As the 2025 Barkly Australian Football League heads into its final home and away round of the season this weekend, last week’s action offered plenty of drama, tight contests and finals-shaping results.
Epenarra produced a statement performance against Canteen Creek, claiming a 15-point victory in what loomed as an early finals preview.
The Saints held narrow leads at the first two breaks, four points at quarter-time and nine at the half, before pulling away in the second half as the Blues failed to convert their opportunities.
Rekiah Chungaloo was the star, booting three goals, while Marcia Peterson added two. For Canteen Creek, Alexandria Long stood tall with two majors and Kirani Long also impressed in a losing effort.
In a clash between second and third on the ladder, Canteen Creek overcame a sluggish start to edge out YDU by 11 points in a spirited contest.
Trailing 21–1 at quarter-time, the Blues clawed back with four goals to two in the second term, cutting the margin to single digits at half-time. A blistering third quarter turned the game on its head, with Canteen Creek slamming through four goals to one to take control.
Troyston Corbett, Jason Burton and Garrick Bob combined for six goals, forming a dangerous forward line. For YDU, Tyrell Green kept his side in the fight with three goals and continues to loom as a key finals threat.
Ali Curung also kept their finals hopes alive with a crucial 15-point win over Epenarra.
After trailing by two points at the main break, the Kangaroos steadied and made the most of their opportunities, kicking four second-half goals to one while the Saints squandered chances in front of goal.
Ethan Wilson was Ali Curung’s leading scorer with two goals, while Kelvin Williams, Max Morton and Hezron Miller also found the scoreboard. The Saints, meanwhile, must now defeat Barkly Work Camp this week and hope other results fall their way to keep their premiership dream alive.
The round closed with a nail-biter as the Spitfires held off Barkly Work Camp in a tense finish.
The Spitfires led by 22 points at half-time but were reeled in as BWC surged with three unanswered goals in the third term. In a scrappy final quarter dominated by behinds, the Spitfires edged clear, eventually prevailing by four points thanks to four straight behinds.
Lachlan Dunemann was best afield, supported strongly by Damain Bahr Kelly, Kane Sevallos-Seden and Lauchlan Lake. For BWC, Marcus Ross, Alistair Burns and Jacob Long were among the five individual goal-kickers who almost dragged their side over the line.