Tigers warm up with win over TapalingaIMALU is through to the Tiwi Islands Football League's pre-season March 22 grand final after defeating Tapalinga in the second semi-final yesterday.
The Tigers continue to have the wood in the big games on the Superstars, which will meet either Ranku or Muluwurri in next weekend's preliminary final.
Tapalinga's opponent for next week's match will be decided on the outcome of a hearing in which it is alleged Ranku fielded players not listed as theirs in the first semi-final. The Eagles defeated Muluwurri yesterday but that result is being disputed.
Imalu defeated Tapalinga in an epic encounter in March last year to claim the 2007/08 season premiership.
The TIFL's 2008/09 season was abandoned after only four games were played up to the half-way point of the season (early January) due to widespread road closures on the islands following heavier than usual rainfall.
The league is still on track to begin its first ever dry season competition -- expected to be 18 rounds plus finals -- but no date has yet been finalised as to when Round 1 will get underway.
And there could be a change in plans to play its 2009 Grand Final before the AFL's.
In February, the Tiwis were looking at playing their decider after the AFL Grand Final on September 26. But they are now considering playing their grand final two weeks before on Saturday, September 12.
A spokesman for the league said these and other issues are still being worked through.
DARREN MONCRIEFF
Darren@AboriginalFootball.com.au
Monday, March 9, 2009
Last Modified on 10/03/2009 21:32