West got their second win of the season in a resounding victory whilst Pioneer continued their winning streak leaving Federal to three scoreless quarters in round five of the 2024 TIO Central Australian Football League (CAFL).
In a chilly morning in Alice Springs, West and Souths got round five started in the women’s division with a 126-point win at Jim McConville Oval on Saturday.
Souths remained gallant, despite being an undermanned team on the day as Jessica Harnischfeger again put her case forward as the best and fairest candidate in the 2024 season.
Monique Cosgriff, Hannah Blaine, Hannah Murdoch, Georgia Calub, and Renae James all kicked three goals each with Tiffany Tregea and Hannah Pitkin contributing strong performances.
Souths captain Nakaiya Clarke led her team with passion but could not overcome the Wests landslide.
A low-scoring first term set up for a tight affair before Pioneer put the foot down against Federal at Albrecht Oval.
A heavily contested battle in the first term led to both sides recording just eight points each and that shaped the match to become a thriller. The Eagles were listed as undermanned in the match-up but after the first quarter, showed no signs of being undermanned.
Federal were kept scoreless for the rest of the match whilst the Eagles added six goals and six behinds to record a 42-point win, staying on a four consecutive game winning streak.
Bella Foster again produced a strong stat sheet alongside captain Keomi Ross for the Eagles with Christa Lingen named best on the ground for Federal.
In the men’s division, it was Federal returning after the bye with a win before Souths halted in inaccurate West side from recording their second of the season.
Federal were heavy favourites heading into the match despite recording a loss two weeks ago, the bye giving them the chance to regroup. The first quarter seemed ominous, however, as Rovers held a one-point lead at the first break.
Unfortunately for the Rovers, it would also be the last time they held the lead in the match as Federal came out of the huddle re-energised as Federal kicked five goals to one in the second quarter threatening the Rovers with a blowout victory.
And it continued that way in the second half as Federal went on to kick eight goals in the half, but Rovers were not shy of scoring opportunities with 10 scoring shots but only converting two majors.
Marcus McDonald was the game changer in the end for Federal with an incredible seven-goal match, alongside Charlie Lange and Patrick Coffey cementing themselves as some of the most dangerous midfielders in the CAFL.
Tyreeq Ahfat kept the opportunities coming for Rovers as Travis King finished with three goals. Federal went home as 54-point winners at Albrecht Oval.
Souths jumped out the gate with a six-goal first term, as West struggling with inaccuracies as alarms began ringing on the Wests bench.
With just the three minors at half time West remained positive, scoring 5 goals in the second half, Souths however outlasted the surge, scoring nine goals from 19 scoring shots.
TIO NTFL (Northern Territory Football League) Darwin Buffaloes star forward Daniel Stafford kicked six goals in a best-on-ground performance for the Rovers whilst Tarrant Maher has been recognised as West’s best performer.
Souths secured a 99-point win at Jim McConville Oval on Saturday afternoon.
