The Tiwi Islands Football League grand final delayed until August due to damage to local roads
The Tiwi Islands Football League grand final has been delayed following wild weather, but officials say they are digging hard to get the season on track.
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The Tiwi Islands Football League’s iconic grand final has been delayed for the second season in a row, with the clash pushed back from its traditional spot in March to the second half of year.
AFLNT remote development manager Danyon Smillie confirmed the season was expected to begin on February 23 due to wet weather impacting local roads, with the grand final tentatively planned for August.
The 2021-22 season was also delayed due to Covid restrictions, with the grand final held on May 7 in front of thousands of locals and visitors.
The 2020 decider was able to be played at its traditional time of March, but was restricted to only local crowds due to the pandemic.
“This year we’ve had a few issues,” Smillie said.
Official fixtures are to be released in coming weeks, following a shake-up to accommodate the delays.
“We’ve rearranged our season, we’ve got everyone on board for a dry season comp which is good, “ Smillie said.
“(The roads have) been pretty horrible. Some sections are impassable at the moment.”
It comes after the Tiwi Bombers forfeited a Round 14 match against Waratah in Men’s Premier League, partially due to road access for players based on the islands and reported “social unrest”.
Melville Island teams Imalu Tigers and Muluwirri Magpies, who contested last year’s decider, will play a series of pre-season matches before meeting again in Round 1, with the aim of both teams being able to travel to Wurrumiyanga by the second round.
“It’s all dependant on the weather at the moment, we’ll see how we go,” he said.
Covid restrictions also kept the Tiwi Bombers out of Men’s Premier League after the ‘21-22 season Christmas break.
Smillie said the league was working with transport companies including SeaLink to provide further information on finals, which are expected to begin in July at this stage.
“We’re really digging in and getting this season on track,” he said.
Meanwhile, Smillie said the league was planning to run junior competitions, including under-12s, 16s and 18s, and a women’s division in 2023.
“There's plenty of kids out here,” he said.
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