Round 10-2014/15 – A Big Week for our Family

There is a popular adage/superstition that “good things happen in 3s” and the Toll Tiwi Bombers Club had an example last week. Joint Captains Austin Wonaeamirri and Ross Tungatalum and their partners did their bit for the Club’s future with the birth of sons.

Welcome to the Toll Tiwi Bomber family Austin Wonaeamirri Jnr and Jerricho Matthias Tungatalum – bring on 2030 and watch #39 and #7!!

The Toll Tiwi Bomber Premier League team did its bit to complete the hat-trick by regaining the Maurice Rioli Cup first played for in 2009. The Cup acknowledges and honours the role the late Maurice Rioli played in resurrecting the Waratah Football Club when he returned to Darwin from Perth in the early 90’s. The1982 Norm Smith Medallist (with Richmond) then moved into politics holding the seat currently held by our passionate sponsor and supporter Francis Xavier Kurrupuwu MLA for Arafura. After retirement from politics Maurice Rioli played a major role in creating the Toll Tiwi Bombers Football Club in 2005 and was present when the Club entered the mainland NTFL competition in 2007. The Maurice Rioli Grandstand at TIO Stadium is an AFLNT recognition of his contribution to the code within the NT and Nationally.

With special guests from the Toll Tiwi Bomber Match Day Sponsor attending the game – Remote Home Ownership Scheme – Head Coach Willie Rioli challenged the Bombers to rebound from a poor finish in the previous round and demanded accountability. Despite 10 changes including a late injury withdrawal the Toll Tiwi Bombers bounced out of the gates (a racing term!) to lead comfortably before letting Waratahs recover late in the quarter in what has become a bad habit this season.

Led by late inclusion Roy Farmer who kicked 4 of his eventual 5 goals in the 2nd quarter the Toll Tiwis regained control and established a critical 18 point margin at the half time break.

To the opposition’s credit they never gave up as the Toll Tiwi Bombers slowly increased their lead to finish 28 point winners and remain in the finals hunt in what appears to be an even competition.

Scoreboard

Toll Tiwi Bombers 6-7, 12-7, 17-12, 21-16 (142)

Waratahs 5-4, 9-7, 13-10, 17-12 (114)

Goals: Roy Farmer 5, William Rioli Jnr, Owen Henry Jnr 3ea, Wesley Black, Nicholas Daniels-Heenan, Rupert Pupangamirri 2ea, Bradley Palipuaminni, John Meesen, Billy Barden, Kenny Puruntatameri

Coaches Best: Rupert Pupangamirri, Roy Farmer, Ryan Semmel, Kristan Height, Billy Barden, Dion Munkara, William Rioli Jnr, Austin Wonaeamirri, Jon Mullins, John Meesen

Injured Captain-Update

Co-Captain and 2012 Premiership Captain Shane Tipuamantimirri had a preliminary knee operation in Adelaide last week and has returned home. He will have a second operation in January. Really missing his on-field leadership and on-ground passion so hopefully all other players step up and share the workload previously done by “Tippa”.