NMFL round 3: Three Springs upend Mingenew, Coorow-Latham and Carnamah-Perenjori pick up wins

The North Midlands Football League looks wide open after the first three rounds with each side proving to be competitive. On Saturday Mingenew faced last year’s minor premiers Three Springs, who got up 17.8 (110) to 9.10 (64). Despite missing finals last year, the Bulldogs proved to be a competitive side early with a win and close loss against Coorow-Latham. They travelled to face Three Springs, who are set up to be another strong team this year but were coming off a loss against 2023 wooden spooners Dongara. Despite the exciting build-up, Three Springs handled Mingenew convincingly, keeping them at arm’s length throughout the match. Three Springs held a 24-point margin at the end of both the first and second quarters but managed to hold Mingenew to just five points in the third while they piled on 28 points. Bailey Mutter continued his hot form to start the season with five goals in the win, while Darryl Dalgetty and Michael Roberts both had three. Brendan Cockman had a big game with a bag of five goals for Mingenew during the loss. Over at Perenjori, it was a clash between reigning premiers Carnamah-Perenjori and the early ladder leaders in Dongara, with the champs getting up 14.11 (95) to 9.2 (56). The Kangaroos claimed the flag last year while the Eagles took home the wooden spoon, but the latter have proven they are a new team this year with an early win and draw. Carnamah proved too good for Dongara however, as the Eagles couldn’t keep up with the Kangaroos. The first quarter saw Carnamah have nine scoring opportunities to Dongara’s one, but poor accuracy had the game sitting at 29-6 by the end of the first quarter. As the game progressed, Dongara found more chances at goal, but Carnamah’s assault in the fourth quarter was too much, led by Tim Steele who booted seven goals in the 39-point win. Steele’s bag earnt him a best on performance for the Roos, while Mitchell Hutton added two major scores and five other players had a goal each. Coorow-Latham got up over Morawa at home 17.17 (119) to 6.8 (44). The Magpies are the only team so far who are yet to drop a game but they did start their season with a draw against Dongara, while the Tigers are still searching for their first win. Round four has exciting contests, including a rematch of last year’s preliminary final when Carnamah hosts Coorow, with both teams coming off wins. Mingenew will travel to Dongara as the clash between two sides that missed finals last year now looks like a marquee match-up after their impressive starts to the season. Three Springs will host Morawa in the final game.