Panthers, Roos rekindle time-honoured GFL rivalry

Saturday’s GFL grand final between Railways and Kalgoorlie rekindles a rivalry that has been 10 years in the making.

In the last showdown between the clubs in 2014, Railways cruised to victory by 48 points after Kalgoorlie had lifted the 2013 cup in a 21-point win.

Under similar circumstances to the 2014 result, Railways prevailed in the 2012 grand final against Kalgoorlie by 45 points.

Outside those years, grand final showdowns between Railways and Kalgoorlie over the past century have been rare — dating back to 1962 when Kalgoorlie won by 12 points.

Railways defeated Kalgoorlie in the 1952 clash by 28 points and in 1941 it was the Roos’ premiership by three points.

In 1931, Railways were premiers at the expense of Kalgoorlie after they had lost each of the 1927 and 1930 grand finals.

This season in head-to-head clashes, Railways won all four in a qualifying series that yielded 15 wins and one loss.

Kalgoorlie finished with a win-loss record of 7-9 but all but one of their matches with Railways have been reasonably close.

Outside the Panthers’ win by 79-points in round 11, the margins were 23 points (round one), 27 points (round six) and 16 points (round 16).

Railways’ highest score of the season was 34.18 (222) against Kambalda in round 18.

Kalgoorlie kicked 38.15 (243) against the Eagles in round 19.