Pioneers, South Alice Springs and Alkamilya get big Round 6 CAFL wins

Pioneer and South Alice Springs took home big wins despite missing players to rep commitments, while Alkamilya continue to be set the standard in the women’s comp.

Last year’s grand finalists Pioneer and South Alice Springs both had a Round 6 to remember in the CAFL, while Alkamilya continued to dominate the women’s competition.

With several top-line players wearing the yellow and black CAFL jumper against Waratah, last year’s top sides grabbed important wins against Rovers and Wests.

Meanwhile, in women’s football it was once again Alkamilya who impressed beating new side Federal by 56 points as Pioneer won its second game of the season.

It was the sixth win for the Panthers in as many starts and established them as firm favourites to win their third flag in the women’s league.

The Pioneer men had to work hard to shake off a persistent Wests in their match at Albrecht Oval before kicking away in the final quarter to win by 45 points.

Eric Williams booted a match-winning seven goals from key forward in his side’s third successive win.

Jayden McMasters, Waylon Doolan and Darren Porter also impressed getting their hands around the football on numerous occasions.

A Pioneer side missing nine of their best players pulled off an important win against Wests. Picture: Charlie Lowson / AFLNT Media

Eagles’ president Jawoyn Cole-Manolis was impressed by the intensity showed by his side on an occasion when nine of his players were in Darwin on rep duty.

“We had four players making their A-Grade debut – Jacob Ross, Robert Nardoo, Kyran Cole-Manolis and Keilan Drovis – and they all played their part,” he said.

South Alice Springs returned to the winners’ list following back-to-back losses to Pioneer and Federal.

The Kangaroos also had to call in some of their under-18 players against Rovers with Sieran Charles, Wayne Watts and Donneil Timouth in the side which won by 28 points.

Jamal Lynch booter four goals to help see his side through to their 15.10 (100) to 10.12 (72) win, while Charles impressed on debut with a best on ground performance in the ruck.

Alkamilya’s winning streak stretched to six matches when they held the league’s new side Federal to just one goal.

NTFL leading goal scorer Kaitlyn Armstrong spearheaded the side with five goals on the way to the Panthers’ 9.9 (63) to 1.1 (7) win.

Gabrielle King worked hard on the win, while Jasmine Boyers and Shoneeka Abbott in the midfield were also strong contributors.

Joint coach Raymond Walters said the warmer weather and his side’s aerial dominance were big factors in the win.

“It was a bit of a tussle in the first two quarters where both sides were hard at the ball in the contests on the ground,” he said.

“But our ability to play tall and succeed in link plays was the difference in the end.”

Alkamilya are the dominant favourites to take out the 2023 women's CAFL premiership. Picture: Charlie Lowson / AFLNT Media

The Fred Campbell coached Pioneer beat Wests in their Saturday morning clash, but credited Wests who have been missing last season’s Margaret Liddle winner Caitlin Couch.

“I was proud of my girls and the effort they put in against a pretty good Wests missing a lot of players,” Campbell said.

“Couch has moved down to play with South Adelaide in the SANFL and there are other players not there.

“But for us a lot of young girls from the under-16s stepped up and did well for us in what was a real team effort.

“Samantha Hill did really well for us in the backline and Keomi Ross through the midfield was very efficient.”

And Lucy Nicolai dominated for Rovers in their 5.6 (36) to 4.3 (27) win over a courageous Souths outfit.

Renee Smith and Brylee Kerrin were also busy players over the four quarters.

The Community Men’s competition moved into Round 3 with three of their top four sides recording impressive wins at Traeger Park.

Top of the ladder Titjikala beat Mt Allan by 71 points, third placed Western Aranda beat ninth placed Utju by 106 and Papunya outlasted sixth-placed Ariparra by 31 points.

Fifth placed Ti Tree gave its percentage a massive boost with a 170-point thumping of Mutijulu in their lunchtime game on Sunday.