Rovers clinched their undefeated season with a thrilling golden point victory over a determined West, securing the 2024 TIO Central Australian Football League (CAFL) premiership in a match that will be remembered as one of the greatest Grand Finals in CAFL history.
At TIO Traeger Park, the Grand Final quickly established itself as a one for the ages, with both teams trading goals early on. Ebony Abbott-McCormack opened the scoring for Rovers, only for West’s Hannah Murdoch to reply with a goal of her own.
A narrow one-point lead for Rovers at quarter time hinted at a close contest, but Rovers blistering second term, featuring two unanswered goals, suggested a shift in momentum. Despite this, West's Caitlin Couch reignited hope with a spark early in the third quarter. Abbott-McCormack and Brylee Kerrin added two more goals for Rovers, pushing their lead to 18 points.
West, however, refused to be subdued. The 2024 TIO CAFL Margaret Liddle Medallist Jessica Harnischfeger and Renae James each kicked crucial goals late in the third quarter, setting up a dramatic finish.
The fourth quarter was electric, with Lexie James giving West the lead with an early goal. Kerrin responded with a stunning goal on the run, and a vital behind from Delsey Campbell extended the margin to a single kick. West’s Shakira Forrester seemed poised to extend their lead with an open goal, but a spectacular chase-down effort and a decisive free kick tied the game with a goal from a set shot. A last-ditch effort from Harnischfeger nearly secured the win for West, but time ran out, sending the match into golden point overtime.
Under immense pressure, Doreena Hansen stepped up and delivered the match-winning goal, igniting a wave of celebration among Rovers supporters who stormed the field.
Hansen was exceptional throughout the game, earning the 2024 Bev Ellis Medal for her impactful play and relentless pressure around the contest. Rovers captain Lara Harding also delivered an outstanding performance, with ruck Brooke Wilson's tireless efforts proving pivotal.
Despite their heartache, West can hold their heads high, having pushed Rovers to the limit and forcing a nail-biting finish. Caitlin Couch stood out with two goals, while Georgia Calub and Dalyce Jenner demonstrated exceptional club spirit.
In the Senior Men’s Grand Final the Pioneer Eagles exacted sweet revenge for their 2016 heartbreak with a decisive 25-point victory over Federal.
The game kicked off with a bang as Pioneer’s Waylon Manson and Kyran Cole-Manolis each slotted a goal within a minute of each other. Federal’s Robby Bartee settled their nerves with a response, but it was Kaleel Ross who extended the Eagles' lead to 13 points. Marcus McDonald and Ross then stretched the margin to a commanding 25 points, before Federal’s Ariki Lowe added their second goal late in the quarter.
Federal roared back in the second term with three quick goals from Sam LaPorta and Joe Roberts, but Waylon Manson provided a crucial stabilising goal for Pioneer. Despite another goal from LaPorta, the Eagles regained control, with James Bruce and McDonald pushing the lead back into double digits. Manson’s goal before halftime saw Pioneer ahead by 19 points.
The third quarter saw a lull in scoring, with eight minutes of tight contest before Kynan Barnes broke the deadlock. LaPorta again reduced the margin to 10 points, but Cole-Manolis responded with the only goal for the Eagles in the term, giving Pioneer a 16-point lead heading into the final quarter.
In the fourth, McDonald and Eric Williams added crucial goals, sealing the Eagles’ long-awaited redemption from eight years prior.
Matt Campbell, playing in his 333rd match, was awarded the Everingham Medal for his outstanding performance. However, it was a collective team effort that shone for Pioneer, with Shawn and Luke Foster exceptional in defence and Shane Inkamala battling hard in the ruck. The lethal Eagles forward line proved too much for Federal.
For Federal, while the loss was disappointing, there were standout performances from Daniel Gorry, Ben Durkin, and Sam LaPorta.
