🏆 Sport

Sports reports: Malakai Kartinyeri wins RMFL’s Mail Medal for 2024

Plus the latest in local rifle shooting, golf and soccer.

Contributed, Peri Strathearn

Sep 18, 2024 — 3 min read

Malakai Kartinyeri has emerged as a gun footballer in his own right, being named the RMFL's best and fairest player before turning 21. Photo: Rambler Roosters Football and Netball Club/Facebook.

This story includes contributions from Daniel Irvine and Michael Potts. Email your sports reports to liana@murraybridge.news.

The son of a River Murray Football League legend has stepped out from his dad’s shadow after winning the league’s highest individual honour on Monday night.

Ramblers’ Malakai Kartinyeri was awarded the Mail Medal as the league’s best and fairest player, and its rising star award, during a stylish ceremony at the Bridges Event Centre.

He took the lead halfway through the vote count and finished with 22 votes, ahead of Coorong’s James Hargreaves on 18.

“I try to go out there every week and not play the best footy, just play consistently,” Kartinyeri said as he accepted the award.

“I don’t care if I play a very good game, as long as I’m playing the same game every week.”

Kartinyeri is the son of Mervyn “Muffy” Kartinyeri, a three-time medallist who won while playing for Tailem Bend in 1997, 2004 and 2005.

The younger Kartinyeri played most of his junior footy at Ramblers, with the exception of a season at Langhorne Creek.

Other award winners on the night included:

Player of the year: Will Crane (Imperials)
Rising star: Malakai Kartinyeri (Ramblers)
Best backman: Tom Mickan (Tailem Bend)
Best ruckman: Nick Westhoff (Tailem Bend)
Mark of the year: Josh Hickmott (Jervois)
Goal of the year: Pat Davies (Mypolonga)
Reserves Lokan Medal: Josh Hein (Mypolonga)
Under-18 Connolly Medal: Curtis Drummond (Southern Mallee)
Under-15.5 Bryan Medal: Tyler White (Tailem Bend)
Under-13 O’Neil Family Medal: Seth Rankine (Imperials)
Leading goal kickers: Josh Scott (Jervois), James Lawson (Coorong reserves), Logan Cooper (Mypolonga under-18s), Kody Hameister (Jervois under-15.5s), Thomas Crane (Southern Mallee under-13s)
Lyall Parker Shield: Imperial Football Club

Meanwhile, Mypolonga will face the undefeated Coorong Cats in Saturday’s A grade grand final after triumphing against Imperials over the weekend.

Mypolonga 12.7 (79) defeated Imperials 11.8 (74)

Mypolonga best: Samuel Martin, Reid Kuller, Jordan Hein, Jack Kluske, Corey Jones
Imperials best: Louis De Michele, Luke Harrowfield, Jack Penfold, Dustin Inglis, Gareth Williams, William Crane

Gordon Harrison and Ian Elston celebrate their championship wins. Photo: Daniel Irvine.

Harrison, Elston and Paech win rifle club championships

Murray Bridge Rifle Club members have gathered at the Great Eastern Hotel at Littlehampton to celebrate the last championship year and present the winners with their awards.

Chief amongst the celebrations were the club champions for 2023-24, Gordon Harrison (F-standard), Ian Elston (F-open) and Robert Paech (target rifle).

Elston also won the F-class yearly handicap award, while Greg Traeger won the target rifle by the narrow margin of two points.

Read more:www.facebook.com/mbrifleclub.

Mark Bolton has set tongues wagging at Murray Bridge Golf Club with a corker of a back nine. Photo: Michael Potts.

Adrian sends the field packing at Murray Bridge Golf Club

Solid B-grader Adrian Pack has had his day in the limelight at Murray Bridge Golf Club, triumphing in a Stableford competition with a brilliant 42 points.

He needed to be extra good, too, as there were plenty of competitors on his hammer on a very high-scoring day despite the breezy conditions.

Packy, a modest guy at the best of times, was rightly chuffed with his round and was a popular winner.

Mark Bolton won the A grade with 41 points but his back nine was what created talk around the club – only taking 29 strokes for a five-under-par nine off a simply unbelievable 26 points was off-the-planet good golf for the five-handicapper.

Four birdies and an eagle were littered throughout these nine holes in a stunning display of ball striking.

Oh, and yes, he won the pro comp in a canter for the best back nine.

Club handyman Rob Walters fired out 40 points to win the B grade while Echunga raider Adrian Curtis went one better with 41 to take the C grade.

However, the atmosphere around the club has been subdued since the recent and sudden passing of popular long-time member Bryan “Squashy” Squires.

A volunteer and regular player twice a week for many years, his infectious laugh will no longer echo around the Sprig Bar after tall tales are told.

Best known for his dislike of chipping unless absolutely necessary, Squashy’s favourite club was the putter and he would often reach for it even when a long way off the green.

He was a true character indeed and one who will truly be missed – vale Squashy.