Alkamilya opened Round 12 of the 2025 TIO Central Australian Football League Women’s competition in style, securing a commanding win over Souths.
The Panthers were clinical with ball in hand, utilising sharp footwork and slick handpasses to dominate possession and keep Souths scoreless until the final quarter. The win also gave Alkamilya a healthy percentage boost.
Regan Maher-Moldrich starred up forward with five goals in a best-on-ground performance, while Hayler Maher, Kahlisha Rioli and Nicholle Cooke-Hayes were dominant across the ground. Co-captain Danielle Woods was also instrumental, finishing with three goals.
Despite the loss, Souths’ Marguerite Maher and Whitney Mununggurritj showed plenty of courage in defence.
In a crucial clash for second spot, Rovers held on for a gritty eight-point victory over West in a low-scoring affair that came alive in the final quarter.
Rovers opened the scoring with the game’s first major, but both sides struggled to break through in the second term, which produced just a solitary behind. West finally kicked their first goal in the third, narrowing the margin to one point at the final change.
Momentum swung back and forth in the last quarter, with West briefly taking the lead before Rovers responded with two late goals to seal the win.
Carly Wilson was a standout for Rovers, supported by Brylee Kerrin, Deaicee Hansen and Lara Harding. For West, Gigi Dadds continued her strong form and remains firmly in the mix for the Women’s Best and Fairest award.
Federal wrapped up the Women’s round with a comprehensive win over Pioneer, thanks to a dominant display from Sian Furniss.
Furniss was everywhere, kicking four goals and consistently threatening around the ground. She was well supported by Charlotte Rudd (three goals) and Kate Fessey (two), while Alice Faulks and Sarah Byrne provided plenty of drive through the middle.
For Pioneer, Talayah Kunoth was a bright spark on a tough afternoon.
The match of the round lived up to expectations, as Federal snatched a dramatic three-point win over Pioneer in a rematch of the 2024 Men’s Grand Final.
Pioneer looked the stronger side early, taking a 10-point lead into quarter time despite some costly inaccuracy, kicking 3.6 from nine scoring shots. Federal capitalised in the second quarter with three straight goals to reduce the margin, but Pioneer kept their noses in front with another inaccurate return of 2.4.
With just five points separating the teams at the final change, the stage was set for a tense finish. Pioneer controlled much of the last quarter but couldn’t convert, registering 1.6 to Federal’s 3.0 as the reigning premiers surged late to snatch the win.
Ariki Lowe was the hero for Federal with three goals, while Jesiah Minor also booted three. Lachlan Dunemann and Ben Semmler-Farr were vital across the ground.
For Pioneer, Shawn Foster and Mackiah Jones were standouts in a heartbreaking loss.
In the final match of the round, Rovers flexed their muscle with a 66-point win over West.
Rovers came out firing with a five-goal-to-two opening quarter and extended the lead with another five majors in the second to take a 41-point advantage into halftime.
West showed signs of a fightback in the third term, narrowing the margin slightly, but Rovers shut the door with a dominant final quarter, piling on four unanswered goals.
Deacon Braun and Tyson Woods led the charge with four goals apiece, while Magir Biel and Travis King were also influential. Malakai Le Rossignol and Connor Dunne added valuable run and link-up play.
West’s Henry Impu and Joshua Wallace battled hard throughout, providing resistance in an otherwise difficult outing.