Federal or Pioneer get a chance to end Rovers’ fourpeat quest by gaining a grand final berth

CAFL preliminary finalists Federal and Pioneer aiming for a grand final matchup against reigning premier Rovers

Curtly Hampton will be a key to getting Pioneer into its first CAFL Grand Final since 2016. Picture: Charlie Lowson

FEDERAL and Pioneer can grab their own piece of Central Australian Football League history in tomorrow’s preliminary final.

In a competition dominated by Rovers since 2017, both combatants have an opportunity to place a new name in the premiership window by qualifying for the September 19 decider against the double blue jumpers.

Federal will snap a three-year grand final drought if they can get over the Eagles tomorrow, while 31-time CAFL premiers Pioneer has not played in a premiership decider since beating Federal in a three-point thriller in 2010.

Both sides won tough semi-final matches last week and know the path to this season’s grand final can only be cleared by playing 100 minutes of football.

Both sides have running back lines, midfielders who can find the ball and multiple goals scoring options.

Federal’s coach Dave Thomas said there plenty of positive vibes around his club despite the seven-point loss to Rovers in the major semi-final.

“Last week was really positive for us and while it was really frustrating not to get the win, our fellas showed our best is really good,’’ Thomas said.

“We’ve still got stuff to work on with everyone available, including players from our reserves who are already in the grand final.’’

Federal has got maximum value from Kimberley goalkicker Waylon Manson in its last three matches where the big spearhead has returns of five, five and six goals.

Abe Ankers is a proven big game player and Liam Holt-Fitz, Jarrod Tregenza and Ned Gaynor were good contributors in the semi-final loss.

“The moos around the club is very upbeat, they’re a great group of fellas and really positive about the challenge in front of us every week,’’ Thomas said.

“We haven’t looked past Pioneer for a second, we know they’ll be desperate to play in a grand final again.’’

Eagles coach Danny Measures is happy with side’s progress to the preliminary final and the quality players he has at both ends of the ground.

“It’s a been a different season with the COVID-19 pandemic and several footballers coming to town from interstate looking for a game of footy,’’ Measures said.

“And Federal has been a good side all year with the likes of (Hugo) Drogemuller, Abe Ankes who I rate in the best five on-ballers in the Territory and of course, big Manson down forward who can cause a few headaches for us.

“Willie Foster is one option we’ve got to line up on Manson, but I’m been happy with our back six all year with the likes of Reuben Mack, Sabian Liddle, Lachlan Lake and Jackson Cole I haven’t had to change anything through the course of the season.

“Those four lads are as tough as nails and they give you 150 per cent every match.’’

Pioneer has multiple goalkicking options through the likes of Shawn Foster, Chris Williams, the Hampton brothers (Curtly and Jamie) and Clayton Walker capable of big hauls.