Rd 11: 2026 Tri-State Cup 🏆
Canberra weather gods looked after us for our last competitive game before National Carnival and our annual pilgrimage to Manuka Oval.

This year saw a record number of players and a noticeable increase in competition as both the Murray Crays and Macarthur Wombats came to town determined to claim their maiden cup after the Cockies had won the first two years.

A minutes silence for past players and struggling teammates highlighted what Masters footy is all about. Coming together to play hard, competitive footy, but also to celebrate life and mateship and being there for each other.

The Wombats played some great footy, winning both their games and taking home a well deserved trophy. The Cockies got better as the day when on, with Chris Clapton and Matt Pooley taking home the Canberra Shutters best on ground awards. Goal of the Day went to Robbie Edwards who defied doctors orders to play one of his best games of the season.

Another great day topped off with an equally great evening, with all three teams celebrating at Olims Bar and Bistro afterwards.

As part of our new guernsey, ACT Cockies have chosen to acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the Canberra region by incorporating commissioned artwork by First Nations artist Eddie Longford.

This artwork captures Canberra as a sacred gathering site on Ngunnawal/Ngambri Country. Here, people shared ceremonies, law, stories, and trade, nourished by the land’s abundant water, food, and shelter. This artwork celebrates the ongoing tradition of connection, community, and cultural exchange that continues to bring people together today.

As a team focused on inclusion, participation and creating a space for everyone over 35 to stay connected to football and their community, we felt this aligned perfectly with the direction our new guernsey represents.

We will be debuting our new guernsey this weekend in Jervis Bay to coincide with the Bay & Basin Bombers Senior AFL Club Indigenous Round, 1:30pm at Vincentia Oval.

Round 9: ACT Cockies vs Macarthur Wombats 💙💛

A fantastic road trip to Harrington Park, great winter weather, and another reminder of why AFL Masters is the best version of the game. It was brilliant to see so many familiar faces before a tough, competitive contest played in true Masters spirit – hard at the footy, fair in the contest, and always with respect.

The Wombats made us work for every possession, but despite a growing injury list and plenty of sore bodies, the Cockies stayed in control for most of the day to record another hard-fought win.

Our midfield was outstanding, with several players putting their hands up for our Canberra Shutters Best on Ground. In the end, running ruckman Geoff Orton got the nod after giving our midfield first use all day and covering every corner of the ground.

The real highlight, though, was the team effort. Everyone played their role, stepped up when injuries struck, and dug in when it mattered most. That’s what Masters footy is all about.

A huge thanks to the MacArthur Wombats for their hospitality and another terrific contest. We headed home with the win, a few aches and pains, plenty of laughs, and another great memory on the road.

Next game is another away trip, this time to Jervis Bay to play Bay & Basin Bombers Masters on 8 August.

Our exciting year continues! Get along to training, get your game attendance on Heja, and if you haven’t tried Masters footy yet, it’s a great time to get on board.

Some great games of Cockies footy coming up!
Mark them in your calendar, book your leave passes, and get on PlayHQ and do your National Carnival registration 🥳

https://www.playhq.com/afl/register/78cb55

No game this weekend. Perfect time to do your carnival admin:
– Do your Carnival EOI if you haven’t already
https://forms.gle/zbbQJSgi12eHB9Uw6
– Pay for you uniform if you haven’t already
– Get on PlayHQ and do your carnival registration (pay-in-4 means you’ve got 8 weeks to pay)
https://www.playhq.com/afl/register/78cb55

❤️❤️❤️

Happy Mother’s Day to all the mothers, grandmothers, caregivers and other special people in our lives that we think of on this day.

The AFL community in Canberra is lucky to have so many mothers and mother-figures who play, volunteer and support our great game in so many ways. And we want more of you out there with us!

Registrations are open for our National Carnival team, and we especially want to see our incredible 45+ year-old women pull on the boots as we descend on sunny Newcastle in September 2026.

Represent Canberra with us. DM for details on what to expect at National Carnival, or follow the link in our bio to fill out our EOI form.

If you’d like to get a taste of AFL Masters football we’ll see you at training, Wednesday nights at 6pm, Reid Oval (opposite the War Memorial).

First round National Carnival Expression of Interest closes tomorrow, 3 May.

Get your EOI in to guarantee your place and get the full uniform discount.

https://forms.gle/N4iiTcdKZC4X82Kd8

Teams are filling nicely and we are on track to send our biggest ever travelling squad to represent the ACT at the AFL Masters National Carnival in Newcastle.

If you are unsure for any reason, please submit an EOI and message or email us so we know your situation.

Cracking night for training – and a feed and drink at our sponsor, Olims Bar and Bistro afterwards🍻 💪🏼💛💙
Round 3 this Sunday, 3 May, Reid Oval, 2pm
Everyone welcome – get along for a kick

Round 2 and National Carnival Open Day was a roaring success 👍🏼
Great numbers, good footy, lots of fun, warm coffees, cold beers, snags with onions, and plenty of laughs and tall tales.
BOG went to Woolfey and Moose 🍻

📸 Graeme (Bluey) Pocknee