Tuyu Buffaloes claim Tiwi Islands Football League premiership for first time in nine years
The Tiwi Islands football grand final was full of excitement, culture and flare. See all the pictures from the event including a spectacular mark from a familiar AFL name.
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The Tuyu Buffaloes have come out on top in a thrilling Tiwi Island Football League grand final over Pumarali Thunder to record their first premiership since 2013-14.
Four-time TIFL premiership player Michael Lorenzo was the hero on Sunday afternoon, kicking the matchwinner for the Buffaloes to steer them to a seven-point victory after his side trailed by five points at the last break.
In front of a strong crowd, a tight affair went on as the margin remained within single digits for most of the game, with the final scores reading Buffaloes 10.10 (70) to Thunder 10.3 (63).
Lorenzo said he dedicated the win to his family.
“So excited that I got the opportunity to kick the last goal,” he said.
“I came over to this team to play for my grandmother and grandfather who passed away last year.
“Excited and emotional that I got the win today.”
Thunder‘s Adam Tipungwuti produced one of the biggest highlights in the game when he leapt sky-high to take the mark of the game in the third quarter.
His brilliance didn’t stop there as the younger brother of AFL player Anthony McDonald Tipungwuti stepped into a celebration after kicking a top-notch set-shot following his eye-catching grab.
Tipungwuti’s accurate shot was his second straight goal which he followed with another to score three goals in a row and put his side up by double figures after trailing early in the term.
After the Thunder kicked four straight with Ross Tungatalum kicking the other goal, the Buffaloes scored the final goal of the term to stop the run and cut the deficit to five points at three-quarter time.
From there, the Buffaloes came out hot in the final term with two early goals. But the Thunder struck back with a goal to cut the deficit to one point.
The game was done and dusted when Lorenzo kicked a goal with under five minutes left on the clock to extend the Buffaloes advantage to seven points and lead them to a nail biting victory.
Buffaloes midfielder Harley Puruntatameri, 25, who had only planned to play a few games since he joined in round 11, said he was motivated by the next generation to continue playing the rest of the season.
“Since the day I came in round 11 and I saw these younger mob impress me and then I decided to keep coming even though I planned to only come for two or three games,” Puruntatameri said.
“But I see the younger ones really impress me so I had to come out and keep helping them.
“I’m really happy the way they did today.”
Incoming AFL chief executive Andrew Dillon, who was in the Northern Territory for the Garma Festival, said he wasn’t going to miss the chance to watch the decider.
“I have been at Garma for the last couple of days and with the timing, it was amazing that it lined up with the Tiwi grand final,” he said.
“I made sure I wasn’t going to let the opportunity pass so I will watch the game today and then I will be back to Melbourne overnight.”
Dillon said he enjoyed the contest between the teams.
“Really exciting, great footy, nice and open, no stoppages and lots of excitement in the crowd,” he said at quarter time.
“It’s a great atmosphere and pretty festive at the moment.
“The ball is pinging around.”
Alongside Dillon in attendance was Sports Minister Kate Worden who is understood to have had some positive discussions with the soon to be AFL boss.
SCOREBOARD
BUFFALOES 1.5 4.7 7.9 10.10 (70)
THUNDER 3.1 5.2 9.2 10.3 (63)
ALL THE PHOTOS
Tiwi Island Football League grand final between Tuyu Buffaloes and Pumarali Thunder.
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