The Arnhem Crows capped off their flawless 2025 Big Rivers Football League campaign with a commanding grand final victory over the Ngukurr Bulldogs, sealing their third consecutive premiership.
The Crows wasted no time asserting dominance, piling on three unanswered goals in the opening term, including two from league leading goalkicker Lynelle Ahfat, to open a 20-point buffer.
Ngukurr fought back in the second, responding to an early strike from Rianna Ryan with majors from Tyanne Turner and Ammeretta Wesan to trim the margin to 15 points at half time.
A tense, low-scoring third quarter followed, but a clutch goal from Georgina Runyu pushed Arnhem’s lead back to 23 at the final change. With the Bulldogs tiring, the Crows pounced, goals to Ahfat and Ashanti Bush sparking wild celebrations as Arnhem stormed to a 47-point triumph.
The result marked Arnhem’s fifth women’s premiership since 2020 (2020, 2021, 2023, 2024, 2025). Ahfat’s four-goal haul earned her the Best on Ground medal, while teammates Jonita Kingsley and Tynequa Bush were also standouts. For Ngukurr, captain Janita Robertson and Tessa Daniels were praised for their tireless defensive efforts.
The Katherine Camels claimed their fifth BRFL premiership in dramatic fashion, fending off a fast-finishing Ngukurr Bulldogs in a nail-biting senior men’s grand final.
Ngukurr had the dream start, with Cedric Robertson igniting the Bulldogs’ fans in the opening minutes. But the Camels seized momentum, booting four consecutive goals before quarter time, Josh Carlin striking twice alongside Wade Rosas and Lachlan Wareham, to lead by 20 points at the first break.
The Bulldogs kept within striking distance through goals from Joseph Andrews and Michael Joshua, but Camel’s class shone through. Carlin and Daniel Vercoe, the 2025 Doug Kelly Medallist, were pivotal, with Vercoe’s late third-term goal giving the Camels breathing space heading into the final quarter.
When Tristan Warner extended the lead to 26 early in the last, the game looked over. But Ngukurr refused to lie down, with a blistering three-goal burst from Dwayne Hall, Jarrad Andrews, and Tyzacc Farrell cutting the margin to just six points.
In the clutch moments, Katherine steadied. Brock Peirce calmed the nerves before Carlin slotted his third from close range to secure the flag.
Carlin, Rosas, Harold Sage, and Jordan Thompson were instrumental in the Camels’ win, while Ngukurr’s Kurt Silver was outstanding, earning the Grey Morris Best on Ground medal in a losing effort.