The stage is set for the 2025 Barkly Australian Football League Grand Finals after a dramatic weekend of preliminary finals at Purkiss Reserve.
In the women’s division, the Spitfires held their nerve to claim a hard-fought victory over the Saints. The Spitfires burst out of the blocks with a nine-point lead in the opening term and added a second major in the second quarter. The Saints dominated possession but couldn’t convert, limping to half-time at 0.5 (5).
Epenarra finally broke through with their first goal after the main break, but the Spitfires immediately hit back to maintain control. A final-term goal sealed the result, booking the Spitfires a Grand Final berth and leaving the Saints to rue their missed opportunities.
The men’s clash followed a similar script of momentum swings. BWC opened strongly with three goals to one for an early 14-point lead, but YDU turned the tables in the second quarter, slamming on four unanswered goals to take a 12-point advantage into half-time.
YDU kept the pressure on in the third, piling on five more goals to stretch the margin to 36 points at the final change. BWC mounted a late fightback with three final-term goals, but two steadies from YDU secured a 31-point win and a ticket to the Grand Final against ladder leaders Elliott.
YDU will take plenty of confidence from their commanding second half but will be wary of another sluggish start on the competition’s biggest stage. BWC, meanwhile, can hold their heads high after a spirited campaign that saw them come within striking distance of an unlikely Grand Final appearance.
2025 BAFL Grand Finals (Purkiss Reserve):
Women’s:
Grand Final – 1:00pm Saturday, 20 September: Elliott Hawks v Sporties Spitfires
Men’s:
Grand Final – 3:00pm, Saturday, 20 September: Elliott Hawks v YDU
Following the conclusion of an AFL Northern Territory investigation into player eligibility during the 2025 BAFL Finals Series, the result of this match is no longer recognised.
The Preliminary Final in which this match was contested has been deemed a forfeit. As a result, Elliott Hawks, as the 2025 Minor Premiers, are now formally acknowledged as the 2025 BAFL Senior Men’s Premiers.