Federal and South Alice Springs win in Round 18 of the 2024 CAFL season
Souths secured the crucial finals double chance alongside minor premiers Federal, while the Rovers women completed an unbeaten season as heavy favourites. Check out the latest CAFL action.
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Souths Alice Springs secured the precious double chance in Alice Springs football when it beat West Alice Springs to bounce past Pioneer on the ladder.
The Kangaroos’ 19.11 (125) to a game Wests’ 13.10 (88) qualified them for a second semi-final matchup against reigning premier Federal.
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Defending premier Federal beat Rovers by 59 points to seal their ninth win from 12 games and the minor premiership that set their sights on back-to-back senior flags.
Souths were without several senior players for the must-win game against the Bloods.
But they did enough to lead all day and sealed the win with a six-goal to two third quarter.
Young gun Mythius Stuart was his side’s best player after a big possession game on a wing, while Robert Smith’s five goals as a replacement full forward were important in his side’s 37-point win.
Henry Impu continued his good form in the midfield in a performance the Souths coaching staff hope is a sign of things to come in the finals.
Souths coach Chris Forbes said his side’s focus now switched to Federal and an opportunity to take the short route to the grand final with a win in the August 24 grand final qualifier.
“It’s going to be interesting, we’ll get a whole lot of players back like Daniel Stafford, Bradley Turner, Deacon Braun and Joshiah Minor back,” Forbes said.
“So we’ll be close to full strength for what is a replay of last season’s grand final when Feds got over us, so hopefully it will be different next week.”
Federal put on a quiet show of class with its win over fourth-placed Rovers at Traeger Park.
Midfielder Abe Ankers again led from the front in the Demons’ 16.10 (106) to 7.5 (47) win over Rovers, who meet Pioneer in next week’s first semi-final.
Ben Durkin in cohorts with Ankers in the middle and ace defender Pat Coffey were other standouts in a performance assistant coach Izaak Ankers described as a “good dress rehearsal” for next week’s major semi-final.
“We definitely had to find another gear in the second half after they took the game right up to us in the first two quarters,” he said.
“Our midfield was dominant after half-time and that was fantastic, so it was a perfect rehearsal for the finals.”
Robbie Bartee booted five goals in an unfamiliar role at full forward and half forward Dane Sanson three against the Double Blues defence.
In the Senior Women Rovers completed an unbeaten season with its resounding 103-point win over Federal.
The smooth moving Double Blues women enter next week’s second semi-final against Wests in a confident frame of mind after 12 consecutive wins in the minor round.
An inaccurate Wests kicked 10.20 (80) to Souths’ single point in their last minor round game against the Lady Roos.
Coach David James will work on his side’s goalkicking this week after they kicked 4.12 in the second half.
Lucie Burnod, Jessica Harnischfeger and Georgia Calub got their hands around the football on a regular basis as Wests aim for a breakthrough flag and a third consecutive grand final appearance.
Alkamilya’s premiership defence will begin with a knockout semi-final clash against Pioneer after they beat the fast finishing Eagles in a three-point thriller.
The Panthers looked set for a comfortable win in their last minor round game of the 2024 campaign when they led by 39 points at three quarter-time.
But Pioneer was not finished, booting six straight goals to nothing by Alkamilya to narrowly fall short of a confidence boosting win.
Alkamilya coach Jayden Prior pointed to the absence of injured players and leg weariness as the reason for the last quarter fadeout.
“Luckily enough we were able to hold on enough to get home, but full credit to Pioneer for that last quarter surge,” he said.
“We play Pioneer again in the first semi, so for us it’s a case of controlling what we can control and making sure we leave nothing in the tank.”
Rebecca Denyer through the middle, eight-goal spearhead Kaitlyn Armstrong, Jessica Price and Kahlisha Rioli stood out in the last-gasp win.
Pioneer and Souths lay down challenge for finals double chance
Pioneer and South Alice Springs reminded reigning CAFL premier Federal the 2024 finals series will be more than a one-horse race after morale boosting Round 17 wins.
Their wins over West Alice Springs and Rovers opened up a final round race for the coveted double chance between the Eagles and the Kangaroos before the finals commence on the second last Saturday in August.
Pioneer will watch from the sidelines in the final round courtesy of a bye while Souths meet bottom side West Alice Springs in a must-win game at Albrecht Oval.
Souths coach Chris Forbes is well aware of the task in front of his side after a hard fought win over Rovers.
