Federal and Alkamilya continue winning runs in thrilling CAFL round

Federal’s improvement continues while Alkamilya women’s match against Pioneer lived up to high expectations. See the latest action from the CAFL.

First year Federal coach Sam LaPorta’s bid to stamp the word improvement on his Central Australian Football League club has reached new heights after eight rounds of the 2023 season.

The Demons’ explosive start to the LaPorta era continued on Saturday when they beat Rovers by 72 points at Albrecht Oval, stretching their unbeaten run to six games while cementing top position on the ladder.

Shane Inkamala’s six goals from the key forward post took his season’s tally to 21 in four games while Robby Bartee out of the middle and Ned Gaynor also continued their stellar early season form.

LaPorta put the emphasis on his players to get a good start after Pioneer jumped them the week before.

“We were a bit off in the first quarter the previous week, so it was good to see the players put four quarters together and go on with it,’’ he said.

“All I’m pleased about is the improvement in this group, it’s all I’ve ever asked for because the scoreboard will look after itself when you are able to do things right and improvement is a massive part of that.’’

Federal beat Rovers in Round 8 of the 2023 CAFL season. Picture: Charlie Lowson / AFLNT Media

South Alice Springs won their fourth game of the season by beating the winless Wests by 83 points at Jim McConville Oval.

Last season’s grand finalists did not have it their own way despite the lopsided scoreline as the young Bloods refused to submit.

But on a day when 17-year-old small forward Mythius Stuart kicked two goals in his senior debut, the Kangaroos had too much strength through the middle and up forward for the undermanned Wests.

Souths coach Chris Forbes said a series of personnel changes meant his side had to find another path to goal against a side that had nothing to lose.

“We had a chance to really put the foot down but didn’t take it and credit to Wests for that, we were made to work for a win,’’ he said.

Centreman Dominic Forbes was Souths’ best, creating several opportunities for his forward line players with his great vision and several clean disposals by hand and foot.

Thomas Gorey took advantage of Forbes’ dominance with a six-goal haul and the prolific Thomas Swan drifting down from the wing added another four.

Daniel Stafford played the role of traffic controller at centre half-forward with his positional work and ability to bring the ball to ground for Souths running players.

Robby Bartee had a strong showing for Federal in Round 8. Picture: AFLNT

In women’s football the Alkamilya-Pioneer game lived up to its match of the round tag.

In a game where 19 goals were scored, 12 of them coming from players in Alkamilya colours, elements like pressure, skill, pace and strength were on display.

Alkamilya’s assistant coach Raymond Walters said the 35-point win that sealed the club’s eighth win in as many starts had been hard earned, with players from both sides throwing themselves into the play.

“Every player contributed to the win which lines up with us being up and about and playing some well organised footy as our undefeated record shows,’’ he said.

Club captain Kahlisha Rioli had her best game of the season, winning several possessions around the ground and midfielder Gabrielle King’s star continued to rise with another big possession game.

Another shining light was Jasmin Boyers in the ruck, who dominated in that position despite being unfamiliar in the role.

Souths won their second game of the season when they beat Wests by four goals at Jim McConville Oval.

The Kangaroos’ coach Dudley Clarke was a happy man after the 7.5 (47) to 3.5 (23) win, saying his side’s determination and team oriented football had got them over the line.

“The girls just started playing for each other and doing all the 1 per centers you need to be successful in this game,’’ Clarke said.

“We pushed West the last time we played them and this time kept our foot on the pedal and got the points.’’

Montanna Hudson around the ball, the consistent Ebony Miller in the ruck and on-baller Demi-Lee Braun were standouts in the win that has the Kangaroos hopping.

Second-placed Rovers were forced to forfeit to Federal before Saturday night’s game at Albrecht Oval, with several of their players involved in a netball tournament in Darwin.

The CAFL Senior Men take a break next weekend with the Melbourne-GWS Giants AFL clash scheduled for Traeger Park.

Ladder leaders Federal see off CAFL reigning premiers

Federal maintained its winning start to the Senior Men’s 2023 Central Australian Football League season with a convincing win over reigning premier Pioneer.

The ladder leading Demons won by 29 points on the back of good performances from Ned Gaynor in an unaccustomed role of ruckman, midfielders Braydon Wiely and Robby Bartee and goalkicking forward Shane Inkamala.

Pioneer grabbed the initiative early in the game with some hard running and clever use of the football, but the absence of stars Matt Campbell, Shawn Foster and Kane Sevallos through injury and unavailability hurt them as the game progressed.

Federal’s skipper Abe Ankers was another player in a red and white jumper who played his part in the side’s fifth straight win.

Abe Ankers had another strong showing for Federal. Picture: Charlie Lowson / AFLNT Media

“Robby Bartee, Braydon Wiely and Ned got us back into the game late in the second quarter after Pioneer’s fast start and we went from there,’’ Ankers said.

“(Playing coach) Sam LaPorte straightened us up in front of goals with a couple of his own and Shane Inkamala’s great start to the season continued with four more goals that gave us another big target to shoot at.’’

Rovers won their second game of the season with joint new coaches Luke Adams and Michael Liddle, kicking 20.16 (136) to 3.8 (26) in a quiet show of class at Jim McConville Oval.

The young Wests side showed plenty of grit and determination, but were eventually overwhelmed by the hard running Double Blues.

In women’s football the ladder leading Alkamilya Panthers continued on their merry way with a comprehensive 65-point win over the young Souths side.

Alkamilya’s 13.7 (85) to 3.2 (20) win, their seventh in a row to start the season, included four goals each from forwards Kaitlyn Armstrong and Regan Maher and a best on ground performance from Gabrielle King through the middle of the ground.

Dubbed “Silky’’ by her teammates due to her ability to find the football and dispose of it with immaculate hand and foot skills, King again set up several forward moves for the undefeated ladder leaders.

Captain Kahlisha Rioli and vice-captain Danielle Woods were other good contributors in an even team performance as the Panthers get more leap and running power into their legs.

Pioneer’s revival under coach Fred Campbell continued with a 29-point win over Federal at Albrecht Oval.

The E-Girls were supreme through the middle and down back against the Demons, Keomi and Peta Ross in superb form where they picked up an enormous amount of possession.

“I was very proud of the girls, they played for each other and used the football very well, hopefully we can go on with it from here,’’ Campbell said post match.

“We’re playing some good footy and next week’s game against Alkamilya will show us where we are at for sure.’’

Rovers were too strong for last season’s grand finalists Wests, winning in most positions to record a 19-point win.

The Double Blues stayed second with the win and will meet third-placed Federal in a crucial game for both sides in Round 8.

In community football, top-of-the-ladder Ltyentye Apurte had to fight hard before beating fourth-placed Ti Tree by 12 points.

Second-placed Ariparra hit the ground running against Yuendemu and were never in trouble, beating the Magpies by 109 points.

Originally published as Federal and Alkamilya continue winning runs in thrilling CAFL round