The opening round of the 2025 Big Rivers Football League final series is now locked in, with a bumper weekend of football at the Katherine Showgrounds.
In the final round of the women’s division, Eastside produced a stirring comeback to eliminate Katherine South.
The Crocs burst out of the blocks, kicking the first two goals to hold an early two-kick lead.
They looked in control at half-time despite conceding a goal in the second quarter. But momentum swung dramatically in the third as Eastside edged within three points before storming home with three unanswered goals in the final term to clinch a 17-point victory.
Forward Nikesha Jones was the star with three goals, supported by Daena Thompson, Sonya Xavier and Stella Justice Allen in a strong team performance. For Katherine South, whose season ended with the loss, Jaidyn Eastaughffe and Harriet Rowe were standouts.
In the men’s, the community of Kalano witnessed one of the best games for the season, as the Northern Warlpiri Swans and Garrak Bombers fought out a nail-biter.
The Swans dominated territory early, holding narrow leads at the first two breaks before stretching the margin to 23 points at three-quarter time. But the Bombers launched a remarkable fightback, piling on six final-quarter goals. Waylon Campbell sealed the result with the match-winner, completing a four-point comeback win.
Roddy Jimmy and Denzel Gilbert lifted in the final minutes, while Warrick Campbell and Tyrese Raymond also played crucial roles. The Swans, despite the heartbreak, finished a strong season with plenty of positives.
The stage is now set for finals football. In the women’s elimination final, Ngukurr will face the Katherine Camels, while Arnhem and Eastside square off in a mouth-watering grand final rematch. In the men’s, Garrak Bombers and Ngukurr meet in elimination showdown before the Camels take on Arnhem in the qualifying final.
2025 BRFL Finals – Week One (Katherine Showgrounds):
Women’s
Qualifying Final – 11:00am Saturday, 23 August: Arnhem Crows v Eastside
Elimination Final – 12:30pm Saturday, 23 August: Ngukurr Bulldogs v Katherine Camels
Men’s
Elimination Final – 2:00pm Saturday, 23 August: Garrak Bombers v Ngukurr Bulldogs
Qualifying Final – 4:00pm Saturday, 23 August: Katherine Camels v Arnhem Crows