“We’ve got to be ready for Wests in the last round, knowing the double chance is there if we really want it,” Forbes said.
“Rovers made us work for the win after we kicked 3.9 in the first quarter to a point and were pushed after that before we got the job done.”
Souths kicked 11 goals to Rovers’ 10 after their sloppy start before winning by 29 points, almost the same margin they led by at quarter time.
Duncan Oliver and David Wongway across half back were Souths best players, with Dominic Forbes through the middle of the ground also getting plenty of the ball.
Pioneer joint coach Adrian McAdam described his side’s 56-point win over Wests as a team performance after another eight-goal haul from Papunya spearhead Marcus McDonald inspired a 16.6 (102) to 6.10 (46) win.
“That’s what we’ve been looking for, a win where everyone can say they did something to contribute to the win as we get ready for the finals,” McAdam said.
“Marcus was obviously our best player by kicking eight with Waylon Manson unavailable and he teamed up with Shane Inkamala (three goals) pretty well.”
The Eagles have a bye next week, a situation McAdam is quite happy with as his players nurse some sore spots.
They will all watch the Souths-Wests game to find out if they will be in a second semi-final against Federal or a knockout first semi-final against Rovers on week one of the finals series.
Alkamilya’s five-point win over fifth-placed Federal in the Senior Women saw them jump to third position on the ladder as they prepare to defend last season’s flag.
The Panthers had to come from behind to beat Federal, who were held to a single goal in the last quarter while conceding three majors after leading at the last change.
New coach Jayden Prior was full of praise for spearhead and club captain Kaitlyn Armstrong, who kicked six match winning goals in her side’s 7.3 (45) to 6.4 (40) win.
“What can I say about Kaitlyn, she’s an absolute ripper to coach where she knows where the goals are,” Prior said.
“Every time she gets the ball we’re going to end up with a scoring opportunity for the team or she will kick a goal herself.
“It’s now a situation where we control what we can control, take it one week at a time and we’ll see what happens.”
Tamika Rumpff in an on-ball, tagging role, Armstrong and Lumyai Eager through the midfield and up forward were other good players for Alkamilya.
The Wests trio of Lucie Burnod, Caitlin Couch and Sophia Jaques starred in the Lady Bloods’ 44-point win over Pioneer that sealed the double chance.
There was nothing in the game at half-time when an inaccurate Wests led by seven points, but a six-goal to nil last half ensured Wests will play unbeaten ladder leaders Rovers in the second semi-final on August 24.
Rovers continued on their merry way with a 20-goal demolition of bottom side Souths.
The league’s leading goalkicker Ebony Abbott-McCormack kicked 10 superb goals to take her season’s tally to 40 in the Double Blues’ 18.10 (118) to 0.1 (1) win.
Skipper Lara Harding and Brylee Kerrin were other standouts with their clever work through the middle.
Souths boost CAFL credentials after win over premiers
South Alice Springs continued its push for a third consecutive CAFL Grand Final when it beat an undermanned Federal by 48 points in their Senior Men’s clash.
The Kangaroos were made to work by a Federal side without 12 of its starting 18 before sealing a 16.14 (110) to 9.8 (62) win with a five-goal to nil last quarter.
Big marking spearhead Daniel Stafford kicked six goals for Souths, supplied throughout the four quarters by best on ground Henry Impu through the midfield and on-baller Issaha Forbes.
Down back Dustin Oliver was a constant thorn in Federal’s side with his run and precise disposal to teammates further up the ground.
Coach Chris Forbes was pleased with the win while contemplating what his side has to do in the race for the much sought 2024 flag.
The Roos moved to within a game of Pioneer and the top two with two games left, while Pioneer has the bye in the last round.
“It’s all about player availability and training in the lead up to the finals,” Forbes said.
“We know Feds will have a very different side if we meet them in the finals and it’s something we’re well aware of.”
Pioneer ruckman Cheyne Miles said his side’s fitness and will to win got them over the line against a courageous Rovers at Traeger Park.
The Eagles won by 15 points despite some sloppy finishing in front of goals when they kicked 2.7 to an equally inaccurate Rovers’ 1.6 in the important third quarter.
Marcus McDonald’s eight goals after he started at full forward in the absence of Waylon Manson was the game breaker, with Liam McDonald in the midfield and up forward and Tyrell Woodbury other good players.
Veteran Eagle Matt Campbell again showed his class on the inside pursuing the contested ball and poise on the outside big factors in the win.
“We kept our cool in a tough game of footy where Rovers played some good footy and made us work,” Miles said.
