Sport
22 July, 2026
ADJFA Finals set to begin
This Sunday sees the start of the ADJFA finals series and our TAC Round. We hope to see a big crowd of parents and supporters attend to cheer on the boys and girls and showcase our competition to Ange Ballinger, the AFL Regional Manager for Wimmera Mallee.
Ange will be our guest for the day, and it will be good for her to see how we operate and our facilities when other junior leagues in western Victoria have folded and are struggling for numbers and volunteers.
In the first game, we have the first semi-final between the Warriors and Rovers. This will see the winner proceed to next Sunday's preliminary final and the loser finish up for the season.
So far this season, the teams have met on four occasions, with each team winning twice. After a slow start to the year, the Rovers have improved week by week, and a very even clash is expected.
Rovers' joint captains James Roberts and Archer Reynolds have been in excellent form and are key-position players.
Jack Wilkie, up forward, can take a strong mark and, with Jhett Alexander, kick goals. Noah Hughes wins plenty of the ball across the centre, and Phoebe Harris plays well both up forward and in the back pocket.
For the Warriors, Toby Rameka-Matthews has had a great year and can play at centre half-back or in the ruck. Will Jarrett picks up plenty of possessions around the ground with Charlie Beer.
Oscar Phillips has settled well into the backline, and young Mason Thomas has excellent skills with both hands and feet. Jaxon Foster, up forward, regularly kicks goals, and Jhett Turner plays well.
In the second semi-final, we see the undefeated Bombers take on Mounties, who are getting better each week. Despite losing all their games against the Bombers so far, they are now kicking more goals against them and reducing the winning margin.
If Mounties are to have a chance, they must not let Bombers get off to their usual flying start; otherwise, it will be difficult for them to come from behind in the last three quarters.
The Bombers have many of the best top-aged players in the association, as shown in the recent Williamson/Tuckey Cup, where four of their players were in the best five.
Rowly Tucker, who has returned from an extended holiday, is a big inclusion, and Tom King has found form at the right time of the year.
Throw in ball magnet Hughie Cameron and younger players Harry Ward, Oliver Seres, Tucker Keilar and young Tucker, along with vice-captain Luke Fulton, and they have a very even, well-balanced side.
The Mounties are led by hard-at-the-ball captain Hunter Newberry. Hunter played a great game in the centre in the recent game against Stawell, and it will be interesting to see what position he lines up in on Sunday.
Sam Murnane, Zaiden McIntosh and Brax Cameron are all in form, and Kye Rimmell is one of the most improved players as the season has gone on. Rigby Holland gets plenty of the ball, and Charlie Ganley and Ace Cocks are known goal kickers.
Alana Matulick, who plays well every week, can be used up forward or in the backline.
Last week, in the lead-up to the finals, in sunny conditions, we saw one of the games of the year between Mounties and Warriors, with the Mounties holding on to win by nine points.
In the other game, the Bombers tuned up for the finals, kicking nine goals to one against Rovers in the first half.
After half-time, Bombers players Luke Fulton, Archie Harris, Tom King and Rowly Tucker spent a quarter each helping Rovers. Rovers then kicked three goals to only one by Bombers, with all the young Rovers getting a chance to get into the play and enjoy the game.
Thanks to Tatyoon players Riley Wood, Tom Bartlett and Jesse Ward for doing a good job umpiring the games.
Results: Round 11 – Sunday, 19th July
Bombers 10.15 (75) def Rovers 4.1 (25)
Best
Bombers: Rowly Tucker, Tom King, James McConaghy, Oliver Seres, Max Prior, George Tucker.
Rovers: Archer Reynolds, James Roberts, Jhett Alexander, Roy Brewis, Walter Brewis, William Barr.
Goals
Bombers: Oliver McDougall 5, Hughie Cameron 1, Archie Harris 1, Max Prior 1, Peter Smith 1, Rowly Tucker 1.
Rovers: Jhett Alexander 2, Jack Wilkie 2.
Warriors 4.5 (29) lost to Mounties 6.2 (38)
Best
Warriors: William Jarrett, Oscar Phillips, Toby Rameka-Matthews, Sawyer Jackson, Ezekyal Turner, Jhett Turner.
Mounties: Kye Rimmell, Flynn McMahon, Rigby Holland, Hunter Newberry, Frazer White, Asher Cameron.
Goals
Warriors: William Jarrett 2, Jaxon Foster 1, Sawyer Jackson 1.
Mounties: Charlie Ganley 3, Zaiden McIntosh 1, Sam Murnane 1, Hunter Newberry 1.
Sunday, 26th July
1st Semi-Final
9.30am: Warriors v Rovers
2nd Semi-Final
10.45am: Bombers v Mounties
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