Danika McDonald kicks five goals for Pioneer in CAFL Round 5 win
A young gun kicked five goals to propel her side to a strong win, while the undefeated Federal remain in command in the men’s competition. Catch up on the latest CAFL action.
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The Federal express kept moving through the Central Australia Football League after Round 5 action in the Senior Men’s competition, while a young gun kicked five in the women’s comp.
The Demons beat a persistent Rovers by 23 points at Jim McConville Oval in another display of class under new coach John Glasson.
On the debit side, their women lost for the first time this season, dropping to second on the ladder when the Anthony McGuire coached Rovers held them scoreless for three quarters before completing a 25-point win.
There were more highlights in the men’s competition when reigning premier Pioneer booted six goals to two in the last quarter of their clash with South Alice Springs to win by 24 points.
That was after the scores were tied at three quarter time after a tight contest where the result looked like going down to the wire at Albrecht Oval.
Federal coach John Glasson was full of praise for defender Lachlan Dunemann and midfielder Alonzo Nelson after his side’s 9.14 (68) to 6.9 (45) win over Rovers.
His Demons were outscored in the last quarter when the Double Blues kicked four goals to one to reduce the margin to just under four goals.
“Dunemann was very good for us down back and on-ball in the last quarter, while Alonzo continues to go about his business when he might be small in stature but big in what he does out there on the footy field,” Glasson said.
Rovers got maximum value from Kaleel Ross and Issaha Forbes as coach Fred Campbell’s side continues to impress under the guidance of the former Sydney and St Kilda forward.
Pioneer coach Steven Hayes said his players had decided to play their best footy in a decisive last quarter that secured a 15.14 (104) to 11.14 (80) win.
“We played some good footy when we kicked six in the last quarter against a Souths side that put up a big show against us,” Hayes said.
Veteran Eagle Matt Campbell put in another masterclass with three goals, while Isaiah Miller through the midfield and Nelson Anders up forward got plenty of the ball.
Rovers trio Demi-Lee Braun, Keeley Bishop and Brylee Kerrin were in dominant form against Federal, Braun and Carly Wilson kicking two goals in a 5.7 (37) to 2.0 (12) win.
Coach Anthony McGuire pointed to the discipline and efficiency of his defence in keeping the highly rated Federal scoreless until the last quarter as a big factor in the win.
Skipper Keialah Satour and Ashleigh Lynch in the last line were precise in getting their hands on the football and spreading it to teammates, with good support from the likes of Paparauwhare Motuhinau.
Last season’s grand finalists Wests jumped back to the top of the ladder when they beat Alkamilya by 23 points in their night game at Albrecht Oval.
That was the margin at halftime when Wests kicked five goals to one, a scoreline that remained the same when both sides failed to kick a goal in the second half.
Pioneer beat the inexperienced Souths by 88 points in their lunchtime game at Albrecht Oval.
Danika McDonald kicked five goals for the Eagles women in a 15.8 (98) to 1.4 (10) win that left them in fifth position and 47 percentage points behind fourth-placed Alkamilya.
The 2025 season goes into recess for two weeks, resuming on Saturday, June 14 with Round 7 fixtures.
The Melbourne-St Kilda AFL Round 12 clash is scheduled for Traeger Park in Alice Springs on Sunday, June 1 and the Finke Desert Race from June 5-9.
Federal lead the pack across CAFL divisions
Federal sit on top of the Central Australia Football League men’s and women’s ladders after unbeaten starts to the 2025 season.
The Demons men won their third match in a row when they beat a determined West Alice Springs by 29 points at Albrecht Oval.
Their women’s side also retained an unbeaten start to the season by edging past last season’s grand finalists Wests by a single goal in a midday clash.
Men’s coach John Glasson watched his players kick an inaccurate 10.20 (80) to 8.3 (51) against an opposition that made them work for every mark and kick.
“It was a tough hitout after the bye last week,” Glasson said.
“Plus we had eight changes to the side from two weeks ago against Souths, so we needed to make some adjustments.”
Federal got maximum value from Ben Durkin on a wing in his first game of the season and Alonzo Nelson across half forward, while Jack Nugent in a forward-midfield role was another standout for the red and whites.
