Round 1 of the 2026 Big Rivers Football League season opened in dramatic fashion, with the Katherine River Saints edging out the Northern Warlpiri Mozzies in a thrilling contest.
The Saints held a narrow three-point advantage at quarter-time and maintained that margin into the main break, leading 11-8 in a tightly contested affair where neither side was prepared to give ground.
The game opened up in the third quarter as both teams kicked two goals apiece, leaving scores level at the final change and setting up a tense finish.
Both sides struck early in the last term, but despite some inaccuracy in front of goal, the Saints did enough to secure a gripping three-point victory to launch their campaign.
Co-captains Matilda Cameron and Kaylia Coolwell led from the front for Katherine, while Abbey Wilson also impressed in the season opener.
For the Mozzies, Debra Cook, Jaylene Jurrah and Laweena Rose were instrumental in a spirited performance that fell just short of delivering the club its first win.
In the men’s division, the Katherine Camels began their premiership defence with a dominant performance over the Mozzies. The reigning premiers controlled the game from early on and produced a high-scoring display, to take a comfortable win. Daniel Vercoe stood out for the Camels, supported by Ricky Walsh and Mitch and Josh Carlin.
Despite the result, the Mozzies showed some promising signs in their first senior men’s BRFL outing, with contributions from Brian Joshua, Kyle Doolan and Mazlan Patrick.
The Katherine River Saints capped off a successful day for the club with a strong win over the Arnhem Crows.
Katherine made the early running, kicking two first-quarter goals to open up a 10-point lead, while the Crows squandered several opportunities with four early behinds.
Arnhem responded impressively in the second term with a three-goal burst to cut the margin to four points at half-time and throw the contest wide open.
However, the Saints seized control after the main break, outscoring the Crows three goals to one in the third quarter before finishing strongly with four goals to one in the final term to seal a convincing 35-point victory.
Kayle Kossack, Gabriel Mulholland and vice-captain Aaron Shields were among the Saints’ best in an impressive team performance.
For the Crows, Sonic Roy, Zeallian Andrews and Peter Harrington battled hard in their opening match of the season.