Round two of the 2024 TIO CAFL Season got off to a flying start with a 2023 Senior Women’s Grand Final replay between Alkamilya and West before another commanding victory for Pioneer late in the afternoon.
West has shown that seven months is a long time, overcoming Alkamilya in yet another nail-biter. West were rewarded with sweet redemption after going down to Alkamilya in a three-point thriller in last year’s grand final.
It was an inaccurate start, but West set the tone early on as Alkamilya kicked two back-to-back goals to start the match as opposed to West’s inaccurate kicking resulting in four behinds.
After the first term, it was West’s territory dominance that become the story of the match as the Panthers were held to just two goals for the remainder of the match.
West finished the third term with a score line of 1.10.16 to the Panther’s 3.3.21, however a two-goal final term for West secured the win as Alkamilya could only secure the one goal in the last, resulting in a one-point victory for West.
Jessica Harnischfeger stood out as West’s best, with Dalyce Jenner, Brydie Carmichael, Bree Baker also having an influence on the match, with goal scoring contributions from Georgia Calub, Meg McGuiness, and Renae James.
Teigan McCarty kept the Panthers in a strong position as well as captain Hayley Maher. Strong impacts from Shaniya Cooper, Maria Rioli, Ella Fitz and Billie-Jo Liddle.
Pioneer dismantled Federal at Albrecht Oval with a blistering three goal to none second term had Federal scrambling to get back in the game.
Pioneer’s defence held up strongly against Federal as they were held goalless after the first term before getting just their second goal in fourth term.
However, a three goal fourth quarter for the Eagles helped storm away with the 30-point win cementing top spot on the ladder after round two.
Bella Foster and Larissa Bloomfield paired for two goals, as Esther Arabie, Lahni Gilby, and Kyanne Campbell all had one goal each for the Eagles.
Celine Ankers, Charlotte Rudd, and Felicity Bolles were among Federals best.
Meanwhile, in the Senior Men’s Division, Federal and Pioneer took home the chocolates in Round 2 as the battle for top spot heats up.
Federal got the job done against a resilient South’s side, with a five goal to three seconding securing the victory.
An inaccurate Federal side opened the opportunity for South’s to steal the win as the margin sat at eight points in favour of Federal at half time with Federal’s 13 scoring shots to South’s 10.
However, Souths could not be denied chances in the fourth quarter with six scoring shots but failing to capitalise on four occasions that might have swung the momentum late in the game, but two goals from the red and white sealed the fate of Souths as they record a 21-point loss.
Sam LaPorta continued his good form to start the season, with four goals, as Jesiah Minor had two of his own, with other contributions from Hugh Herben, Ariki Lowe, Shane Inkamala, Sammy Pearce, Will Mcnabb, and Abraham Ankers.
Pioneer and Rovers went down to the wire in their matchup, as the pendulum swung back and forth between the two sides.
The Eagles got the ball moving early on as they put the Rovers under pressure to start with a 14-point lead, but the door was kept open as they could only convert three majors from nine scoring shots. It wasn’t until a five goal to two in favour of the Rovers highlighted the missed opportunities from Pioneer.
An even third term set up for what was another thrilling last quarter in the CAFL, as the Eagles kicked two goals to one to just edge out the Rovers in a two-point win.
Unluckily for Rovers, a yellow card was given to a player before a head count was conducted resulting in their score being reverted to their three-quarter time score.
Kane Sevallos was relentless for Pioneer, kicking three goals. While Isaiah Miller and Robert Nardoo kicked two each, as Kaleel Ross and Shawn Foster scored a single major.
Jackson Cole, Nelson Anders, and Liam McDonald were also recognised for their match winning efforts.
Terrance Campbell (Three goals), Adam Cullen (Two goals), and Shaydan Close (Two goals) kept the Rovers in the game, with Travis King, Tyreeq Ahfat, and Francis amongst those recognised for their endeavours.
