Exciting finish to desert league

Pilbara footy and softball players battled dust storms as well as their opponents in the final round of the Western Desert League held at Warralong earlier this year.

Yet once the dust had settled, Warralong capped off their consistent effort across the three tournaments held this year by being crowned the 2015 Western Desert League champions in Aussie Rules, while Parnpajinya walked away with the softball title.

Non-profit Aboriginal group Ngurra Kujungka’s program manager Dan Barnes said the September 28 to October 1 tournament between remote indigenous communities Nullagine, Punmu, Parnpajinya, Jigalong, Parnngurr, Kunawaritji and Kiwirrkurra was a thriller.

With Warralong winning the footy grand final over Punmu by one point, he said it “was an exciting end to the league”.

Barnes said Telfer-based Ngurra Kujungka ran the three Western Desert League festivals each year to give remote indigenous communities the chance to take part in sport, music and health activities.

Coming into the Western Desert League’s round three leg, tournament hosts Warralong were already atop the league ladder.

This was due to their consistent performances in the first two tournaments.

Following close behind were Nullagine, Jigalong Suns and Punmu.

In the first three days of round three, Warralong justified this favouritism by dominating their games to finish undefeated.

Nullagine finished second to earn their place in the round three playoff by edging Punmu out by percentage after the home and away rounds.

Nullagine had been closest to Warralong during their round robin contest, suggesting the round three grand final match was not a foregone conclusion in favour of Warralong and this proved correct.

Nullagine jumped out of the blocks early and eventually won 2.7.19 to 1.2.8 in extremely difficult heat and wind to be crowned the round three winners.

However, the Western Desert League was not done as the teams had to back up for the play-off to be crowned the 2015 overall champion.

Round three winners Nullagine subsequently had to return to the field to take on Punmu for the right to meet Warralong for the overall title.

It seemed the earlier efforts had taken their toll on Nullagine as Punmu ran out convincing winners 6.4.40 to 4.0.24.

While Warralong led early in the grand final, Punmu staged a second quarter fight back to level things up at half time.

With the aid of a strong breeze the Warralong Bombers then got out to handy break at three quarter time and despite not kicking a goal in the last quarter held onto win by just one point in a thrilling finish.

The match ended Warralong 5.3.33 versus Punmu 5.2.32 as the home team became the Western Desert League Champions for 2015.

Heading into round three at Warralong, ladder leaders Punmu were overwhelming after finishing undefeated in round one and producing another strong showing in round two where they were again the winners.

Yet they expected to be challenged by Nullagine and Parnpajinya, who were no doubt the most improved side in 2015.

Like the football league, the top two teams – Punmu versus the ever improving Parnpajinya – met in the play-off for the round three title.

For the young girls from Parnpajinya just outside Newman, the final proved to be their first festival win as they defeated Punmu by one run.

To decide the 2015 Western Desert League overall winners, Punmu and Parnpajinya again squared-off – this time in a semi-final.

Warralong and Nullagine meanwhile played off in a knock-out first semi-final.

Parnpajinya proved their round three festival win earlier had been no fluke as they backed up to defeat Punmu again and win their way straight into the grand final.

Warralong meanwhile knocked out Nullagine to earn the right to play Punmu for a place in the 2015 Western Desert League grand final.

Warralong followed up their performance by also beating favourites Punmu to earn their spot against Parnpajinya.

Parnpajinya began the grand final strongly with big hitting that was then equally matched by Warralong.

Yet despite being a tight battle early, the Hawks ran away in the last innings to be crowned the 2015 Western Desert League Champions.

Sponsors Newcrest Mining, the Department of Sport and Recreation, Healthway, Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet, Shire of East Pilbara and Brooks Hire provided great support to Ngurra Kujungka for the three tournaments.