Women’s action returned in the 2024 SunCable Barkly Australian Football League with the Spitfires retaining the top of the ladder, with Elliott defeating Epenarra.
Captain Taneal Croydon and Hayley Williams, with two goals each, were the difference in the clash as the Spitfires found themselves struggling with goalkicking with 16 behinds from 24 scoring shots. The final margin was 58 points in the end but could have been much larger.
But Bree Baker was phenomenal with plenty of clearances and a goal as well as Jeanil Lopez, who was outstanding along the half-forward line.
For YDU, Angelle Deo continued to work, with Cherese Lane pairing nicely.
It was a low-scoring affair with Elliott and Epenarra, as four goals were kicked for the entirety of the match.
In an arm-wrestle, Lesteisha Timothy from the Hawks went one-on-one with Saints captain Joylene Epenarra with Epenarra’s Rachel Mills going toe-to-toe with Elliott’s Larissa Cooper, which was an excellent exhibition with all players being named in the best players on the ground.
Hawk’s vice-captain Jasmine Bathern was massive with two goals as Elliott recorded the 26-point win.
In the men’s, Elliott went two from two for the weekend, as the Saints sneak home, and YDU posts a vital win.
Celebrations in Elliott were large as they returned home with two wins from the weekend, as Kurt Raymond stars with seven goals. It was a spectacular show as Gary Hogan could not get himself away from the ball in a dominant performance that also earned him a goal.
Raven Nelson was equally as impressive with three goals.
However, the Eagles were praised for continuing to work, earning themselves a goal in the final term.
Saints completed a late comeback against an inaccurate Barkly Work Camp (BWC) to get their second win of the season.
Being up by 13 at the final break had things looking promising for BWC but the glaring issue was the inaccuracy with a scoreline of four goals and 14 behinds. It then proved to be the difference in the final quarter as the Saints kicked four goals, whilst BWC could only kick one goal and one behind.
Saint’s Lindsay Turner was outstanding in the comeback, lifting it to a whole new level, with Riewoldt Ross doing strong work around the contest, with Jude Beasley kicking two goals.
However, BWC’s Darryl Kunoth was working overtime, nearly getting BWC the win.
YDU’s ferocious third term gave them the win that has kept them in finals contention.
Clayton Hayes turned heads as YDU’s best-on-ground, with Lyndon Chungaloo becoming a ball magnet in the middle. But it was Ishmael Nandy with an incredible seven-goal performance that gave YDU the win.
Ali Curung however, performed at a high standard staying in touch with YDU, with Nicky Poulson continuing his fantastic season.