Wests played some classy football in the first quarter when they kicked five goals to two but were unable to maintain their momentum for the rest of the match.
It was a similar situation at Jim McConville Oval where Souths jumped Rovers with a five-goal to one first quarter before the Double Blues responded with nine of the last 12 goals to win by 16 points, 10.11 (71) to 8.7 (55).
Connor Dunne, Tyreeq AhFat and Lucas Ross were prominent after quarter time in Rovers’ second win from three starts under new coach Fred Campbell.
Reggie Smith Junior’s Kangaroos have shown they will be competitive this season after changes in the playing and coaching ranks.
In women’s football Federal won the battle of the unbeaten sides when it beat Wests by a goal in what turned into a genuine arm wrestle.
Wests kicked the first goal of the match in the second quarter and held Federal goalless until the third quarter when the Lady Demons finally hit the scoreboard.
Coach Conor Harnischfeger said his players were able to put the clamp on the Wests players in what was a tough game of football for the whole four quarters.
“Wests got out to 8-0 in the second quarter before we were able to get our hands on the footy and organise our forward positions,” he added.
“From there we slowly got the upper hand, but it wasn’t until Chloe Pitt’s goal from 40 metres out in the third that we hit the front and managed to hold the lead.”
Charlotte Rudd in the midfield, surprise packet Lily Aco in the ruck and Maddelyn Benecke in a crucial role at centre half-back were the best for Federal.
Wests were best served by the consistent Gigi Dadds across the centre, while league best and fairest Jess Harnischfeger and Florence Bourke were prominent.
The Alkamilya Panthers were too good for Pioneer in Saturday’s early game, kicking 7.16 (58) to 3.0 (18) after holding their rivals scoreless in the first half.
Coach Cyril Rioli Jr was impressed with his side’s intensity against a Pioneer side that had beaten reigning premier Rovers a week earlier.
“Coaches want their players to play out four quarters and we did that, even though we would have liked to have seen them kick straighter,” Rioli said.
Rookie Panther Kylie Huxtable was superb in the middle of the ground, while skipper Danielle Woods booted four goals and five behinds after being moved up forward.
Pioneer enjoy successful CAFL Round 3
Reigning Central Australia Football League premier Pioneer has bounced back from a first-round loss to grab two successive wins and top spot on the senior men’s ladder.
The Eagles beat Rovers by 12 points at Albrecht Oval in Saturday’s round three clash to jump above last season’s grand final opponent Federal.
Waylon Manson (five goals) and WA recruit Wes Steele (three) kicked eight goals between them in Pioneer’s 11.15 (81) to 10.9 (69) win.
Coach Steven Hayes said his side’s will to win and ability to lift their intensity in a game that could have gone either way was a big positive in the early weeks of the season.
“Back-to-back wins after that first round loss (to Federal) when we were over run is a good result for everyone,” Hayes said.
“It is a privilege for me to coach this club, they are a great bunch of men who want to play their best footy every week.”
Young Eagle Kavahn Rodger in a wing, defensive role and reliable full back Shawn Foster were the best for Pioneer, with Rodger earning special praise from his coach.
“Kavahn was good on his wing, but we chucked him down back when it got tight and he was strong with his footy smarts and attack on the footy,” Hayes said.
Shaydan Close and Deacon Braun were Rovers’ best in a game where the Double Blues were left to rue a goalless second quarter after a four-goal first term.
West Alice Springs broke the ice in the 2025 season with a come-from-behind 11-point win over a gutsy Souths at Jim McConville Oval.
The Bloods’ 10.9 (69) to 8.10 (58) win lifted them to third on the league ladder.
Coach Ben Ellis was a relieved man when the final siren blew to signal his side’s first win in the new season.
“It was nice to get on the board after a couple of losses, especially when the momentum changed all day,” he said.
“They were two goals in front with 10 minutes left before we hit the front and went on with it.”
Midfielders Jackson Renzi and Jordan Bailey were big factors through the midfield for the black and red jumpers, while the consistent Cohen Thiele kicked four goals for Wests.
