Ranku Eagles, Tapalinga Superstars triumph in 2024 TIFL grand finals
Thousands of footy fans were treated to a spectacle in what was a historic grand final day for the Tiwi Islands Football League. Check out what happened and who starred.
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Thousands were treated to a footballing spectacle as some more history was made in the Tiwi Islands Football League grand finals.
For the first time in their history both the men’s and women’s finals were played on the same day, bringing more thrills and excitement as a result.
The Tapalinga Superstars triumphed in the women’s grand final, after delivering the Muluwurri Magpies a stunning upset.
The Magpies had gone undefeated up to that stage and denied the Superstars the 2023 flag by a single point.
This history fuelled Tapalinga’s determination, as they burst out of the gates with the first goal in the opening 20 seconds, quickly followed by another.
And with a third goal in their favour just before quarter time they had well and truly forced the Magpies on the back foot.
The Magpies’ hopes were briefly lifted in the second quarter with two scoring shots, but both were behinds, while Tapalinga added their fourth and fifth goals.
Muluwurri finally registered their first goal halfway through the second term, but Tapalinga’s early dominance had already set the tone for the match.
Tapalinga’s Edmena ‘Gypsy’ Johnson was named the best on ground after scoring four of her side’s goals.
Kathleen Cunningham and Gerry Cunningham contributed two goals each, and Jasmine Cunningham added another to the scoreboard.
Despite the loss, Muluwurri’s Rayna Darcy, Leanne Darcy, and Lina Lorenzo each kicked a goal, capping off what to that stage had been a perfect season.
Meanwhile, the Ranku Eagles took on the Magpies in the men’s grand final after the sides had dominated throughout the year.
The Eagles had narrowly secured their place in the final with a four-point victory over the Magpies in the semi-final just two weeks earlier giving them some momentum.
Ranku dominated the first quarter but managed only two goals despite controlling the territory and in response the Magpies generated seven scoring shots in the second term.
However, they only converted two into goals, and were still trailing by four points into the third quarter.
The teams traded goals in an end-to-end contest, leaving the result hanging in the balance at three-quarter time.
Then Ranku sealed the victory with a final term performance in which they scored three goals to their opposition’s two and were able to embrace the crowd’s celebrations.
Francis Orsto and Quinten Ross each kicked two goals for the Eagles, while Valentine Jnr Puautjimi, Davis White, Pio Puautjimi, and Clayton Tipiloura added one goal each.
For the Magpies, Nicholas Daniels scored two goals, with Francis Tipungwuti, Steven Lorenzo, Liam Daniels, and Roy Farmer each contributed one.
The 2023-24 TIO NTFL NT News Rising Star, Karlson Kantilla of the Eagles, was awarded best on ground for his significant impact in the ruck contests.
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