Stars were out in force at the GWABA Bunbury Football Carnival, with multiple AFL premiership players taking part in the annual battle for the Syd Jackson Cup.
A grandstand finish saw Thunder hold their nerve to defeat Koolbardis 5.2 (32) to 3.6 (24) in the grand final with 17-year-old Lebron Yarran being named best on ground after booting four goals in the victory.
The cup, named in honour of former Carlton and South Bunbury star, 2018 flag heroes for West Coast Liam Ryan and Willie Rioli join forces with Melbourne’s Kysaiah Pickett for Kaala.
But it wasn’t enough to make the big dance, as the stacked reigning champions Koolbardis took Kaala down in the qualifying final.
Geelong’s Lawson Humphries led the way for Koolbardis, with St Kilda’s Lance Collard and former North Melbourne Kangaroo Taryn Thomas as the Magpies chased back-to-back titles.
They faced off in the grand final against recently delisted Eagle and former Hawthorn player Tyler Brockman.
Richmond’s two-time premiership player Marlion Pickett was a key member of Moorditj Karaak playing alongside his son.
Another duo of former Eagles in Isiah Winder and Brendon Ah Chee featured for Bloodline while Western Bulldogs’ Arty Jones played for the Bulldogs.
The two stacked lineups of Koolbardis and Kaala faced off in the first qualifying final, with the contest a spectacle.
Pickett showed no ill effects from an early flight to WA after finishing second in Melbourne’s best and fairest last night in Victoria with an early goal for Kaala.
St Kilda’s Ryan took a trademark massive hanger in the back pocket to get the crowd on their feet, but turned the ball over instantly which led to a Koolbardis goal.
Playing his usual role off halfback Humphries was the main man for Koolbardis, finding targets with ease along with a late goal to help secure the grand final berth for his side.
Both Koolbardis and Thunder came into the grand final without a loss with neither side giving an inch early in the contest.
Thunder took the early lead thanks to three first half goals from Yarran including a quick double from a free kick straight after a goal.
Playing out of full forward Thomas brought the margin back to four just moments into the second half but a quick reply by the Thunder stretched the difference back out to 11.
Koolbardis fought back to come back within three-points late in the contest but a brilliant defensive effort on the goal line by Yarran again handed him another major and the best on ground award along with the Syd Jackson Cup.
The carnival is a major annual celebration of football, family and culture in the South West, with this year marking its 26th edition.
Built on strong family foundations, the carnival brings together Aboriginal communities from across the region and beyond, with 18 football teams competing across two divisions.
Teams travelled from throughout the South West, Albany and Perth, with some making the journey from as far as the Pilbara.
