Eastern Swans, Moranbah Bulldogs and Bakers Creek Tigers shared the premiership spoils at this year’s AFL Mackay Grand Finals at Etwell Park earlier this month.
All three clubs captured championship doubles in the junior and senior divisions to share bragging rights.
The Swans stamped themselves a powerhouse by lifting the Senior Men’s Allied Cup and Under 12 Isuzu UTE Trophy while the Tigers are celebrating Grand Final triumphs in the Men’s Reserve Grade and Senior Women's ranks.
Moranbah proved a force to be reckoned with in the junior categories by claiming both the Under 14 Isuzu UTE Shield and Under 17 Cup titles.
The all-conquering Swans maintained their undefeated record in the Under 12s age group after toppling Mackay Magpies 4.4 (28) to 1.3 (9).
Eastern led 14-1 after the opening quarter and 20-8 with top performances by Beau McPherson, Connor Stephens, Cade Mateo, Will Brond and Harry Brodie.
Peter Maczkowiack booted two goals for the Swans with skipper McPherson and Stephens also among the scorers.
Tom Raison, Fraser Hosking, Millie Argent, Eliana Ness and Will Flanagan tried hard for the Magpies.
The Swans capped a memorable 2024 season by also winning the Senior Mens Allied Cup with a thumping 8.5 (53) to 2.7 (19) victory over North Mackay Saints.
Having lost only one match during the regular season, the powerful Eastern line up dominated from the outset and led 13-3, 32-15 and 45-18 at each change.
The Swans were best served by skipper Sam McCann, Ashley Watson, Riley Bibby, Tyron Wood, Ryan Haynes, David Manning, Michael Maltby, Tyler Hird, Rocky Miller, Chris Endres, Darcy Mealy and Jordan Ewart.
Moranbah trounced Eastern Swans 8.5 (53) to 0.3 (3) to snare the Under 14 Isuzu UTE Shield.
The Bulldogs led 6-2 after the opening quarter and 15-3 at the half-time interval before adding fourteen points in the third stanza.
Beau Thompson, Tom Sutton, Henry Pilcher, Lachlan Sutton and Kian Parish turned in skilful performances for Moranbah while skipper Hugh Brond, deputy Bodhi McGill, Jack Sibley, Romeo Elworthy and Haydn Faulkner impressed for the Swans.
The Bulldogs produced a spirited display to claim the Under 17s Isuzu UTE Cup with a thrilling 10.4 (64) to 9.8 (62) victory over North Mackay Saints.
Trailing 40-33 at the halftime break, the Moranbah Colts rallied to post five goals and edge out the Saints in a cracking contest.
Emerging forward and skipper Riley King booted four goals for the Bulldogs with teammates Max Jameljanenko (2), Riley Hodgkinson, Jordan Ewart, Tom Jaques and
Andrew Dyer also grabbing six-pointers.
North Mackay got value from Zahn Bugeja (4 goals), Cohen Frith (3), Koben Kulpinski (2), Lincoln Fisher, Lachlan Morgan and Elias Goss.
Bakers Creek men's reserve grade side captured the Mackay Cup with a hard-fought 7.5 (47) to 3.5 (23) triumph over North Mackay Saints.
The Saints led 7-2 at quarter-time before the Tigers held a 15-10 advantage at the half-time interval and 23-16 lead going into the final stanza.
John Vagg (4), Lincoln Nicholas (2) and Jason O’Shannessy posted goals for the strong-finishing Tigers.
Bakers Creek senior women's team turned giant killers to lift the Triple M Cup in sensational fashion with a shock 20-16 victory over the previously undefeated North Mackay Saints.
Minor premiers North Mackay led 16-0 at the half-time break and 16-8 inside the final quarter before the courageous Tigers mounted a late revival to snatch victory.
Indiana Bough and Megan Elard booted crucial goals for Bakers Creek in the final term to help pull off a stunning upset.
The gifted Saints produced top-class performances to dominate the senior women's competition this season – only to stumble at the final hurdle.
It was the Saints first loss of the season and a heartbreaking way to let the trophy slip from their grasp.
All credit to the stout-hearted Tigers who roared home with strong games from the mercurial Bough, Tanacha Saunders, Brooke Rowlands, Britaney Adams, Ebony Rix and Rhiannon Heisrath.
Bakers Creek Tigers won the Triple M Cup 20-16 after North Mackay’s Saints had led 16-0 at half-time. Photo credit: Daniel McLean Photography
The Swans capped a memorable 2024 season by also winning the Senior Men’s Allied Cup with a thumping 8.5 (53) to 2.7 (19) victory over North Mackay Saints
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