Alice Springs premiers Rovers revelling at the top of the CAFL ladder

ALICE SPRINGS premiers Rovers have gone to the top of the Central Australian Football League ladder after a commanding 16-goal win over Wests

Rovers players celebrate their big win over Wests in their Traeger Park changeroom. Picture: Alecia Clarke

ALICE SPRINGS premiers Rovers went to the top of the Central Australian Football League ladder after a commanding 16-goal win over Wests on Saturday.

The Double Blues jumped over Federal after two rounds with the Demons idle due to a bye when they booted 23.11 (149) to Wests’ 8.7 (55).

Dylan Barry through the middle and half forward picked up numerous possessions and booted two goals in conjunction with Peter Nash, who kicked four goals without a miss in a similar role.

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Tosh Kunoth helped himself to five goals from a forward flank and spearhead Nigel Lockyer Jr took his season’s tally into double figures with another six-goal haul.

Rovers coach Rob Clarke was happy with his side’s goalkicking after their opening-round win over Souths produced 17 goals from 32 deliberate shots.

‘‘We’re going OK, the massive break we had because of the COVID-19 (pandemic) means we’ve got to tighten up on a few things,’’ a relaxed Clarke said.

“That also means working on a few other areas where we can improve.

“But it’s a good start to the season, no doubt about that, especially when we improved on our scoring accuracy after the first week.’’

Pioneer came from three points down at halftime to beat Souths, Clayton Walker booting four crucial goals in the Eagles’ hard-fought 11.10 (76) to 10.11 (71) win.

Tennant Creek and Territory Thunder star Matt Green was Pioneer’s best in a forward-midfield role, along with Sabian Liddle and Jawoyn Cole around the ball.

Tommy Lee Jones and Cheyne Miles were other good contributors in the club’s first win of the season.

The young Eagles showed a fierce desire for the football with their ability to win the ball on the inside.

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Souths were best served by their dual-pronged forward line of Liam Jurrah and Daniel Stafford, who kicked six of their side’s 10 goals in an early reminder to opposition defences they will be big hurdles to jump as the Centralian season progresses.

The women’s competition produced two big wins.

Rovers held Wests scoreless in their 10.5 (65)-to-nil win, Kyane Campbell booting four goals for the winners.

And the E-Girls turned on a clinic, beating Souths by 137 points, 20.17 (137) to nil.