A blockbuster Round 5 of the TIO Central Australian Football League has delivered a major shake-up in the Women’s division, with ladder leaders Federal knocked off their perch and Pioneer surging back into finals contention.
At Albrecht Oval, Pioneer produced a statement performance against South, running out emphatic 88-point winners to keep their top-four hopes alive. The Eagles were ruthless from the outset, slamming home five goals in the opening term and never relenting.
Danika McDonald, a standout from the Cazalys NT Talent Academy, was electric up forward with a five-goal haul. She was well-supported by a spread of contributors, including Jazmine Fitz, Thalia Kelly, Esther Arabie, and Viviana Petyarre, who each slotted two majors.
The dominant display sees Pioneer close the gap to fourth-placed Alkamilya to just two points.
Over at Jim McConville Oval, Federal’s unbeaten run came to an end at the hands of a disciplined Rovers outfit. The double blues suffocated Federal’s ball movement and capitalised on turnovers to grind out a hard-fought 13-point win.
While inaccuracy plagued Rovers - finishing with 6.7 - they maintained composure to hold top spot Federal to just 4.6. Demi-Lee Braun was superb, kicking two goals and racking up disposals at will. Carly Wilson also bagged two, while Keely Bishop, Brylee Kerrin, and Brooke Wilson played pivotal roles.
Federal’s Kirsty Driver and Horiana James fought valiantly, but the reigning minor premiers couldn’t match Rovers’ intensity.
The result lifts Rovers into third place, with a game in hand over their closest rivals.
Meanwhile, West have climbed to the top of the ladder following a bruising 23-point win over Alkamilya. In a tough contest, West controlled much of the play but found scoring difficult against a resolute Alkamilya defence.
Despite kicking just five goals, West’s midfield led by Rachel Davine, who also hit the scoreboard, did enough to keep Alkamilya at bay. Annabelle Glossop, Dalyce Jenner, and Jessica Harnischfeger also impressed.
For Alkamilya, Lily Childs, Jodie Rayner, and Chelsea Hayes stood out in a gritty showing.
In the Men’s division, Federal continued their strong run with a 23-point victory over Rovers in a scrappy contest at Jim McConville Oval.
Both sides struggled to convert early dominance into scoreboard pressure, with Federal leading 4.9 (33) to Rovers 2.8 (20) at halftime. A four-goal third term proved decisive for Federal, holding off a late Rovers surge that saw them boot four final-quarter goals.
Lachlan Dunemann starred for Federal, supported by Alonzo Nelson, Ben Durkin, and Jamal Lynch. For Rovers, Kaleel Ross, Issaha Forbes, and Tyreeq Ahfat provided plenty of spark.
Pioneer avoided a Round 5 upset, outlasting a spirited South Alice Springs by 24 points.
The reigning premiers bolted out of the gates with a four-goal first term, but South responded bravely to draw level by three-quarter time. Locked at 66 apiece heading into the final term, Pioneer’s class shone through, kicking six goals to two in a commanding finish.
Marcus McDonald, Mackiah Jones, Isaiah Miller, Shane Inkamala, and Thomas Swan each contributed two goals, while 2024 Grand Final best-on-ground medallist Matt Campbell led the way with three.
With the 2025 Toyota AFL Premiership match between the Melbourne Demons and St Kilda at TIO Traeger Park this weekend, all senior divisions will have a bye round. Tickets to the match can be purchased online on Ticketmaster.