Mudcrabs Green savour carnival success

Local over-35 footballers had their time to shine at the inaugural North West Masters AFL Carnival in Karratha last Saturday.

About 45 players from Karratha Mudcrabs, Port Hedland Flatback Turtles and Broome Pearlers took to the Karratha Leisureplex Oval for the regional over-35s football event, organised by Mudcrabs.

There were plenty of close contests during the afternoon of nine-a-side, 20-minute matches, but it was one of the two Karratha sides, Mudcrabs Green, that took out the inaugural championship title after defeating Broome in the grand final, 5.2 (32) to 2.4 (16).

Port Hedland came in third place by beating Mudcrabs Brown 5.3 (33) to 2.4 (16) in the other final of the night.

Mudcrabs Green’s David Hinchcliffe was awarded player of the carnival.

Karratha Mudcrabs committee member and player Phil Arnott said the event had been modelled on Asia-Pacific tournament Bali Masters 9s, which the team attended earlier this year.

He said there were wide-ranging benefits for over-35 players.

“The standard of footy is interesting but that’s not entirely what it’s all about,” he said.

“It’s a massive contributor to men’s health, social life, fitness and getting a bit of adrenaline out in a fun, slightly competitive sports environment.”

Adding to the sports carnival atmosphere was a running commentary on all games, an electronic scoreboard, a full suite of competitor tents and two children’s exhibition matches held before the finals.

Arnott thanked the many local sponsors who had helped get the event off the ground and said the Mudcrabs planned to make it a regular fixture of their Masters competition.

Karratha Mudcrabs train on Tuesday nights all year at the Leisureplex, arriving at 6pm for a 6.30pm start.