PUKATJA have come from nowhere to seal a spot in this weekend's Far North West Sports League football grand final at Ernabella.
The Magpies held off a fast-finishing Amata side to win by eight points in their preliminary final last Saturday, 8.8 (56) to 6.12 (48), and will now play in the league's second grand final against defending premiers, Mimili.
But Pukatja will have to cover for Lachlan Colin, who received a automatic two-match ban for striking.
Amata was keen to have another go at Mimili in the grand final, having been beaten by them last year but the Bombers couldn't peg back the 27-point margin Pukatja raced out to in the third quarter of their match.
The Magpies, led by Frederick Minor with five goals, had a one-goal lead at half-time before turning it on in the third quarter where they added four goals. Amata were their own worst enemies, kicking 3.7 in the final term.
The loss means Amata goes out in straight sets, having ended the season on top of the ladder with just the one loss before the finals. Pukatja were fourth on the ladder and had to navigate their way past Murputja in the first semi-final before meeting Amata in last Saturday's preliminary final.
Scoreboard:
Pukatja 8.8 (56) def. Amata 6.12 (48)
Goals
Pukatja: Frederick Minor 5, James Lewis 1, Lachlan Colin 1, Alwyn Andy 1.
Amata: Hardy Potter 3, Leigh Blumberg 2, Ishmael Burton 1.
Umpires: Nigel Ken, Jeremy Henry, Brian Gillman (Adelaide).
DARREN MONCRIEFF
AboriginalFootball@westnet.com.au
Thursday, August 21, 2008
Scores provided by the SANFL
Last Modified on 21/08/2008 00:59