Pioneer women and Federal men top table after five rounds of 2024 CAFL comp

The Pioneer women continue to soar unbeaten after five rounds, while the Federal men have reclaimed the top spot. Check out all the action from another massive CAFL round.

Federal played its way back to the top of the Central Australian Football League Senior Men’s ladder with a comprehensive 58-point win over Rovers in their Round 5 clash at Albrecht Oval.

The reigning premiers kicked five goals in the second quarter and another six in the last to beat Rovers 16.6 (102) to 7.12 (54) and jump over Pioneer on the league ladder.

Papunya goal kicking wizard Marcus McDonald booted seven goals in Federal’s win, aided by the good work of Kynan Barnes and Charlie Lange around the ground.

South Alice Springs squared the ledger in wins and losses in the 2024 season following their 99-point win over Wests in the game at Albrecht Oval.

The young Kangaroos jumped out of the blocks with a six-goal to nil first quarter and never took their foot off the accelerator in their 19.16 (130) to 2.13 (31) over the Bloods.

Big marking spearhead Daniel Stafford booted six goals for Souths in a best on ground performance, while the returning Gibson Turner up forward and through the middle was a big contributor.

Federal's Daniel Gorry has had a big impact since returning to the CAFL outfit in 2024. Picture: Charlie Lowson / AFLNT Media

Josh Wallace in the last line of defence shut down dangerous Wests spearhead Travis Smith with his discipline and close checking work in a Souths side that contained seven players from their under-18 squad.

“It’s a credit to the club’s strength at U18 and reserves level where we’re on top of the ladder and second that we’re able to play the young blokes at A-grade level and they’ve produced when they’re in the side,’’ coach Chris Forbes said.

“I was worried all week about Wests after their win over Pioneer, but we’ve come up with a good result that should set us up nicely in the weeks to come.”

In the Senior Women Pioneer retained its unbeaten start to the season with a hard fought 42-point win over Federal at Albrecht Oval.

The Eagles women took a while to find their wings, but were good enough to kick six goals without a reply in the last three quarters.

It was their fourth win from as many starts in a season where club officials feared they would be unable to field a side for lack of numbers.

Coach Hamish McDonald said every player in a green and gold jumper was playing their part in the fast start that has them a game clear of their rivals in the premiership race.

The Pioneer women remain unbeaten after five rounds of the 2024 CAFL competition. Picture: Charlie Lowson / AFLNT Media

“It’s been a contribution across all parts of the ground which set us up again this week after both sides were even on the scoreboard at quarter time,” McDonald said.

“Kyanne Campbell through the midfield was very good for us, as were Hayley Ross down back, captain Keomi Ross in the midfield and Armani Francois in the centre.”

Last season’s grand finalists West Alice Springs bounced back from its big loss to Rovers two weeks ago with a 21-goal win over the young Souths side at Jim McConville Oval.

Coach David James was pleased with his side’s pressure at the contests and ability to play four quarters of football against a Souths side still learning the game.

“I was really proud of both sides and the spirit the game was played in, Souths will get better and so will we,” he said

Wests midfielder Jessica Harnischfeger did her league best and fairest chances no harm with another best on ground performance, while Monique Cosgriff and Hannah Blaine were effective around goals.

Cosgriff and Blaine joined Hannah Turnbull, Georgia Calub and Renae James in kicking three goals each in the Bloods’ 19.12 (126) to nil win.