Lions take favouritism in GEFL

The Umbakumba Lions have gone undefeated throughout the Groote Eylandt Football League season and are looking for their maiden premiership in 2009

The GEFL is gearing up for an exciting finals campaign here on Groote.  Over the past nine weeks, players from all three communities have battled it out for the chance to claim the inaugural GEFL Cup. After round ten we begin the short run to the finals, playing a semi final on September 12,   Followed by the Grand Final the following week.  Finals are structured so that the fifth team drops out after round 10,  while team one on the ladder plays team four, and team two plays team three.  Winners proceed directly to the Grand Final, which will be played at Angurugu on Sunday 20 September. 
Teams have been playing some close football over the weeks, with both skill and fitness improving out of sight as the rounds progress.  The Umbakumba Lions continue to exert their dominance over other teams, staying undefeated coming into round 8.  Playing a disciplined style of football, lead by coach, Basil Mamarika, the Lions are favourite  to make the Grand Final and will need to be taken seriously by whoever comes up against them, come the finals.
 Sitting second favourites are the Alyangula Swans.  The swans have played well despite the loss of a few players during the season due to work commitments.   The likes of Warren Wellbeloved, Mike Lush, Ben Spaeth, Casey Robins, Rodney Woods, Jarrod Lynch, Dayne Blaxter, John Hanson, Matty O’Hare, Tyron Bellman and John Spencer continue to hold the team together, playing a strong, hard style of football that shows week in week out that they are committed to winning the flag. 
As for the two Angurugu sides, they definitely can’t be written off as they continue to provide some fierce competition during the season.   The reigning Lightning cup pre season premiers, Angurugu Tigers, have demonstrated during the season that through quick movement of the football, and sharp skills they can win games.  Nevill Nunggumajbarr from the Tigers is leading the league goal kicking with over 21 goals booted this season and will definitely play a huge role in ensuring a finals spot for the Angurugu side. 
The Angurugu Crocs hit a slow patch mid way through the season, brought on by an absence of players due to ceremony in Numbulwar.  Still, they continued to fill a side and have bounced back to full strength now and are positioned well coming into the finals.  The Crocs managed to recruit key midfield player, Bradshaw Murrungun, who now provides a lot of run through the guts, moving the ball on quick down forward, where Kesley Lalara continues to dob goals from all angles.
Finally, week in week out the Umbakumba Roo’s fill a ‘best of’ veteran side, combined with reserve players from each team who don’t make the other teams.  Although they don’t look like making the finals this year, and have been beaten by some huge margins, the fun that the players get out of running onto the field each week is great to see.
Spectators are encouraged to come down and support the teams, as the GEFL nears the end of its first ever season.   For match times and dates, please refer to the fixtures which are posted on all major notice boards in the towns.  Bring the family and a deck chair down to the ovals, and come see the boys fly high.   
Robert Clements-AFLNT   

Results after round 7