Sport
7 August, 2026
Bombers and Mounties set to face off
For the second year in a row, we see a Bombers v Mounties grand final in the ADJFA. Last year, the Bombers were slight favourites but went down by about three goals after talented current Ararat Rats under-14 player Pat Harrington dominated play.
This year, the Bombers have won every game, the majority under the 10-goal margin mercy rule. This was the case again in the second semi-final when, after a fighting first half, the Mounties faded badly after half-time, especially in the last quarter.
A lot has been written about the Bombers’ on-ball brigade and goal kickers this year, but they have a strong backline as well. Oscar McDougall has had a great season across half-back, and key position backmen Drake Gray and Luke Fulton have restricted scoring every week.
Charlie Taro Parker, since joining halfway through the season, has settled in well in line with Harry Ward, Tucker Keilar and Hughie Cameron, who will be playing his 50th game on Sunday, all playing well.
For Mounties, Kye Rimmell and Flynn McMahon have been in excellent recent form and have been named in the key defensive roles. Frazer White, Levi Wilde, Kobe Fratin, and Alana Matulick are all playing well, but will have a big job to do on the Bombers' forwards.
The Mounties on-ballers did a great job in the first half against the Bombers and were in front at quarter-time in the second semi-final. The Bombers, however, are a great running, link-up and kicking-to-position team and ran over the top of them in the second half.
Heavy rain is expected on the weekend, which will suit Mounties’ hard-at-it centreman Hunter Newberry and under-the-packs player Rigby Holland, who played his 50th game last Sunday.
We hope to see a great game, but on form, one would expect the Bombers, with their height advantage and excellent ball movement, to have another win and remain undefeated for the year.
The game will be umpired by the experienced junior umpires Mick Jennings and Rhys Cronin.
The Executive hopes to see a massive crowd attend and cheer on the kids to end another highly successful season for our association.
To all the boys and Alana, enjoy the experience of playing in a grand final and, most importantly, have fun.
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