Territory legend Darryl White plays for Pioneer in winning cause

Federal has kept an unbeaten run alive while a Territory footy legend pulled on the boots once again in a thrilling round. Check out the latest action from the CAFL.

Federal and Pioneer emerged as big winners in a thrilling round of Central Australian Football League matches on the weekend.

Senior Men’s ladder leaders Federal came back from a 21-point halftime deficit to beat Souths in their midday game at Traeger Park.

And Pioneer, with 50-year-old Darryl White, the three-time Brisbane premiership player on board, finished all over a courageous Rovers in their twilight game.

The Eagles kicked eight goals to nil in a dramatic last quarter to snatch a 22-point win and move to second place on the league ladder.

The drama did not stop there.

Undefeated Senior Women’s ladder leader Alkamilya held on to draw with West Alice Springs in a heart stopping game at Traeger Park.

The unbeaten Federal showed why they are the flag favourites in the men’s competition when they kicked eight goals to three in an action-packed second half to win the top-of-the-table clash at league headquarters.

Darryl White, pictured playing for the Darwin Buffaloes, edged closer to 700 senior games in an outing for Pioneer. Picture: Glenn Campbell

Midfielder Braydon Weily, seven-goal forward Jesiah Minor and Max Duffell on a wing were constant threats for Souths all day.

Demons coach Sam LaPorta was rapt with his side’s ability to reset after a first half where Souths had made all the running.

“I wouldn’t say we were shell-shocked, but they played a very good brand of footy that made us move some magnets just to win the game.’’ Laporta said post-match.

“I put a challenge to the players at half time when were down to not worry about the scoreboard and just focus on getting back into the game and they did that to be level at three quarter time.

“Whenever you get a positive response when you ask your playing group to respond, that to me is the big improvement I’ve been looking for all season.’’

Souths coach Chris Forbes was not overly concerned with the three-goal loss despite Federal fighting back in the all-important third quarter to get themselves back in the game.

“They (Federal) are on top of the ladder for a reason and were probably a bit fitter than us, but the season is still in July and there’s a long way to go,’’ he said.

“We were down a player when Ricky Smith hurt a hamstring in the second quarter and we know what we have to do next time and fix where we went wrong.’’

Michaelis McMasters in defence, Jeremiah Scrutton in the ruck and Issaha Forbes down back were the best for Souths.

Federal playing coach Sam LaPorta lays down the law during three quarter time of his sides CAFL win over South Alice Springs.

Brisbane Lions champion Darryl White played his part in Pioneer’s come-from-behind win, moving closer to the magical 700 senior games where he played 268 games with Brisbane and later state and country leagues around Australia.

The Eagles got maximum value from David Bray up forward, Waylon Doolan through the midfield and on-baller Tim Pepperill in a game that was decided in a frantic last quarter.

White, in a senior playing career that began in the late 1980s and has stretched across Australia, played a variety of roles in defence and up forward as his former side stormed home.

“We were in the game right through before getting our act together in the last quarter to get in front and go on with it,’’ the Brisbane Lions legend said.

“We just got it out of the middle and used it properly with the breeze and they (Rovers) didn’t get a look in despite the game being played between both half back lines.’’

In the Senior Women’s competition Alkamilya and last season’s grand finalists Wests played out the first draw in the CAFL competition this season.

Alkamilya led by two points midway through the last term in a low scoring game before a determined Wests levelled the score with three minutes to play in the last quarter.

It was the first time this season runaway ladder leaders Alkamilya Panthers have dropped premiership points.

The scores were level at the first change before Alkamilya eased themselves in front and Wests staged a gutsy late recovery despite having no one on the interchange bench after the first quarter due to injury.

Federal's Braydon Weily was a standout for Federal in their match against Souths. Picture: Charlie Lowson

Both sides had good players in a high pressure contest, Shoneeka Abbott down back and Jasmine Boyers very good players for the Panthers and dual league medallist Caitlin Couch up forward and Bridie Carmichael battling an eye injury for the Bloods.

Wests coach Alicia Stanley said player availability had been a problem in the first part of the season, with last season’s runner-up only winning three of its first eight games.

“But hopefully now we have an opportunity to play our best football,’’ Stanley added.

Pioneer beat an undermanned Rovers by 73 points at Albrecht Oval to gain a foothold in the top four.

The E-Girls peppered the goals in an impressive display, with Hermannsburg recruit Esther Arabie finding plenty of the football and Academy product Kyanne Campbell starring in an on-ball role.

Pioneer coach Fred Campbell said his side had played smart and direct football against a Rovers side short on playing numbers.

“Obviously our main aim is to play finals football and a win like this, with every player contributing, goes a long way to making that happen,’’ he added.

Federal grabbed second place on the women’s ladder with a workmanlike 20-point win over Souths in their twilight game at Traeger Park.

Souths coach Dudley Clarke said his team had its chances to kick a winning score but could not covert their good work on the scoreboard against the hard working Federal defence.