Katherine is set for a blockbuster finish to the 2025 Big Rivers Football League season, with the Grand Final match ups now locked in.
In the women’s division, last year’s Grand Final replay won’t be repeated, after Ngukurr overpowered Eastside in a dominant preliminary final display.
The Bulldogs set the tone early, keeping Eastside scoreless through the first half. Wasteful kicking in the opening term, nine scoring shots for just one goal, kept the margin respectable, but once Ngukurr found their rhythm the result was never in doubt. Eastside managed their first score in the third quarter, though by then the damage had been done. The Bulldogs powered away to a commanding 44-point win.
Ngukurr now face the formidable Arnhem Crows in the decider. Key forward Ammeretta Wesan was unstoppable inside 50 with three goals, while Charlyse Quinn, Shinika Turner and Rikannie Nunggumajbarr also starred and will be crucial again this weekend.
Despite bowing out, Eastside can look back on a strong season, with Jayde De La Coeur, Charlee Byers and Vayda Menmuir among their standouts.
In the men’s division, Ngukurr will meet the Katherine Camels after a stirring preliminary final triumph over the Arnhem Crows.
Scores were locked at quarter time in a tightly contested opening, but the Bulldogs seized control in the second term, kicking four goals to two. Arnhem fought back to close within nine points at the final change, before Ngukurr unleashed a blistering last quarter, piling on five goals to one to seal a 37-point victory.
Captain Kurt Silver was at his brilliant best, collecting possessions at will and slotting two goals. He had strong support from Dean Daniels (2), Jay Jaragba (3) and Euan Andrews (3), all of whom loom as key figures in this weekend’s Grand Final.
For the Crows, it was a case of missed opportunity, though veterans Cyril Rioli and Cyril Rankin, along with Tyrell Frederick, stood tall in defeat.
2025 Big Rivers Football League Grand Finals (Katherine Showgrounds):
Women’s:
Grand Final – 12:00pm, Saturday 6 September: Arnhem Crows v Ngukurr Bulldogs
Men’s:
Grand Final – 2:00pm, Saturday 6 September: Katherine Camels v Ngukurr Bulldogs
Both Grand Finals will be streamed live on the AFLNTv YouTube Channel.