Reigning premiers Pioneer get early bragging rights, while slew of forfeits hamper women’s comp

Pioneer earned early bragging rights with a grand final rematch victory, but a slew of forfeits in the women’s comp hampered an otherwise thrilling weekend of CAFL footy.

Pioneer won the early bragging rights in the battle for the 2023 Central Australia Football League senior men’s crown when it beat archrivals South Alice Springs in the grand final rematch.

Former West Adelaide and NT Thunder on-baller Jamie Hampton starred for the Eagles in their 11.5 (71) to 8.13 (61) win over the Kangaroos.

And like last season’s grand final loss to Pioneer, Souths were left to rue some inaccuracy in front of goals.

Dylan Alice kicked three goals for Pioneer who got plenty of the football out of the middle with Hampton, Ethan Liddle and later Tyrell Woodbury getting their hands around the ball.

Captain Cheyne Miles said the intense rivalry between the Eagles and Souths had again brought the best out of his side.

“Any game between Pioneer and Souths is a tough day out and it was no different this time,’’ Miles said.

“The final margin shows how close it was in what was a good win for us and gives us some confidence going forward.’’

Pioneer earned some early bragging rights with a grand final rematch win against South Alice Springs. Picture: Charlie Lowson / AFLNT Media

Souths lost prolific goalkicker Thomas Gorey to a hamstring injury in the first quarter and struggled for fluency in the forward half.

Their full back Taylem Stubbs played his heart out in the last line of defence and former Eagle Thomas Swan continues to impress on a wing where his possession numbers are growing every week.

Roos coach Chris Forbes was left to ponder his side’s inaccuracy for the third match in a row.

“We’ve kicked more behinds than goals in every game we’ve played, so if we can improve our goalkicking we can start to move from there,’’ he said.

Federal moved to the top of the ladder under first year coach Sam LaPorta with its third straight win since the first round bye.

The 126-point win over bottom club Wests turned into a ruthless demolition of the undermanned Bloods.

Dual league best and fairest Abe Ankers dominated through the middle and up forward where he booted three goals and Eli Dayman finished with four majors in a polished performance.

Former GWS Giant and Western Bulldogs midfielder Sam Darley showed his class and Caylan LaPorta impressed on a wing.

“It’s all about the mental process in games like that, not the margin at the final siren,’’ Sam LaPorta said post match.

“There’s no disrespect to Westies in saying that, they played out the four quarters and a big tick to them for that.’’

In women’s football, last season’s runners-up West Alice Springs stayed second with a hard fought seven-point win over an enthusiastic Federal in Saturday morning’s clash at Albrecht Oval.

Hannah Murdoch again proved to be a focal point for teammates further up the ground, Chelsey Nelson led a tight and co-ordinated backline and the Bloods got their first mother-daughter combination when two-goal forward Renae and Lexie James turned out in the red and black.

Federal coach Anika Ferrari said the narrow loss to a quality outfit like Wests was proof her side was the real deal.

“A defeat like that is as good as a win for us,’’ Ferrari said. “We worked really hard out there and never gave up, it was a good result.’’

In a concern for the league, Pioneer and Rovers forfeited their matches against top side Alkamilya and Souths because of a lack of playing numbers.

A major exodus of players from both clubs to new side Federal is believed to be at the core of the problem.