“A win like that is important in our quest for a potential finals berth and the fact we only have one game left before the finals.”
In the Senior Women, top-of-the-ladder Rovers moved three games clear after their 17-point win over a determined Pioneer at Traeger Park.
Reigning premier Alkamilya caused the upset of the round when they led all day to beat Wests by two points in the match of the round.
Rovers’ ruck-forward Ebony Abbott-McCormack was the best player on the ground in a game she described as a wakeup call for the unbeaten ladder leaders.
The Double Blues kicked six goals to three against Pioneer, including the last three goals of the match after trailing by a point at half-time.
“That was one of our worst games of the season, there are definitely some areas we have to address before the finals,” Abbott-McCormack said.
“Pioneer played some tough footy in what was a very hard and tough game with no quarter given.”
Abbott McCormack’s work in the ruck and up forward earned her best on ground votes, with midfielder Doreena Hansen and defender Paparauwhare Motuhinau other consistent performers.
The Alkamilya Panthers led all match before beating the talented Wests side in a tough, no nonsense game.
Kaitlyn Armstrong’s four goals was the foundation stone for the premiers, who had three less scoring shots than their opponents but still held on to win.
Tamika Rumpff and Lumyai Eager were the best for last season’s grand finalists in a game where the Lady Bloods lost no friends.
Federal gave Jackson Ankers his second win as coach, kicking 17.11 (113) to South’s 0.3 (3), including a six-goal third quarter that featured some smart use of the football.
Federal win top of the table clash as CAFL finals draw closer
Federal has snapped a two-game losing streak against CAFL rivals Pioneer in Round 15 of the Alice Springs competition.
The reigning premier reversed two narrow losses to the Eagles this season with a hard fought 14.9 (93) to 11.9 (75) win in their top-of-the-table clash at Traeger Park.
The Demons’ eighth win from 10 starts this season was set up by a six-goal to two first quarter, forcing their opponents into catch-up football for the rest of the match.
Pioneer closed to within a goal in the third quarter but were unable to grab the lead against a Federal side eyeing back-to-back senior flags.
Assistant coach Izaac Ankers said the early lead proved vital against a Pioneer side that played some good football in the remaining three quarters.
“There’s no animosity between the two clubs, just a genuine contest that produced some good footy where we were in front at the end,” he said.
Tom Hynes was Federal’s best in key defensive roles at centre half-back and full back, Will “Symbols” Carlisle up forward and Braydon Weily in his familiar midfield role.
“Tom Hynes was a rock star down back and “Symbols” and Braedon were very good all day,” Ankers said.
Rovers overcame a determined Wests on a slippery Albrecht Oval surface caused by overnight rain by kicking four goals without a reply in the last quarter.
The Double Blues won 12.12 (84) to 7.10 (52) to give first year coach John Glasson his fourth win in charge.
“We were a bit slow out of the blocks with players from both sides playing on ice skates because of the playing surface,” Glasson said.
“We had several outs and hadn’t played for a couple of weeks, which ideally isn’t what you want, but we were good enough to overcome that.”
Darren Abbott was superb through the midfield, Taylem Stubbs in the back half, midfielder Lucas Ross and Luke Adams in defence and through the midfield were the pick of the Rovers players.
Chester Hunter and Michael Langton were good contributors for Wests, who only trailed by a goal at the start of the last quarter before Rovers found another gear.
In the Senior Women, Rovers continued their dominance by beating an in-form West Alice Springs side by 31 points in Saturday morning’s game at Albrecht Oval.
The Double Blues stepped up a gear against the second-placed Bloods in the second half after they led by 10 points at the main break.
Brooke Schembri around the ground, Ella Sharpe in a similar role and skipper Lara Harding in her familiar midfield role were dominant players for a Rovers side that has now won all nine games it has contested in the 2024 season.
Coach Renee Smith is pleased with her side’s intensity and ability to share the goal kicking.
“It’s been a bit strange with all the byes and breaks in the season making it hard to gain some momentum,” Smith said.
“But we’ve been able to find some consistency and keep going with strong training sessions and a big focus on match days.”
Wests remain second in the premiership race despite their second loss to Rovers this season, Lucia Burnot and Rachel Davine standouts for the Bloods.
Pioneer bounced back from an ordinary month of football compounded by a lack of playing numbers when they beat Federal by 25 points.
Alkamilya ensured it will play finals football again when they were awarded the match points against Souths courtesy of a forfeit.
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