The 2024 SunCable Barkly Australian Football League (BAFL) Preliminary Finals fixture has been announced after a big weekend of finals footy.
In the Women’s, the Elliott Hawks have secured their spot in the Grand Final with a convincing win over the Spitfires with a clinical team performance.
Jasmine Bathern and Kayla Costello put on a show in the qualifying final as they held the Spitfires scoreless in the first half. In the second half however, Spitfire’s Rhianne Obst and Anastasia Power begun declaring themselves on the match but the power of Hawk’s Nishanaye Thompson and Shakana Rankine were proving to be too much for the Spitfires.
The Spitfires will have a second chance to reach the Grand Final as Delaicee Hansen and Katriana Milne will be looking to stamp their authority on the match.
Joining the Hawks in the Preliminary Final will be the Epenarra Saints, unfortunately due to a forfeit.
The Elliott Hawks have doubled up with their men’s side also cementing their spot in the 2024 SunCable BAFL Grand Final with a win over Ali Curung.
In what was a great midfield battle, both sides found themselves with the ability to move the ball quickly out of the centre and towards goals. For the Hawks, captain Anthony Raymond was spectacular in this field delivering fantastic opportunities for forwards Raven Nelson (four goals) and Kurt Raymond (five goals) to pull away from the Kangaroos.
With credit to Ali Curung, they continued to work incredibly hard, with Nicky Poulson finding plenty of the ball even rewarding himself with three goals. Ethan Wilson was also strong with two goals. But it was too difficult to halt Elliott’s Lane Jackson and Phillip O’Keefe from having an impact as well.
In the elimination final, YDU has advanced into the Preliminary final after a terrific display of fundamental footy.
Right from the bounce of the ball, YDU had control of the match as it was Eliah Billy-Joe who did the damage in the midfield. Presenting in what seemed like waves, Ishmael Nandy, Stanley Waistcoat, and Rico Billy-Joe all kicked four goals with Tyrell Green following with three goals.
For the Spitfires, vice-captain Lachlan Dunemann and Troy Gillett both kicked two goals as Tyreake Banjo gave his all around the ground.
2024 BAFL Finals Week Two Fixture:
Women’s:
Preliminary Final – 1:30pm Saturday 7 September – Spitfires v Epenarra Saints
Men’s:
Preliminary Final – 3:00pm Saturday 7 September – Ali Curung v YDU
