Strong Lions defeat under-strength CrocsDUE to cultural commitments in neighbouring Numbulwar, teams in the Groote Eylandt Football League had many of its players missing, with close to three quarters of regular footballers away for ceremony.
Still, Round 4 went ahead with Umbakumba Lions fielding a strong side to take on an under-manned Angurugu Crocs in the early game at the Angurugu town oval.
The resourceful Crocs managed to round up some extra support just before the first bounce, which prevented a forfeit, making the Lions at least having to play for the premiership points.
As expected the Lions came out hard and fast at the opening bounce, kicking two quick goals through Joelle Bara. Key Crocs player, Alverston Lalara, back early from ceremony, managed to kick the first goal for his team. Aware the Crocs had no bench, the Lions were running the interchange every five minutes, bringing fresh legs onto the ground, thereby tiring the Crocs quickly.
The onslaught of goals came through a large number of Lions players, showcasing the depth and eagerness of all players to get amongst the action. Twelve goals were kicked to the Crocs' two coming into the half-time break.
For much of the second half, the Crocs knew they were far too undermanned to fight back so they opted to flood the backline in a bid to stop the game from becoming a 200-point whitewash. In the end, the Lions won by 146 points, 24. 15 (159) to 2.1 (13). Calvin Mamarika was outstanding for the Lions as was Benuel Mamarika. A gutsy effort by the Crocs' Alverston Lalara who kicked the Angurugu's team's only two goals, and team-mate Shadrach Bara who tried hard at fullback.
In the second game, the absence of players was felt more so than in the first, with the Umbakumba Roos forfeiting to the Alyangula Swans.
The teams' two captains, however, decided to play a scratch match instead -- with quarters reduced to 12 minutes -- giving anyone who was keen to have a kick the chance to play. In what seemed like a fun training exercise for all involved, the Swans beat a mixed Umbakumba Roos team 8.8 (56) to 2.3 (15).
Round 5 will be played at Alyangula on Saturday evening, August 1. The first game starts at 5pm between Umbakumba's Roos and Lions, and the match between the Angurugu Tigers and the Alyangula Swans will start at 7pm.
AFL NORTHERN TERRITORY
AFLNT.com.au
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Last Modified on 28/07/2009 22:37