Orlando Turner and Akiel Webb were the best for Reggie Smith Jr’s side who will be kicking themselves after losing a match they led with the time clock in their favour.
In women’s football Wests and Federal went to three wins from three matches after contrasting wins over Souths and Alkamilya.
Federal held on to beat the Cyril Rioli coached Alkamilya by a point despite not troubling the scoreboard attendant in the last quarter.
The Lady Demons looked in control at three quarter time when they led by 26 points but went to sleep in the last 15 minutes before winning by a single point, 4.8 (32) to 5.1 (31).
Inspired performances from Alkamilya trio Danielle Woods, Bella Foster and Kylie Huxtable almost stole a win in a thrilling finish.
Federal were led by Maddelyn Benecke, Sian Furniss and Horiana James in a game coach Jackson Ankers will take several positives from.
Pioneer coach Hamish McDonald watched his side come from behind in the dying minutes to beat defending premier Rovers in another one point game.
The 4.4 (28) to 4.3 (27) win was the Eagles’ first in the new season, achieved with the minimum 16 players on the ground and no interchange.
“The girls showed a lot of courage and intent on achieving what was a really good win,” McDonald said.
“Player shortage again played its part for us, but getting three girls from Tennant Creek helped us get over the line.”
Skipper Danika McDonald at centre half-back was an important player for the Eagles, while Stephanie Summerfield down back and midfielders Madison Staples-Kunoth and Armani Francois got plenty of the ball.
The unbeaten Wests kicked 19 goals without reply against Souths to lift their percentage to a massive 1270 in a 122-point win.
Michelle Ellis booted five goals to lift her season’s tally to nine, the same number Federal’s Libby Taylor has after the first three rounds.
Harriet Scandol, Annabelle Glossop and Tiffany Tregea got leather poisoning from the amount of ball they hunted down against the young Kangaroos.
Federal continues to set pace as Rovers women return to winning ways
Federal has set the early pace in the CAFL Senior Men’s competition after wins over last season’s grand final conquerors Pioneer and preliminary finalists Souths.
The Bloods played superb team football to beat Souths by 71 points in their Round 2 clash at Jim McConville Oval, kicking 21.7 (133) to 9.8 (62) in a four-quarter performance that pleased their first year coach John Glasson.
“It was an outstanding win by a group of fellas I handed the reins over to before the game and they certainly produced the goods,” Glasson said.
“Their cohesiveness when they had the ball and when they had to get it back from the opposition carried on from last week’s win.”
Abe Ankers in his customary midfield-forward role was back to his very best, while Ariki Lowe on a wing and captain Braydon Weily were big possession getters.
Glasson was mesmerised by the skills of Selwyn Gaykamangu and found plenty of positives for Tom Hynes at full back, Nathan “Nitro” Mutch and Patrick Coffey.
South showed glimpses of form in the big loss, outscoring Federal in the last term to add some respectability to the scoreboard.
Pioneer got back on the winners’ list with a comfortable 43-point win over West Alice Springs, new recruit Wesley Steele booting six goals on debut.
The West Australian took a number of big marks and kicked accurately in a performance Pioneer coach Steven Hayes described as a genuine Christmas present.
“Wes was a big target for us, we reckon it was a Christmas present having him up there with our young blokes getting a lot of the ball and using it very well in what was a discipline performance,” Hayes said.
In women’s football reigning premier Rovers bounced back from a big loss to Wests in the opening round by beating Alkamilya by 81 points in a twilight game at Albrecht Oval.
The Double Blues had a big slice of their SANFLW players on board and played accordingly.
Ebony Abbott-McCormack kicked six goals in a mix of forward and midfield duties and Doreena Hansen four in a high half forward role.
Coach Anthony McGuire said it was crucial they got back on the winners’ list after an undermanned Rovers
“It was very important we bounced back from that loss to Westies and we were very well led by experienced players like Ebony, Lara Harding through the midfield and Doreena,” McGuire said.
“Having them back in our line-up gave us an opportunity to look at what our best can look like this season and an awareness on my part on where we can put the magnets on matchdays.”
Wests continued its winning start to the new season by beating an undermanned Pioneer by 52 points.
