-of-the-table Dongara and Morawa travelling to Coorow.