The 2026 TIO Central Australian Football League finals series have been confirmed after a dramatic final round of the home-and-away season, highlighted by a one-point thriller.
Headlined by KFC Umpires Round the weekend celebrated the outstanding contribution of umpires, recognising their dedication and commitment throughout the 2026 season.
Souths delivered a commanding performance on the eve of finals, strengthening their premiership credentials with a clinical display.
The opening term was tightly contested as both sides battled for control, but Souths managed the only goal of the quarter to take a seven-point lead into the first break. From there, they took charge.
Four second-quarter goals gave Souths clear separation before they added two goals in each of the final two terms to set the standard heading into the finals.
Jodie Rayner and Alana Abbott led the way with two goals each, while vice-captain Telayla Turner, Demi-Lee Braun and Marquerite Maher also made important contributions.
Despite the defeat, Federal will feature in the finals and will look to mount a strong campaign through Emma Forsyth, Kate Fessey and Caitlin Shoulders.
In the men’s competition, Federal stamped their authority on the eve of finals, sending a clear reminder that they remain one of the teams to beat in 2026.
Federal were sharp from the outset, producing a four-goal-to-none opening term that laid the foundation for a dominant performance. Souths were unable to match Federal’s scoring power from that point on.
Will McNabb starred in the win, with Ariki Lowe also influential, while Federal’s forwards proved decisive as Fredrick Wheeler kicked five goals and Braydon Weily and Matthew Axten added three each.
Although finals were out of reach for Souths, they continued to compete until the final siren, with Akiel Webb, Kyle Stuart and Zedeiak Edwards among their best.
In the match of the round, West came within a point of completing one of the most remarkable comebacks in CAFL history.
Minor premiers Pioneers looked intent on reinforcing their premiership favouritism early, bursting out to a 34-point lead at quarter time.
After being stunned in the opening quarter, West responded strongly in the second, kicking four goals to two to reduce the margin to 23 points at halftime. They continued to chip away in the third term, narrowing the gap to 20 points.
West surged in the final quarter and put themselves within reach of an unlikely victory, kicking four goals and four behinds. Pioneers, however, found the crucial goal they needed to hold on by the slimmest of margins.
Pioneers’ Matt Campbell was outstanding and proved decisive in the result, while Kane Sevallos-Seden was composed throughout and Wesley Steele and Waylen Manson each kicked three goals.
For West, Jackson Renzi was impossible to ignore with an eight-goal haul, while Jarrad Combe and Jack Sandry were also influential as their side fell agonisingly short.
The CAFL acknowledges and thanks KFC for its continued support of the league and the vital role umpires play across the competition.
2026 TIO CAFL Finals Week One Fixture (TIO Traeger Park):
Women’s:
Qualifying Final – 9am, Saturday, 15 August: West vs South
Elimination Final – 10:30am, Saturday, 15 August: Rovers vs Federal
Men’s:
Qualifying Final – 4pm, Saturday, 15 August: Pioneer Eagles vs Rovers
Elimination Final – 6pm, Saturday, 15 August: West vs Federal