Gurrung goes off in carnival of sports action

Minjilang Tigers captain Barkley Cooper accepts the#Gurrung Men's AFL 2014 Premiership Trophy from Jesse O'Keefe on behalf of the Croker Island team, the reigning premiers from 2013.

The 2014 Gurrung Sports Carnival is over for another year, with hundreds of competitors travelling home to their communities. Some will be carrying trophies, some will be carrying bruises and battered pride – but all competitors will carry with them memories of a great couple of days of sport and sportsmanship.

The games got underway in Jabiru on Friday 5 September, winding up with the Men’s AFL Grand Final, set against the stunning backdrop of the West Arnhem escarpment, closing the carnival at dusk on 6 September 2014.

And as the dust settled, it was Jabiru Heat holding the trophy for the Men’s Basketball Premiership, having defeated Mardbalk Cats in the final. Most Valuable Player was Nathan Payne for the Heat. In the Women’s games, Maningrida Allstars emerged victorious, with Minjilang’s Croker Eagles taking the honours for 2014 Runners-Up. Most Valuable Player in the Women’s Basketball was Patsy Yambo Skinner from St John’s College.

The Men’s AFL competition was a spectacular display, featuring players from Daly River, Gunbalanya, Maningrida, Croker Island, Goulburn Island, Pine Creek and Darwin.

Umpire Gerry Wood, who is also the NT Member for Nelson, said he was glad to be back in Jabiru for the Gurrung carnival.

“Anything that brings people together, be they aboriginal or non-aboriginal, is good, and sport is one of the ways to do it,” he said.

“It doesn’t matter what colour you are, you can always tell the umpire they got it wrong! But seriously, Gurrung is good for Jabiru as a local centre, and brings together people who otherwise might not have that opportunity.”

The competition was tough, but last year’s premiers, Minjilang, made it through to the grand final, to face a tremendously motivated Kybrook Lions. Both teams went into the finals undefeated.

After the Lions took an early lead, the Tigers fought back to win 6.2.38 to 3.2.20 at the siren.

Best on Ground went to Ashton Yarmirr from Minjilang Tigers. 

Gurrung Sports Carnival organisers thank their Major Sponsors The Cricket and Football Shop and the Jabiru Sports and Social Club and the local businesses and Northern Territory organisations whose generous support and sponsorship made this event possible.

The Gurrung Sports Carnival is an initiative of the West Arnhem Regional Council to develop and support healthy participation in sport and recreation in the region. 

For more carnival action, check out the photo album on the West Arnhem Regional Council facebook page here.

2014 #Gurrung Women's Basketball Premiers, Maningrida Allstars.

2014 #Gurrung Men's Basketball Premiers Jabiru Heat (in black uniforms) with Runners-Up Mardbalk Cats (blue uniforms) from Warruwi after the Men's Basketball Grand Final.