CAFL 2024: South Alice Springs beat Pioneer in Round 13
South Alice Springs showed their grit as they claimed the Foster-Webb Cup, while the Rovers’ women won their eighth game in a row in a big Round 13. Check out the latest CAFL action here.
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South Alice Springs got a double blast of victory celebrations after their tough Round 13 win over Pioneer saw them claim the annual Foster-Webb Cup.
The Kangaroos moved to within a game off second-placed Pioneer when they led their match all night before claiming a 12.9 (81) to 11.6 (72) win.
The nine-point win means they retain the prestigious trophy on top of winning their fifth game in nine starts through the 2024 CAFL season.
Midfielder Henry Impu was superb for the blue and white, even kicking an important goal in the last quarter to keep a surging Pioneer at bay.
Coach Chris Forbes was rapt with the win against a Pioneer side that pushed them right to the final siren.
“We knew they would come out hard in search of a win after we beat them comfortably back in Round 6,” Forbes said.
“And to be truthful, if there had have been a couple more minutes they might have won the game.”
Forbes and his players have a three-week break until their next big assignment, a matchup with defending premier and ladder leaders Federal.
The premiers flexed their muscles against bottom side Wests in the early game at Traeger Park, winning by 115 points in a quiet show of class.
Three-time league best and fairest Abe Ankers put on a clinic in Federal’s 22.14 (146) to 5.1 (31) win over a brave but overwhelmed Wests outfit.
His five goals in among a big possession game steered the red and white to their seventh of the season while lifting their percentage past the 200-mark.
Daniel Gorry up forward, Geordie Lelliott across half forward and Jason Wilmot on a wing were other good players for Federal.
Assistant coach Izaak Ankers said his side’s consistency across four quarters when they averaged more than five goals a term was the big positive to come out of the win.
“We’re starting to build a bit of momentum now and while a result like that is always good, the four quarter effort means a lot more,” he said.
Unbeaten ladder leader Rovers won their eighth game in as many starts in the Senior Women’s competition when they held off a courageous Alkamilya at Traeger Park.
The Double Blues caught the goal kicking yips despite dominating the inside 50s, booting an incredible 4.17 (41) to Alkamilya’s 1.5 (11).
Stand-in Rover coach Rob Clarke said reigning premiers Alkamilya fought hard for four quarters despite his side winning the possession race by a long way.
“They didn’t give up for one second and worked hard all night and looked very dangerous at times, they’re definitely a force to be reckoned with,” he added.
Blues ruck Brooke Wilson’s return from injury was a positive despite playing out of position in a wing-follower role where she won a series of crucial possessions.
Ebony Abbott-McCormack was a focal point up forward where she kicked two of her side’s four goals and Denika Braun through the middle found plenty of the football.
Second-placed Wests were made to work by Federal in Friday’s late game before winning by 14 points.
The Bloods’ star midfielder Caitlin Couch played a starring role a week after winning a premiership with South Adelaide in the SANFLW.
Couch kicked three goals in Wests’ 4.5 (29) to 2.3 (15) win and was an important player on her return to the side with her long kicking.
Dalyce Jenner in the ruck gave her midfielders first use of the football and Tiffany Tregea’s ability to win the contested ball, combined with the pace of Jess Harnischfeger and Sophia Jaques and guidance of Bridie Carmichael down back were other big factors.
Coach David James was impressed with the workrate of the Federal side, saying they were “really good” in the narrow loss.
Third-placed Pioneer won its first game in five weeks when Souths could not find enough players to field a side.
Federal leap back on top of CAFL ladder
Federal jumped back to the top of the Central Australian Football League ladder when it beat a persistent Rovers by 32 points in their Round 12 clash at Traeger Park.
The Demons’ 13.14 (92) to 9.6 (60) win lifted their percentage over the 190 mark as they continue their hunt for back-to-back Senior Men’s premierships.
Federal should have been more than 29 points in front at halftime when inaccuracy in front of goals meant a return of seven goals from 15 shots at the big sticks
Then Rovers recovered from a scoreless first quarter to kick three goals of their own to punish those earlier missed shots.
Three-goal utility Abe Ankers was a busy player for Federal on a day when his side booted seven goals in the first half and six in the next to stay ahead of a Rovers side going for its third straight win.
“We had some good performers on the day as we look to slowly put things together for the business end of the year,” Ankers said.
“Of those, Ryan Casey was very good down back, Robby Bartee was a target up forward where he played very well and Braydon Weily, Dan Gorry and Ariki Lowe through the midfield were pretty sensational.”
South Alice Springs spearhead Daniel Stafford kicked seven goals from a variety of contested marks and fast leads to steer the Kangaroos to a 110-point win over Wests in the late game at Traeger Park.
Stafford’s presence in the key forward post was too much for the under siege Wests backline, who had to contend with a Souths midfield intent on pumping the football towards goal and Stafford.
Henry Impu was a big factor through the centre for Souths, while Jesiah Minor celebrated his first game in a blue and white jumper since crossing from Federal by kicking four goals.
Souths coach Chris Forbes was quick to praise his players after the 22.16 (148) to 6.2 (38) win lifted his side to third on the Senior Men’s ladder.
“That was a good response after last week’s loss (to Rovers), but while we’ll enjoy the win and the four points, it’s important we focus on the big game against Pioneer next week,” Forbes said.
“The Foster-Webb Cup that’s up for grabs is a big game for both clubs and the Alice Springs competition and we’ll be very keen to win it.”
Tanner Coulthard and Antonio Riley were the best for Wests, who were in the game in the first quarter before falling away against the rampaging Roos.
The Senior Women had a full round bye, with the six sides given a chance to recharge their batteries for the last six rounds and the run into the finals.
Rovers are unbeaten after seven matches, boosting their percentage to 881 in the process while under the guidance of new coach Renee Smith.
Another first year coach, David James, has last season’s grand finalists West Alice Springs primed for a big shot at the club’s first women’s flag.
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Originally published as CAFL 2024: South Alice Springs beat Pioneer in Round 13
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