Caitlin Couch was at her brilliant best, booting five goals in her traditional roles as a midfielder alongside Gigi Dadds and Jo-Anna Kenny who found plenty of the ball.
The Lady Bloods’ coach Hope McSkehan said a second straight win to start the new season were important steps for her side.
“When you reflect on the game it was our ball use that was impressive against a Pioneer side that did really well despite a lack of playing numbers,” she said.
Federal kept South Alice Springs scoreless while kicking 29 goals of their own in a 186-point win over the brave but outclassed Roos.
Libby Taylor was all class in an eight-goal performance up forward, while Charlotte Rudd and Alice Faulks booted four each for the ladder leaders.
Revenge dealt in CAFL grand final rematches
A six-goal to two last quarter lifted Federal to a come-from-behind 12-point win over reigning CAFL premier Pioneer in their grand final rematch at Traeger Park at the weekend.
The Demons trailed for three quarters before a last quarter comeback produced a morale boosting 10.13 (73) to 8.13 (61) win.
New Federal coach John Glasson described the win as the most courageous he had been a part of in a long association with the game.
“We were forced to make about 10 changes to the side we selected on Thursday night and still ran over the top of them in the last quarter,’’ Glasson said.
“The whole side lifted when it counted, it was a real team effort from every player out there and it sets us up for a big season.
“Of course we would have preferred to be the reigning premiers, but to beat a very good side like Pioneer in the manner we did is a big plus for all the players.”
Harry Armstrong running out of a back pocket was Federal’s best, alongside fullback Tom Hynes, while under-18 ruckman Libron Watson dominated the aerial contests in his second match in 24 hours.
Glasson was also impressed with skipper Braydon Weilly’s ability to lead from the front and 17-year-old wingman Hartley Roe in his league debut for the club.
Pioneer joint coach Steven Hayes was disappointed in his side’s inability to run out the game.
“Our fitness let us down in the last quarter when it really counted, no one wants to lose a game of footy like that,” Hayes said.
Shawn Foster at fullback and Nelson Ander around the ball were the Eagles’ best players.
Rovers gave former player Fred Campbell the perfect homecoming when the Double Blues beat West Alice Springs by 105 points in their twilight game at Traeger Park.
Tosh Kunoth (seven goals), Tyson Woods (five) and Kaleel Ross (four) feasted on the Bloods defence in Rovers’ 21.9 (135) to 4.6 (30) win.
“It was pretty impressive to watch the players come together as a team and each one contribute to the win,” Campbell said.
“It was hard to pick out individual players, but Toshy’s seven goals, Kaleel’s four goals on debut for us and the combination of Deacon Braun and Billy Pareroultja in the centre worked well.”
Josh Wallace and Colin Thiele were standouts for Wests in a game Ben Ellis and his coaching staff would have got some positives from.
In the senior women, Wests got some form of revenge for their narrow loss to Rovers in last season’s premiership decider when they beat the reigning premier by 60 points.
First year coach Hope McSkehan said the combination of a big pre-season and the sight of a Rovers side with only 16 players meant her side was ready to go in the grand final rematch.
“I was pretty confident in the team we’ve put together this year and we’ve got a lot of players to pick from, so to win that well was a good start to the season,” McSkehan said.
“Michelle Ellis dominated up forward for us with four goals in her comeback to Alice footy after three years out through injury, Gigi Dadds around the ball and down back late in the game was very good and Florence Bourke in the ruck who dominated after a quarter warming up.”
In other games Charlotte Rudd around the ball, Lily Zofia in defence and strong marking ruck Sian Furniss were the best for Federal in their 7.4 (46) to 3.2 (20) win.
The red and white led all day despite Pioneer closing to within a goal at the main break.
Federal coach Jackson Ankers said his side’s rustiness after a seven-month lay-off had been countered by their intensity around the ball against a quality opponent.
Alkamilya had too much class for Souths in Wednesday night’s season opener at Albrecht Oval.
The Cyril Rioli coached Panthers won 18.15 (123) to 0.1 (1) in a big pointer towards their premiership chances in the 2025 season.
Originally published as Danika McDonald kicks five goals for Pioneer in CAFL Round 5 win
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