All Stars take title from East Arnhem CatsMANINGRIDA are the new champions of Qantas KickStart Country Championships after they defeated East Arnhem Cats by 36 points in Darwin this week.
After finishing at the top the table at the conclusion of the eight-team, round-robin competition, the Maningrida (pictured) were clearly a cut above the rest and were deserved winners of the Grand Final. The All Stars beat the Cats 9.6 (60) to 4.0 (24). Teams in the carnival came from all over the Territory: Central Australia, Barkly region, Daly river, Katherine, Arnhem Land and the Tiwi Islands. The championships have been hailed a great success by providing an insight to a lot of talented youngsters.
Maningrida's Xavier Darcy was judged best player in the tournament and in the Grand Final. The All Stars also provided four players for the event's 'All-Star' team, equal most with the Central Australian Warriors.
"The Country Championships not only provided these kids with the chance to play competitive football but it also allowed a number of players to be identified for various programs we have on offer in the NT and through the Qantas AFL KickStart program," said AFL Northern Territory game development manager, Kevin Bruce.
The carnival included not only football but a host of activities including talks from NT Thunder players, AFL Indigenous Ambassador Michael Long and also recently AIS/AFL-appointed head coach, Jason McCartney. McCartney delivered a seminar to the children at Charles Darwin University around leadership and goal-setting skills. He shed some light on his colourful playing career and his well documented comeback after the horrific Bali bombings in 2002.
"Jason's seminar provided the kids with a great insight into what it takes to be an elite footballer. The key messages he and other presenters have delivered during this carnival are messages we hope the kids take back to their communities," Bruce said.
At the conclusion of his seminar McCartney handed out All Star team guernseys to the best players, umpires and coaches of the three-day carnival.
The Qantas AFL KickStart Country Championships provides remote Indigenous players with an opportunity to be identified for talented player programs including the NT Thunder program, Qantas AFL KickStart camp and the Flying Boomerangs which is an Indigenous Australian under-16 team.
2009 Qantas KickStart Country Championship standings (after round-robin)Maningrida All Stars 28pts, Central Australia Warriors 24, East Arnhem Cats 16, West Arnhem Storm 16, Tiwi Bombers 16, Katherine Hawks 4, Barkly Tigers 4, Daly River 4.
2009 Qantas KickStart AwardsPlayers of Carnival and Player of Grand Final: Xavier Darcy
Umpire of Carnival: Gerard Watson (Maningrida)
2009 Qantas AFL KickStart All Star team
Central Australia Warriors Geoffrey Pareroultja, Douglas Meneri, Maxie Pareroultja, Matthew Moketarinja
Barkly Tigers Saverio Holmes, Nathanial Long
Katherine Hawks Clint McDonald
Tiwi Bombers Barry Ullungura, Gene Puruntatameri, Kenny Puruntatameri
West Arnhem Storm Laban Nabegeyo, Peter Ohakuwarr, Jarrad Wanambi
East Arnhem Cats Jimes Wunungmurra, Sebastian Wanabi, Shannon Jaragba
Maningrida All Stars Xavier Darcy, Jonah Gulwa, Cornelious Roy, Jarius Wilson
Daly River Walon Dumoo, Jeremy Kirbroo
Coach Jonathon (Maningrida)
Umpire Gerard Watson (from Maningrida)
AFL NORTHERN TERRITORY
AFLNT.com.au
Thursday, June 11, 2009
Last Modified on 11/06/2009 13:01