The SunCable Big Rivers Football League (BRFL) and Katherine West Health Board collaborated in Round Six to endorse Tackling Indigenous Smoking Program. The dedicated round was to raise awareness of the benefits of a healthy lifestyle within regional communities.
On World No Tobacco Day (Friday May 31st), the women’s division kicked off as Eastside claimed their fourth win of the season, as the Camels handed the Crows their first loss of the season.
Eastside has kept the competition on notice as a ‘never say die’ attitude from Katherine South could not overcome the well-drilled Eastside team.
Sonya Xavier’s performance on the wing for Eastside was the game changer as her efforts to be involved in the contest whilst making the sprints up and down the wings set the tone for Eastside.
Eastside captain, Kaleishia Ross again found her name in the best players list for her third match in a row, has likely moved into a solid position for the leagues women’s best and fairest medal.
Despite the result, the Katherine South culture has shone through as efforts from Jo Guthridge, Gretel Bailey-Preston got their names as some of the best on the ground.
Despite being low on numbers, it was smiles all round, as Shania Raymond and Christine Wei debuted.
With the Camels coming into this match as underdogs, they would have their work cut out for them against the undefeated Arnhem Crows side.
In a flip of the script, the Katherine Camels lifted in confidence, as work around the contested converted into 27 scoring shots for the match.
In a great celebration for the club, Taylor-Jade Glover was given best on ground for the Camels with Grace Senior, and Paige Woolhouse also accredited with strong efforts around the ball.
However, the Crows were named with just 11 players in the team but would continue to give it their all for the club.
Trephina Bush and Jonita Kingsley again both made their way into the best players, as they remain some of the competition's best players in the 2024 season with Tully Vlahovic and Elvira Campion would also remain spirited.
In the Men’s, the Tackling Indigenous Smoking Program round started with a Friday night extraordinaire as the Garrak Bombers claimed their second win, while Camels got the job done against Gurindji.
The Garrak Bombers were off to a hot start in the first quarter as their eight scoring shots converted into a 22-point lead at the first break, before a quick fire 20-point second term from Eastside brought the margin back to just 17 points at the halftime break.
The game continued to remain in the balance as Eastside kicked a further 24 points with the Bombers 28 in the third quarter setting up what was going to be a thrilling finish.
But the Bombers held Eastside to just 15 points before adding 32 points of their own to record a 38-point win.
Tyrese Raymond was incredible finding himself in the middle of the contest from both a defensive and offensive perspective, ending the match with three goals. Tyson Cronin kicked four goals and Jessiah Clyden added three goals of his own to the scoreline. Both Anton Bostock and Joshua McCarthy made their presence known by dominating the ruck contests.
Despite the tough result, captain Louis Campbell-Kossack was best on ground for Eastside with co-captain Joey Sariago was putting in the work on the wing.
Unfortunately, the Ngukurr and Northern Warlpiri clash was forfeited.
The Katherines Camels cemented top spot on the ladder with a 68-point win over Gurindji on Saturday.
The Camels were challenged heavily by Gurindji early in the match, as scoring opportunities kept them in the game as inaccuracies from the Camels had the margin at just 36 points at the three-quarter time break.
Whilst on paper it seemed insurmountable, Gurindji remained a chance before the Camels went up a gear in the last quarter to kick 33 points to one.
Katherine Camels Josh Carlin had an incredible six goal game with Mitch Carlin securing plenty of the ball and a goal. Brock Reynolds also had a day out finding the ball, along with last years Doug Kelly medallist, William Robinson also contributing two goals.
