AFL Masters and AFL 9's here to stay
Thursday, 15th December 2011
By Clint Degebrodt
The team names were as diverse as the players with Ishmal taking the eventual honours which in this case winning nothing. Ishmal was a mixed bunch of players coming together to form a strong team with players including teachers, primary school students, Water Corporation office and depot staff, as well as Rio Tinto and Worley workers. Ishmal boasted a quality contingent of Indigenous players from within these and other companies and included residents of Dampier, Karratha, Wickham and Roebourne.
Also winning nothing was Baggers and Taggers. Predominantly Shire employees with some Telstra, Rio Tinto, Woodside and NWTIS staff, this was the team to beat with their work place honed communication skills seeing their ball movement was the best in the competition.
Mud Crabs came in third and took the third share of nothing. The Crabs are almost exclusively Whelan’s and Elks Surveys staff. The large New Zealand contingent was fantastic to have in the AFL based competition with their Union skills transferring nicely. There was also several first time footy players who proved handy and remarkably they are looking for a Division 1 spot in 2012.
The only team that took a prize was the Hacks who won a choice of fabulous cooking spoons for their home culinary exploits. This was the most diverse team with employees from a wide variety of companies including Monadelphous, Allmine, KJV, Rio Tinto and Woodside. This team provided playing opportunities to a large number of FIFO workers who came in and out of the team according to their swings, proving how valuable FIFO workers are to community sport participation.
Next year looks bigger with a Water Corporation team coming online under the playing name of “Crocs” while the 4 original teams will go around the block again. Other social teams are welcome of course.
The Swans V Swans Medal for the MVP went to Darryl Wright, a player famous for his longevity and staying power. Not only is he still playing NPFL footy, but at 49 is one of the older blokes running around in the Pilbara Masters. Wright is a deserving winner and the only player in the whole competition to poll more than once, polling 4 times.
Huge thanks go once again to the Harris family who are outstanding supporters of the 9‘s program. They ran the Kats Club, set things up and kept things open. Shane Harris provided a steady stream of ice bags particularly to Ishmal’s namesake Captain. Thanks very much to Steele and Riley Barham for their hard work, Chase Rye, Chris Ryan, Giselle Hasen Ashley and Jaxon Degebrodt, and a big thanks to Jesse Turner and Phil Khongjaroen who umpired, set up and assisted both the female and male comps.
Masters AFL 9’s will be back again in March 2012, and will be joined by the Female, Men’s Division 1 programs as well as the mixed version of the game for the first time in the Pilbara.
