Sport
20 June, 2025
Local AFL heating up as finals approach
Ungarie outlasts Tulli as WW-G fall to Hillston
THE MEN’S Seniors finals race is heating up after a weekend of mixed results.
West Wyalong-Girral had the unenviable task of taking on competition frontrunners, Hillston, in a Ladie’s Day game that was a must-win for the Bulldogs to distance themselves from Tulli and Ungarie who were also facing off trying to secure third spot on the ladder.
Sadly, the Swans didn’t get the memo, as Hillston ran out 16.18.114 to 10.7.67 winners - further establishing their credentials as the team to beat in 2025.
Despite strong efforts from Brent Heydon, Caleb Downey and Ben Cattle as well as trade mark aggression from Jack Parkes, it wasn’t enough for the Doggies to flip the script and cause an upset.
The Bulldogs will now play second placed Lake Cargelligo away this weekend in a vital clash that could see them slip out of the top four should they lose and Tulli beat Hillston. Ungarie will have the bye before playing Lake the following weekend in Lake.
In the other match, Ungarie returned to the winner’s circle after a big loss to Hillston by 155 points the weekend before.
The Magpies dominated from the outset and despite a brace each from Tulli’s Nickm Prince and Jack Payne, the Grasshoppers couldn’t reel in Ungarie, eventually going down 12.17.89 to 5.8.38 in a dour affair renowned more it’s physicality than athleticism.
After Round 8 of the Northern Riverina Football League, Hillston and Lake lead on 24 points with both teams only suffering one loss so far this season.
On equal third but separated only by percentages, Tulli sits on 8 points level with West Wyalong-Girral and Ungarie. While Tulli has a healthy 98.54% percentage, the Bulldogs and Magpies sit on a miserly 64.01 and 61.71 percentage and a two win and five loss record. Both teams will need some big wins and want to avoid some heavy losses if they are to lock up one of the remaining finals spots this campaign.
With only six weeks until the finals, the pressure is certainly on if any of the bottom three teams have designs on end of year football.
Read More: Ungarie
