Ranku Eagles too classy for the Tapalinga Superstars in the Tiwi Island Football League Grand Final

RANKU did a Nightcliff on Bathurst Island on Sunday when they beat the Tapalinga Superstars in another showpiece Tiwi Island Football League grand final

The Ranku Eagles are the 2019-20 Tiwi Island Football League champions. Picture: Che Chorley

RANKU did a Nightcliff on Bathurst Island on Sunday when they beat the Tapalinga Superstars in the Tiwi Island Football League grand final.

The Eagles grabbed their first back-to-back flags with ta comprehensive 12.14 (86) to 9.8 (62) win in front of 3200 fans at Wurrumiyanga on Bathurst Island.

The game again lived up to all the pre-match hype, despite visiting spectator restrictions due to the threat of the worldwide coronavirus.

Visiting media were the only non-islanders at the game, with Bathurst locals joined in big numbers by their Melville Island neighbours.

League spokesman Willie Rioli said medical people were on hand to check fans arriving by air for possible fluctuating temperatures and asking them if they were feeling OK.

“That was before they set foot on the island, which was great in terms of preventing any potential health problems,’’ Rioli said.

“But we were totally prepared for anything that was not normal and for the island people that was important because of their continued passion for their game.’’

Ranku led at every change, stretching their lead out to 30 points at three quarter-time before the Superstars staged a last term revival.

They closed to within 12 points with plenty of time left before Brother Pye medallist Ian Tipungwuti took charge and steered the Eagles home to wild celebrations from the large contingent of fans in blue and yellow.

The goals were shared by players from both sides, but a 45-year-old in Ranku colours captured the public’s attention with a brace of goals.

Graham “Aeroplane’’ Puruntatameri, the former Imalu Tiger, Waratah, Tiwi Bombers and Wanderers forward, added to his 45 goals from the minor rounds that won him the prestigious David Kantilla trophy for the league’s leading goalkicker.

Rioli said the game was played in great spirit, despite the number of big hits and bumps that come with the premiership decider.

Ranku’s Cannis Tipuamantamirri won the Ted Whitten Medal in Thursday’s vote count to complete a winning double for the league’s new powerhouse.

RANKU 3.4 7.8 10.12 12.14 (86)

TAPALINGA 2.2 4.4 6.6 9.8 (62)

GOALS — Ranku: V Puautjimi 3 G Puruntatameri 2 I Tipungwuti 2 R Pupangamirri 2 C Puruntatameri Jr 2 T Tipungwuti C Puruntatameri Jr J Pupangamirri. Tapalinga: Q Ross 3 L Tipungwuti G Cunningham A Kerinaiua Jr H Kerinaiua J Tipuamantimirri M Cooper.

BEST — Ranku: I Tipungwuti (Pye Medal) R Pupangamirri V Puautjimi. Tapalinga: Q Ross G Cunningham H Keriniaua.