Men’s premiers Pioneer and women’s league leaders Alkamilya made to work for wins

Defending premiers Pioneers held off a determined Wests, while women’s league leaders Alkamilya were made to work. Read about the latest action from the 2023 CAFL here.

Pioneer and South Alice Springs continued their charge towards the Central Australian Football League finals with hard-earned wins in Round 11 of the 2023 competition.

Defending premier Pioneer held off a determined Wests to win their afternoon clash at Traeger Park, while Souths beat Rovers by 50 points at Albrecht Oval to win their sixth game of the season.

The enthusiatic Bloods brought the pressure early on before the Eagles found some rhythm to win by 24 points.

“All credit to Westies, they came out firing and forced us into error, they had nothing to lose with their style of play and played a tough style of footy,’’ Eagles skipper Cheyne Miles said.

Playing coach Matt Campbell, in only his fourth game of the season, was among Pioneer’s best in a defensive role. Kane Sevallos and Jackson Cole through the middle, Tyrell Woodbury in defence and youngster Isaiah Miller all contributed to the win.

Kane Sevallos was among the best for Pioneer against Wests. Picture: AFLNT Media

Wests were best served by Chester Hunter, Josh Johnny, Liam Sutton, Greg Eaton, Patrick Hannigan and Jeremy Loudon in a performance coach Ben Ellis will use as a template in the four minor round games remaining in the season.

Souths stayed third with their 50-point win over a gutsy Rovers, veteran wingman Bradley Turner starring with a big possession game and forward Jamahl Lynch creating headaches for the Double Blues defence.

Densel Anderson was another good player for the Roos, kicking four goals in a second half cameo after starting in defence before coach Chris Forbes threw him into the midfield.

Forbes was pleased with his players’ ability to bounce back from a slow start after Rovers gained the ascendancy in the first quarter by taking a six-point lead into lemon time.

“We stuck to our gameplan even with one player on the bench and now we get a week off before playing Wests, Pioneer and Souths in the run home,’’ Forbes said.

“We had a few out against Rovers who we hope to get back into the side like Michaelis McMasters, Thomas Gorey and Taylem Stubbs who we hope to get back in the next couple of weeks.’’

In the Senior Women’s, unbeaten ladder leader Alkamilya were taken to the final siren by a courageous Federal before prevailing by five points in a tough, physical contest at Traeger Park.

The Panthers held on to win by five points in one of the games of the season, coming from behind at the last change to beat a Federals side that did everything but win the game.

Joint Alkamilya coach Brendan Verrier said the club’s on-field leaders and a late goal to win the game were big factors in the 3.3 (21) to 2.4 (16) win.

Midfielder Jasmine Boyers was a standout in the midfield with her lead from the front mentality, together with Teigan McCarty in a similar role and hard working winger Adrienne Martin.

Alkamilya continued its good form in the Senior Women’s competition in Round 5. Picture: Charlie Lowson / AFLNT Media

“Jasmine was our best player by a long way and really embraced the challenge in front of her,’’ Verrier said.

“We’ve been challenged in the last few weeks and we’ve managed to bring our best attributes to the competition knowing we’re the hunted ones.

“Every game is like a final and credit to the other teams, they’ve really pushed us over the last couple of weeks where our girls have really stood up and embraced every challenge.’’

Pioneer continued its resurgence with a hard fought nine-point win over West Alice Springs, coach Fred Campbell impressed with the E-Girls’ defensive efforts against last season’s women’s grand finalists.

“Credit to Wests, they outscored us but just couldn’t kick straight with our girls doing very well with their pressure and work around the ball,’’ Campbell said.

Madisen Davis-Tahere was the Rock of Gibraltar at full back for the E-Girls, while Bess McMahon’s rise as one of the competition’s best rucks continues after another disciplined performance in her first year in the game.

“Bess did very well by following up on her second efforts and doing the job I asked her to do,’’ Campbell said.

Taren White down back and up forward, and Lahni Gilby were other good players in a Pioneer side heading full steam into the finals.

Wests coach Alicia Stanley said her side had their chances to win the game, with Georgia Calub superb in the ruck and around the ground where she took a series of contested marks.

Harriet Scandol across half back was another good player for Wests and Tiff Tregea’s clearance work and strong work ethic around the ball was important for the Bloods.

Rovers beat Souths by 26 points at Albrecht Oval in a win described by new coach Sean Sandry as a “committed team effort’’.

“They came together as a team and played that way after training hard all week, every player contributed to the win,’’ Sandry said.

Originally published as Men’s premiers Pioneer and women’s league leaders Alkamilya made to work for wins