The opening week of the 2025 TIO Central Australian Football League Finals Series, delivered no shortage of action with the race for premiership glory heating up across both the men’s and women’s divisions.
Rovers secured a preliminary final berth with a hard-fought win over Alkamilya. The Rovers burst out of the blocks with a 9–0 lead before Alkamilya found their first score late in the half, but Rovers maintained control to stretch the margin to 15 points at the main break. Despite Alkamilya’s persistence, Rovers held firm to record a 27-point victory.
For Alkamilya, the loss ends a promising campaign, highlighted by a brilliant season from leading goalkicker Regan Maher-Moldrich and strong contributions from Kahlisha Rioli, Jodie Rayner and Hayley Maher.
Rovers now turn their attention to the preliminary final, with key players Lara Harding, Delaicee Hansen and Doreena Hansen expected to play pivotal roles.
Federal became the first team to book a TIO CAFL Grand Final spot after a gritty, low-scoring win over West. In a tense opening half, Federal held a slender 8–2 lead at the main break, and while the goals dried up again in the third, their pressure kept West scoreless. West couldn’t find a late spark, as Federal held on for a nine-point triumph.
West will have one last chance to reach the decider when they face Rovers in the preliminary final, with Annabelle Glossop, Michelle Ellis and Emily Duncombe key to their hopes. Federal, meanwhile, will enjoy a week off, with Margaret Liddle Medallist Alana Chalmers eager to stamp her authority on the season’s biggest stage.
In the men’s, Rovers kept their season alive with a gritty 14-point win over Souths. Despite dominating possession and racking up nine scoring shots in the opening quarter, Rovers could only edge ahead by four points. Wasteful kicking kept Souths within striking distance at halftime, but Rovers gradually found reward for effort after the break to secure a spot in the preliminary final.
Travis King, Deacon Braun and Luke Adams shared the load up forward with two goals apiece, while Minahan Medal standouts Shaydan Close and Kaleel Ross loom as crucial figures in the weeks ahead. Souths’ campaign ended with pride intact, led by strong efforts from Michael Tilmouth-Turner and Orlando Turner.
Federal sealed their passage to the Grand Final with a stirring comeback against Pioneer. The Eagles made the early running, holding a 13-point lead at quarter time and 12 by halftime. But Federal turned the tide in the third term, dominating territory and cutting the margin to just two points with a quarter to play. They then powered home with four goals to one in the final term to claim a 19-point win.
Lachlan Dunemann, Daniel Gorry and Braydon Weily were standouts as Federal eye redemption after last year’s Grand Final heartbreak against Pioneer. The Eagles will now regroup for the preliminary final, relying on leaders Nathaniel Lampton, Shawn Foster and Kane Sevallos-Seden to spark another shot at glory.
2025 TIO CAFL Finals Week Two (TIO Traeger Park):
Women’s:
Preliminary Final – 2:30pm, Saturday 6 September: West v Rovers
Men’s:
Preliminary Final – 4:00pm, Saturday 6 September: Pioneer Eagles v Rovers
Both matches will be streamed live on the AFLNTv YouTube Channel.