Islanders face off for league title

THE Ranku Eagles and Tapalinga Superstars take centre stage today to decide the 2018-19 Tiwi Island Football League premier.

In a match of contrasting fortunes, Ranku is shooting for its second Maurice Rioli Cup and first since 2001 when the grand final kicks off at 2.30pm on Bathurst Island’s Tiwi Oval.

The Superstars won their 11th flag in 2010 when they beat 17-time premier Imalu.

Ranku beat minor premier Pumaralli in the second semifinal to take the short route to the grand final, while the Superstars have won both of their finals, including last week’s preliminary final win over the Thunder and Lightning.

Ranku will go in as slight favourites after finishing the home-and-away season in second position.

Roy Kantilla in front of goals, former Tiwi Bombers cult hero Rupert Pupangamirri through the middle and Juan Orsto down back have been dominant for Ranku.

Tapalinga spearhead Gerrard Cunningham is a big threat to Ranku’s hopes of ending their 18-year premiership drought.

The Superstars will be hoping former Tiwi Bomber Cunningham, one of the favourites to for the Ted Whitten Medal as the best and fairest player in the competition, can add to the 11 goals he has kicked in both finals the club has played.

Another prestigious award up for grabs today is the Brother Pye Medal for the best player on the ground.

Brother John Pye is often referred to as the grandfather of Tiwi Islands football having introduced the game to residents of Bathurst and Melville islanders in the early 1940s.

Other presentations today include the David Kantilla leading goalkicker, Edmund Johnson best defender and Essendon Football Club’s Coach of the Year.

NT Ports and Marine will unveil another important award, the Club of the Year, based on all-round behaviour and sportsmanship.