HAWKESBURY INDEPENDENT IND 191 APRIL 2026 | Seite 33

Oakville Raiders take the cake in the big dance

with Matt“ Duck Man” Austin
What a season it’ s been for the Oakville Raiders- and what a way to celebrate their 40th anniversary.
From milestone celebrations to grand final appearances and premiership glory, 2025 / 26 will go down as one of the club’ s most memorable years. The season brought together past and present, with plenty of reminiscing, old photos dusted off, friendships rekindled and stories of Raiders history proudly shared. On the field, the current crop carried the purple flag with pride, delivering a season full of success.
Oakville Raiders Senior Black Grand Final winners 2026. Credit Oakville Raiders.
The club’ s senior teams led the charge, with both Senior Purple and Senior Black reaching their respective grand finals.
In one of the most dramatic finals campaigns in recent memory, Senior Purple claimed the premiership in heart-stopping fashion- winning all three finals by just a single run. A 7 – 6 semi-final victory was followed by a 5 – 4 qualifying final, before an incredible grand final comeback sealed a 9 – 8 win after trailing 8 – 2 late in the game.
“ It gave everyone heart failure, but they got the job done,” said Alita Stephens, as jubilant scenes unfolded at Castle Glen Reserve.
Senior Black took a more composed path to their title, defeating St Marys 9 – 3 at Knights Field after the match was delayed due to wet weather. Their performance reflected years of playing together, with many coming through the junior ranks before stepping up as a cohesive senior unit.
Oakville Raiders Senior Purple Champions 2026. Credit Oakville Raiders.
The success highlights everything the Raiders stand for- developing local talent and building a strong, family-focused club culture.
The future also looks bright, with both Under 14s Purple and Under 14s Black making strong finals runs. Under 14s Black narrowly missed out in an 8 – 7 thriller against Baulkham Hills, while Under 14s Purple reached the grand final before going down 8 – 4 to Winston Hills after a strong finals campaign.
Both teams showcased determination, skill and the true Raiders spirit, proving the next generation is ready to rise.
With depth across all grades and a pipeline of emerging talent, the Oakville Raiders can reflect proudly on a standout anniversary season- and look ahead with confidence to an even stronger future.

Penrith Giants AFL kicking goals in the local area in 2026

with Matt“ Duck Man” Austin
At Penrith Giants, AFL is more than just a game it’ s a community. Based at the picturesque Greygums Oval in Cranebrook, the club offers a welcoming and inclusive environment for players of all ages and abilities, all united by a shared love of Australian Rules Football. The Giants pride themselves on being more than a sporting club. Their core values centre around inclusivity, teamwork and community creating opportunities for everyone, building lifelong friendships, and supporting the wider Penrith region through events and local initiatives.
I saw this firsthand when I attended a recent GWS Giants“ come and try” clinic at Greygums Oval right in the heart of Cranebrook and traditional rugby league territory.
Club President Michael Craigie shared that the Giants are expecting around 200 junior players in their academy this season, fielding approximately eight teams, including Auskick. Importantly, the club focuses on participation and development, particularly in the younger age groups, ensuring every child gets a fair go.
Michael’ s own football journey began at the Quakers Hill Bombers at age eight, later playing across the Hawkesbury. He
spoke highly of local coach Peter“ PK” Kyle, describing him as a passionate leader and great clubman. Today, the Giants provide a clear pathway for juniors, feeding into the Penrith Rams senior club, with junior competitions played on Sundays.
A highlight for young players at the clinic was meeting GWS Giants draft pick Finn Davis, who helped run the session. Drafted at pick 51, Finn spoke about modelling his game on Western Bulldogs star Bailey Dale and learning from experienced teammates including Harry Himmelberg and Connor Idun. He also keeps a close eye on key defenders like Sam Collins and Callum Wilkie.
Finn is embracing life in Western Sydney, enjoying the lifestyle while adjusting to the heat and traffic compared to Melbourne. Currently recovering from a minor injury, he is focused on taking his opportunities and continuing to develop as a professional athlete.
Looking ahead, Michael hopes the club can produce future AFL and AFLW talent, following in the footsteps of former Penrith local Nic Naitanui, who went on to enjoy an outstanding career with the West Coast Eagles.
With strong junior numbers, successful clinics and a growing presence in Western Sydney, Penrith Giants are continuing to expand the game’ s footprint in the region.
There’ s still time to get involved in 2026- if you’ re keen to give AFL a try, reach out to the Penrith Giants via social
Penrith Giants Kids in action at the AFL clinic.
media and join the community.
Finn Davis GWS Giants new recruit ready for action.
THE HAWKESBURY INDEPENDENT theindependentmagazine. com. au ISSUE 191 // APRIL 2026 33