Top teams compete in Gurrung Carnival
Jabiru Heat celebrate their fifth win in a row in the Men’s Basketball competition.
Sportspeople from across West Arnhem communities and the top end went head-to-head in the 7th annual Gurrung Sports Carnival on September 2 and 3.
With 19 teams from Gunbalanya, Maningrida, Jabiru, Darwin’s St Johns College, Minjilang, Warruwi, Daly River and West Arnhem Girls Academy, the sports carnival brought some 300 competitors to Jabiru to take part in the men’s and women’s basketball and men’s AFL competition over two days.
Each competition saw a battle of the best and each winning team put up a hard fight to come out on top.
In the end, the reigning Jabiru Heat won the men’s basketball competition for the fifth consecutive year.
The women’s basketball competition was hard-fought with the Warruwi Mardbalk Cats getting the win in the end.
The men’s AFL grand final game was certainly a highlight with a very close score in the end. Eventually the 2015 defending champions the Minjilang Eagles were victorious for the fourth consecutive year.
Hosted by West Arnhem Regional Council, Gurrung Sports Carnival is the largest regional sports event and is a highlight event on the West Arnhem sporting calendar which brings communities together.
This year’s event carnival once again ran in conjunction with the Mahbilil Festival which is a regional celebration of local lifestyle and culture (Further Coverage on Page 1).
West Arnhem Regional Council wishes to thank all players, spectators, coaches, referees, sponsors and supporters of the 2016 Gurrung Sports Carnival.
MINJILANG EAGLES STAY ON TOP
Spectators at the men’s AFL grand final game were certainly divided as the reigning champions the Minjilang Eagles took on the home team the Jabiru Bombers at the Brockman Oval.
The two teams made it to the grand final after a huge day of playing footy which begun at 8.30am that morning.
Heavy rains in the middle of the day didn’t stop the competition, as teams continued to produce brilliant plays on the field. The grand final game was played in 12 minute halves with the first half seeing Minjilang in front 7-1.
The second half brought on plenty of cheers from the crowd as the Bombers fought back to gain 13 points, but it was not enough to catch Minjilang’s total of 19.
As the final horn sounded, the field became a storm of yellow and blue as Minjilang supporters ran out to congratulate their team on their fourth consecutive win. The team’s biggest supporter, Sport and Recreation Officer Matthew Cooper couldn’t contain his excitement and pride for the players.
Meanwhile, the Minjilang Team Captain wanted to thank the Jabiru players and said he hoped to go head-to-head against them in next year’s Gurrung Spots Carnival.
JABIRU DEFEND HOME TURF
The defending champions of the men’s basketball, Jabiru Heat, were ready to take home the win once again from the get-go with a fantastic display of skills on the court.
The team went on the play and win many of their six games on Friday at the JSSC courts in front of their home crowd.
However the Minjilang Tigers also dominated many of their games against Gunbalanya, Maningrida and St Johns College throughout the evening to make it to the grand final against Jabiru Heat.
All eyes were on the court as the two teams played a fast-paced first half with Jabiru getting seven points to lead to Minjilang’s two.
After regrouping at half time, Minjilang put up a huge fight to get in front but the champions were once again too strong to get in front by one point. In the end, Jabiru Heat took the win 15-9.
WARRUWI BEST ON SHOW
The women’s basketball competition was once again held over two days with a change of venue from the Jabiru Sports and Social Club to the Jabiru School courts.
A great line up of teams from Gunbalanya, Maningrida, Minjilang, St Johns College, Warruwi and two teams from West Arnhem Girls Academy guaranteed a tough battle on the courts.
Defending champions the Minjilang Tigers were out to defend their title however it was the Warruwi Mardbulk Cats and St Johns College at the end to take on the grand final game at the Jabiru School.
With both teams travelling a long way to compete, they definitely were in it to win.
The grand final game was a great battle with just 4 points separating the two teams as the countdown finished with Warruwi out in front with 11 points to 7.
Warruwi player Richelle Dhamarrandji was a standout on the courts with the umpires later awarding her the Most Valuable Player trophy.
Women's basketball runners-up, St John's College.