Sporting year in review: Second half of 2024 was jam-packed with action on the field

The second half of the 2024 sporting year was jam-packed with flags. From drought-breakers to teams walking away with the ultimate prize with undefeated streaks intact, the latter part of 2024 had it all.

1. DROUGHT-BREAKERS

Under new player-coach Jayden Schofield, Chapman Valley broke a club drought, winning their first Great Northern Football League premiership after 32 long years. The Royals defeated Brigades 9.11 (65) to 8.6 (54).

2. TOWNS’ MAIDEN FLAG

Towns romped home to win their first flag in club history in the women’s league, defeating Chapman Valley 8.4 (52) to 3.0 (18). Towns’ Gemma Dix was best on ground with five goals.

3. PRIME TRAIN CAMEO

Chapman Valley welcomed media sensation Tom “Prime Train” Baulch for the Fight MND Big Freeze game during the GNFL season, which drew a huge crowd to watch the game against Railways before Prime Train braved the cold and participated in the ice-cold plunge.

4. SIX ON THE TROT

For the sixth straight year, La Fiamma’s women’s team took top honours, winning the flag in season 2024. Sitting on a 75-game winning streak, the team cemented themselves as league champions.

5. CARDINALS HOT STREAK

In a massively impressive feat, Cardinals won their ninth straight premiership in the Geraldton Hockey Association, defeating Australs 5-0.

6. SAINTS ON TOP

Saints walked away with the 2024 Geraldton Hockey Association premiership, getting the chocolates over Rovers 2-1.

7. SO CLOSE FOR BUCCS

After a historic 20-2 record in the home-and-away season to secure top spot, the Geraldton Buccaneers fell short in the finals series in the NBL1 West, going down to Willetton Tigers by nine points in a home preliminary final, denying them the chance to go back-to-back.

8. KAZUALS IN CONTROL

After back-to-back losses in grand finals, Kazuals finally dethroned the Aztecs 50-41 in the 2024 netball decider. It was the first senior one title at the club in nine years.

9. CRIPPS ON FIRE

The Northampton star became the 17th VFL/AFL player to win multiple Brownlow medals when he was awarded his second Charlie in a record-breaking count with 45 votes.

10. DUCAS’ NBA DEBUT

Alex Ducas, a 23-year-old Geraldton local and former Buccaneer, was given his first minutes in Oklahoma City Thunder’s 102-87 win over the Denver Nuggets.

11. JY FLYING HIGH

The young gun claimed the senior sports star of the year gong at the Geraldton Guardian Mid West Sports Awards after a stellar season for WA and Australia in softball.

12. MILLIE’S MOMENT

After an incredible year, Millie Gerryen was rewarded for her outstanding performances in netball and basketball, being crowned junior sports star of the year.

13. LADIES DAY

Trainer Michael Grantham stole the show on Ladies Day at Geraldton Turf Club, taking the Ladies Day Sprint along with three other wins on the day, with jockey Joey Azzopardi. Azzopardi walked away with five wins for himself.

14. GRAVEL GLORY

The Mid West’s biggest cycling event, the Backroads Gravel Fields of Gold, returned to Chapman Valley, with more than 600 cyclists competing to win the endurance race.