Injalak top guns in footy final

Injalak proudly display their colours in the grand final at Gunbalanya Oval on Saturday 17 May. See more photos on at the West Arnhem Regional Council facebook page here.

THE community of Gunbalanya was out in force on Saturday 17 May to watch Banyan go head-to-head with arch-rivals Injalak at the footy grand final.

Organised by West Arnhem Regional Council’s Youth, Sport and Recreation team, the event drew a big crowd for four quarters of fierce footy. Showing good class in the ruck, and with Hilton Garnarradj moving into space around the ground, Injalak applied pressure early, leaving Banyan to play catch-up for the first two quarters.

Jobie Managku displayed good strength in defence for Banyan, while Dylan Cooper pulled in one screamer on the sideline that had the crowd on their feet as they watched him boot a six-pointer to narrow the scores.

But it was always going to be tough chasing down the purple powerhouse, and Injalak continued to pepper the posts and finally run away with a 13-point victory 14.13 (97) to 12.12 (84).

A big thanks go to the Night Patrol teams from Gunbalanya, Warruwi and Minjilang who provided security on the day, and to local umpires who stepped in after the Darwin refs found themselves on the wrong side of a rising Magela Creek!

Hilton Garnarradj pulls down a screamer for Injalak.