South Alice beat Pioneer in Round 6 of the 2024 CAFL season
South Alice Springs have done their premiership credentials a world of good after a first half goal rush saw them beat Pioneer in Round 6. Read the latest CAFL action here.
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South Alice Springs bounced into premiership contention when they beat long-time rival Pioneer by 77 points in Round 6 of the 2024 Central Australian Football League season.
A 12-goal to five first half and a seven-goal to two last quarter set up the Kangaroos’ 22.8 (140) to 9.9 (63) win over the Eagles and a big leap to second on the Senior Men’s ladder.
Souths’ big win at Albrecht Oval corresponded with reigning premier Federal’s annihilation of bottom side Wests at Jim McConville Oval, where the Demons prevailed by a whopping 131 points.
Federal has rebounded strongly from a rare Round 3 loss to Pioneer by recording big wins against Rovers and Wests to climb back to the top of the ladder.
But the biggest smile of the round belonged to Souths coach Chris Forbes, who watched his side play their best football of the season against a Pioneer side that had won three of its first four matches before Saturday’s downer.
The Roos have lost four grand finals since their last premiership in 2014, but they showed enough in the runaway win over Pioneer to suggest a serious run into this year’s finals.
“It was a very good win for the boys and the club, particularly when we kicked a lot of goals in the first, second and last quarters,” Forbes said.
“That’s what happens when we play our brand of footy without worrying about the opposition and credit must go to the players for that.”
Daniel Stafford’s second six-goal haul in as many weeks earned him best on ground honours, despite being forced from the ground with a hamstring strain in the third quarter.
Orlando Turner and Rob Smith booted three goals each in between midfield, forward roles and Henry Impu on a wing did some clever things.
Kimberley goal kicker Waylon Manson played a lone hand up forward for the Eagles by kicking three majors.
Federal’s forward line had a day out when three players kicked a bag of goals in their 25.13 (163) to 5.2 (32) win over a brave but outclassed Wests outfit.
Papunya wizard Marcus McDonald added to his seven goals in the win over Rovers last week with another seven against the under siege Bloods defence.
Eli Dayman and speedster Shane Inkamala kicked five each to give coach Andrew Richardson a three-pronged forward line that will test any side’s defence this season.
Kynan Barnes, McDonald, Ariki Lowe and Abe Ankers were named in Federal’s best, while Taine Stevens, the consistent Jayden Dick and playing coach Ben Ellis impressed for Wests.
In the Senior Women, top-of-the-ladder Rovers won their fifth game in as many starts when they beat reigning premier Alkamilya by 31 points at Albrecht Oval.
The Double Blues broke the game open in the first half when they booted five goals to the Panthers’ one to take a four-goal lead into the main break.
The second half turned into an arm wrestle when the young Alkamilya side threw everything at the ladder leaders but could not bridge the gap in Rovers’ 7.5 (47) to 2.4 (16) win.
Third-placed Wests shook off a persistent Federal in the second half to win a hard fought match by 23 points at Jim McConville Oval.
Last season’s grand finalists booted three goals to nil in a disciplined display in defence and through the middle in the last two quarters while holding Federal scoreless.
Hannah Murdoch showed her move to the forward line has been a success by kicking four goals in the Bloods’ 7.7 (49) to 4.2 (26) win.
Coach David James praised his side’s pressure at contests and strong tackling mixed in with strong performances around the ground.
“Rach Davine’s run and pressure was there for four quarters, the two Hannahs (Murdoch and Blaine) gave us some key targets, “DJ” (Dalyce Jenner) in the ruck made sure we got first use where we were able to lock it in and get repeat scores,” he said.
“All of our backline worked together, however Harriet (Scandol) and Lucie (Burnod) gave us plenty of run and Jess (Harnischfeger continued her rich vein of form.”
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Originally published as South Alice beat Pioneer in Round 6 of the 2024 CAFL season
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