Looma Eagles hand Cable Beach first defeat of 2024 season

The reigning West Kimberley Football League champions Cable Beach Greenbacks lost their first match of the season against Looma Eagles at the weekend, at the Broome Recreation and Aquatic Centre Oval. It is the Greenbacks’ first loss since the opening round of finals at the hands of Broome Towns last year. The Eagles launched to the lead in the first term after Gilbert Barli kicked the first of the day. Goals from Cable Beach’s Daniel Cox and Wesleigh Hatch kept the Greenbacks in the game but the Eagles continued to break through Cable Beach’s defence to hold the lead, 4.3 (27) to 2.1 (13). The Greenbacks fired back after the break with two successive goals in just over a minute from Jason Angus and Rhys Hajinoor to bring the side within two points. But two goals from Tyrese Skeen re-established Looma’s lead while two further attempts from Hajinoor and Jay Hill resulted in behinds for Cable Beach. The third term belonged to Cable Beach with three goals from Harry Harman, Riley Oldfield and Sonny Dann bringing the side into an uneasy lead, while all of Looma’s attempts failed. All bets were off in the fourth as the two sides traded score for score. It was not until a late term goal from Ty Murray broke the stalemate and put Looma back in the lead. Both Looma and Cable Beach made a failed attempt at goal in the 16th minute. But Tyriek Buck sealed the deal for the Eagles with a goal with just over three minutes on the clock to give his side a nine-point lead. Cable Beach’s Jason Angus and Looma’s Murray and Skeen were the top goal scorers of the match with two goals each. The Greenbacks have been knocked from their perch at the top of the ladder, with Broome Towns now holding the crown after defeating the Broome Saints in a one-sided match on Saturday afternoon. Towns controlled the ground from the get-go, but their accuracy left much to be desired as only three out of eight attempts hit their mark. The Saints failed to kick a goal until late into the third term, with Johann Jack claiming the first of the day for the Saints. Tristan Pigram opened the final term with another goal for the Saints but that was it for the side as Towns continued to add to their lead until the final siren, running out 11.13 (79) to 2.2 (14) winners. Broome Town’s Sean Gregory, Brayden Tolentino and David Winter tied for top goal kicker of the match with two goals each.