Territory football has taken another giant step forward in the establishment of long-term viable leagues in remote centres after a successful triangular series was held in Yirrkala over the weekend.
The series, played on Sunday 15 April at Yirrkala Oval, featured representative sides from the Groote Eylandt Football League (GEFL), Gove Australian Football League (GAFL) and the Gapuwiyak region.
The first of three matches saw the GAFL and the GEFL go head-to-head, with both sides setting a frantic first quarter pace in a great spectacle of attacking running football.
GEFL managed to kick the only of the quarter to hold a slight lead the first change, before GAFL hit back hard in the second quarter and went into half time with a slender lead.
After half time Nonnugu Wanambi and Rranga Mununggurr were able to get their hands on the footy in the midfield as Gove dominated centre bounce clearances.
This trend continued throughout the second half with the GAFL running out winners by 27 points.
Game Two pitted Gapuwiyak against the GEFL and like the first game a cracking pace was set early with Gapuwiyak jumping out of the blocks to lead by two goals at the first change.
The GEFL defence were continually challenged and Shannon Jaragba, Shadrack Bara and Leon Nunngarrgalu worked overtime to repel numerous Gapuwiyak forward thrusts.
In the second half Groote showed signs of fatigue as Gapuwiyak continued to deliver the ball with precision into their three key forward targets in Adam Wanambi, Robert Guyula, and John Dhamarrandji, eventually running out winners by 36 points.
The last match between the GEFL and Gapuwiyak would decide the overall winner of the series and both teams although tired from their previous match continued to give it everything.
The match was a scintillating highlights package of silky skills and special moments featuring an incredible overhead snap for the first goal of the match by Robert Guyula (Gapuwiyak), devastating precision passing from Nathan Garawirrtga and two contenders for ‘Mark of the Year’ from Gove duo Dongga Maymuru and Nonnugu Wanambi who flew well above their opponents to hold incredible marks.
The match was a tight tussle throughout as both teams went goal for goal throughout the second half with Gapuwiyak holding a two point lead at the final change.
Gove continued to take the fight to Gapuwiyak, showing resilience and determination to kick the next two goals quickly to close the gap to one goal before Gapuwiyak edged ahead in the final moments to run out winners by eight points and claim the triangular series championship.
The carnival was hailed by those in attendance as a huge success and GAFL President Hamish Simpson said that a larger number of footballers in remote areas now had access to these events.
"The efforts of AFLNT representatives Mick Montague (Gapuwiyak) and Ian Brown (Groote Eylandt) outstanding," said Simpson.
"It was an excellent opportunity for the respective leagues to gauge where their standard of football is at,"
"The matches played were of a high standard and in excellent sportsmanship,"
"As a result of financial and geographical limitations, remote football leagues have limited opportunities to compete in the larger urban carnivals,"
"By hosting these competitions in remote hubs such as Nhulunbuy, these tournaments become much more accessible for isolated communities".
Please see below for results of the Yirrkala triangular series.
GAFL 11.6.72 defeated GEFL 6.9.45
Best GAFL; Nonnugu Wanambi ,Rranga Mununggurr, Dongga Maymuru, Darren Mununggurr. GEFL; Benuel Mamarika, Shannon Jaragba, Jeremy Murrungun, Nathan Bara.
Gapuwiyak 7.3.45 defeated GEFL 1.3.9
Best Gapuwiyak; Adam Wanambi, Justin Girruwiwi, Nathan Garawirrtga, Manuel Dhamarrandji. GEFL; Shadrack Bara, Leon Nunngarrgalu, Ian Brown
Gapuwiyak 6.5.41 defeated GAFL 5.3.33
Best Gapuwiyak; Dion Wunungmurra, Nathan Garawirrtga, Thomas Guyula & Manuel Dhamarrandji. GAFL; Nonnugu Wanambi ,Rranga Mununggurr, Dongga Maymuru, Darren Mununggurr