Final should be a thriller Tikilaru Dockers hope to snare premiership glory in debut season

TODAY’S Tiwi Islands Football League grand final between the Tuyu Buffaloes and Tikilaru Dockers is too tight to call, according to AFL NT remote development officer Aaron Dunster.

Thousands of people are expected to flock to Bathurst Island this morning for a match between the competition’s two in-form sides.

“I’ve been speaking to a lot of people and it’s really hard to pick a winner,” Dunster said.

“On form, these are the two best teams and they’ve shown that, so it’s a very interesting grand final we’re heading into.”

Remarkably, this is Dockers’ first ever season.

After finishing third at the end of the home-and-away rounds, they upset defending the premier Muluwurri to advance to the decider.

Coached by the experienced Bernard Tipiloura, the Dockers will rely on key midfielder John Paul Munkara and Tiwi Bombers star Paddy Heenan.

This will be the third consecutive year Tipiloura has guided a club to the big dance.

He coached Muluwurri to a flag in 2015/16, before taking Tapalinga within 10 points of one last year.

Dunster said it would be a remarkable story if the Dockers were to claim victory.

“They have recruited their players from that area (south west Bathurst Island). It’s a family thing and it’s a strong football family,” he said.

“That’s probably why they’ve risen so well — there are really good footballers form that area.”

Meanwhile, for the Connell Tipiloura-coached Buffaloes, ruckman Chris Warlapinni is crucial to their chances, along with gun midfielder Jack Dulla.

Dunster said the Tiwi community was full of anticipation for its biggest event of the year after it was postponed last weekend because of Cyclone Marcus.

“They are really looking forward to it. I’ve got the premiership cup in front of me here and it’s such a good reward for the win,” he said.

“They take pride in it and the anticipation is high because they really want to get this game played.”