Hunters take carnival honours

Roebourne was treated to an exciting weekend of indigenous football when Ngarluma and Yindjibarndi Foundation hosted their invitational football carnival. The event, now in its seventh year, had nine teams from around the Pilbara competing in roundrobin matches before the top four went into the play-offs.

Teams included the Ieramugadu Magpies, Roebourne Regional, Wakkathuni Warriors, Jigalong Eagles, Yandeyarra Bulls, Wiluna Saints, Ieramugadu Razors, Pilbara Warralong Bombers and Youngaleena Hunters. In the play-offs, Yandeyarra Bulls beat Jigalong Eagles by one goal, 3.7 (25) to 3.1 (19), and Youngaleena Hunters had a big win over the Ieramugadu Magpies, 6.4 (40) to 3.5 (23).

Yandeyarra Bulls got off to a good start in the grand final to lead the Youngaleena Hunters, 4.2 (26) to 1.4 (10), at the end of the first quarter, but the Hunters piled on the goals in the following quarters, winning the match 9.4 (58) to the Bulls’ 6.4 (40). Hunters coach Donny Wilson said it was one of the most amazing feelings to win. “Credit to Yandeyarra Bulls. That game could’ve gone either way, and credit to my boys, they just kept peppering and hammering and hammering, but look, I don’t know what to say; I’m just rapt,” he said.

Youngaleena Hunters came second last year and this time round only had one loss across the whole weekend. An awards presentation followed the grand final. Jigalong Eagles won the team award, Mitchell Walker was named leading goal-kicker with 11, Warrick Wilson was named best and fairest in the grand final and Jaiden Brown was best and fairest across the competition.

A big crowd of more than 200 watched the games across all three days. NYFL sports and recreation consultant Arnold Lockyer directed the competition, and said the event was a way to get families to celebrate NAIDOC Week, celebrate who they are as a people and enjoy each other’s company. This year the event was sponsored by the Water Corporation, V Swans, PCYC and Saint John Ambulance.