The 2009 Groote Eylandt Football League came to a close last weekend, with the Alyangula Swans Narrowly claiming victory over the Umbakumba Lions.
Leading up to the Grand Final, both teams were fortunate to qualify, winning by only one point the Umbakumba Lions, and three points the Alyangula Swans.
Excited spectators cheered on the Angurugu Tigers and Angurugu Crocs as they played off in the Curtain Raiser before the official game. While this was happening, GEMCO delivered a cherry picker to lift Chris Love to a suitable height in order to film the inaugural match. Meanwhile car loads of spectators poured in, along with the emergency services, dignitaries and players. In total, over 400 people were estimated to be present at the opening bounce.
Overseeing the Match was Groote Eylandt Football Leagues head umpire, Terence Farrell, along with AFLNT Game Development Manger, Kevin Bruce, who was flown in especially for the game.
Coming into the match as clear favourites, the Alyangula Swans came out strong, kicking four goals four, to the Lions two straight goals in the opening quarter. Strong hands up forward, and good centre clearances by the swans, had the lion coaches revisiting match ups at quarter time, in order to stop the Swans from getting to far in front.
After some deliberation at quarter time, Coach of the Lions, Basil Mamarika made some adjustments to the line up, clamping down on accountability and tagging key Swan player, Casey Robins. A mixture of bad accuracy by the Swans, and good defence by the lions, had the swans restricted to kicking just two goals four to the Lions two goals two. As a result the gap was closing to three goals at half time, Swans in front.
The premiership quarter saw the fitness of the lions run all over the Swans, as weeks of running up beeches and lifting flower tins clearly paying dividends. The lions pushed to space, tiring the Swans and piling on four goals to the Swans one goal. Young player, Ian Mamarika was instrumental in the third, kicking three of the four goals, and bringing the lions to within one point of levelling the scores.
With only one quarter remaining and both teams physically exhausted, the game was open for the taking. Leading for the first time, and with only six minutes left on the clock, the Lions kicked two goals and a premiership looked promising. The swans however thought otherwise! Captain, Casey Robins, turned on some last minute brilliance with the help from Ruckman Rod Woods, kicking their way back in front with only thirty seconds remaining and taking out the 2009 GEFL Cup. A fantastic effort by both teams. Final Scores Alyangula Swans 10. 13 – 73 defeated Umbakumba Lions 11. 3 – 69.
Best on Ground – Casey Robins, Alyangula Swan
Ian Mamarika, Umbakumba Lions
After the Grand Final, the women at Umbakumba Community hosted a party for all players and families of the GEFL. On arrival to Umbakumba, players and spectators were welcomed by community members with a banquet of local foods which had been collected prior to the Grand Final. The evening was enjoyed by all, as Umbakumba community members talked about the success of the football and presented local artefacts to every grand finalist player from the Alyangula Swans. The Alyangula Swans presented a glass framed shirt on behalf of the club as a token of their appreciation, for all the effort put into the season by the Lions.
Congratulations to the Alyangula Swans who made history by winning the first ever Groote Eylandt Football League Grand Final, and Thank You to all the people who helped make football on Groote Eylandt come alive.
Medal Presentation Evening
On September the 18th, the Groote Eylandt Football League Medal Presentation took place in Angurugu, with over 250 people coming together to support players who participated in the 2009 season. Presenting the medals were Chairman of the Anindilyakwa Land Council, Walter Amagula, and Community Relations, Aboriginal Liaison and Government Affairs Superintendent, Wayne O’Neill.
Over the course of the evening, photos which were taken during the season were projected onto the stage, along with footage of players who had been filmed leading up to the Grand Final. Thank you to all the people who helped make the evening enjoyable and congratulations to the following trophy winners:
Trophy Winners
2009 GEFL Umpires Best and Fairest – Basil Bara, Angurugu Tigers. 9 votes
2009 GEFL Runner-Up Best and Fairest – Casey Robins, Alyangula Swans. 8 Votes
2009 GEFL Leading Goal Kicker – Nevil Nunggumajbarr, Angurugu Tigers. 22 Goals
2009 GEELONG CATS Junior Rising Star Award – Jethro Marawili, Umbakumba Lions
Club Leading Goal Kickers
Umbakumba Lions – Gareth Mamarika. 10 goals
Angurugu Tigers – Nevil Nunggumajbarr. 22 goals
Angurugu Crocs – Carl Lalara. 21 goals
Alyangula Swans – Matty Jones. 18 goals
Umbakumba Lions – Nigel Wanabi. 3 goals