World Footy News

The Cardiff Panthers made history as they won the Welsh Australian Rules Football League for the 4th year in a row.

Having finished second the table at the end of the Home & Away season, the Panthers were forced to travel to the home of the Minor Premiership winners, the Bristol Dockers, for a repeat of last year's Grand Final. The Cardiff Panthers took on the Bristol Dockers at Dings RFC.

Thanks to Josh Davey from the WARFL for this report.

When the two teams met in last year's final, they were neck and going into the last 20 minutes and it looked as though it would be just a tough match this year as the Bristol Dockers struck first, scoring a quick fire behind, before stealing the ball in midfield and scoring the games first goal.

The Panthers however were not going to let the Dockers get a grip in the game and they then proceeded to kick 6 goals in the first quarter. The Dockers hit back with 2 quick goals as the quarter came to an end.

The second quarter was the turning point of the game. Panthers Full Forward Sam Owen caused mayhem in the Dockers defence and half forwards Scott Jones and Josh Davey capitalised on the loose balls as the Panthers centres sent the ball into the forward line at every opportunity. The Panthers kicked nine goals and limited the Dockers to only one behind as they looked to put the game out of reach early.

The second half was a much closer affair as both teams traded goals in the 3rd and 4th quarters, however, the Panthers second quarter goal-fest had put this competition to bed and as the whistle went the Panthers could finally celebrate a record fourth title in a row with a final score of Panthers 23.23.161 - Dockers 6.7.43

The win without a doubt confirms the Panthers as one of the best 9-a-side teams in the UK. Great Britain Bulldogs ruckman Chris James was named as Best On Ground whilst Josh Davey was top scorer with a 6.2.38 final total.

The WARFL season is now over for another year but many of the Panthers will now be on international duty for Wales and Scotland. The Home Nations tournament featuring the Cymru Red Dragons, England Dragonslayers and Scottish Clansmen takes place in Cardiff on September 8th. The tournament at the Welsh Institute of Sport, Pontcanna Fields takes places 2 weeks before all 3 nations travel to Edinburgh to take on 15 other European teams in the AFL Europe EuroCup, which last year saw Wales finish at Plate winners and 7th overall.