Katherine Camels, Arnhem Crows win Big Rivers Football League 2024 grand finals
The Katherine Camels held off a fast-finishing Ngukurr to once again lift the premiership, while the Arnhem Crows women completed back-to-back BRFL titles. Read how it happened.
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A best on ground performance by ruckman-forward Will Robinson spearheaded his side’s 17-point win over Ngukurr in the Big Rivers Football League Grand Final.
In the best premiership decider in years, Robinson won the prestigious Morris Medal when his Camels won 13.9 (87) to 11.4 (70) on the back of a five-goal to one second quarter.
Ngukurr finished strongly with a run of goals inspired by the classy Cedric Robertson to reduce a 41-point deficit late in the third quarter to less than three goals.
But Camels coach Mal Fox, who tasted premiership success for the fifth time with three different BRFL clubs, said his players always had the game under control.
“Granted we had some injuries out there and some tired bodies, but we always knew we had the game won after getting out to 41 points,” he said.
Robinson expects the Camels to field a similar side to defend their fourth Big Rivers flag in 2025, despite the transient nature of Katherine football.
“That’s why we have to wait and see as always, but hopefully the core group will stay together and more quality players will come in to this great club,” he said.
It was the second major individual accolade for the Katherine man, who also plays for St Mary’s in the NTFL, after he won the Doug Kelly league best and fairest award.
He won that accolade alongside teammate Ricky Walsh, both polling 12 votes, ahead of what was a successful final for the side.
Centre half-forward Lachlan Wareham booted five goals and took the mark of the match in the third quarter.
Meanwhile, PINT footballer Harry McKimme was high up in the Morris Medal voting after a superb match around the ball and up forward.
Ngukurr was brave in defeat despite missing out on back-to-back premierships.
Robertson was superb out of the middle, playing a major role in his side’s last quarter comeback, while Camels pair Walsh and Josh Carlin found plenty of the football.
In women’s football Jenna Singh-Lippo won her second best on ground medal when the Arnhem Crows won their fourth flag by beating Eastside in the grand final.
Her performance in the 9.8 (62) to 4.2 (26) final saw her secure her second major individual honour as well after she too won the league best and fairest in the week prior.
It made back-to-back premiership victories for the Crows in the women’s competition after they beat the minor premiers for the fourth time in 2024.
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