Former North Melbourne player Matt Campbell has led Pioneer to an upset grand final win over Federal in the Central Australian Football League competition.

The Eagles led the contest all afternoon before eventually winning 13.7 (85) to 8.5 (53) at Traeger Park in Alice Springs on Saturday.

Campbell claimed the Everingham Medal after being judged best afield in the 32-point victory as the ex-Kangaroos small forward's poise and experience set him apart from the other 43 players on the field.

The 37-year-old has produced strong football in the Northern Territory since playing 82 games and kicking 79 goals for North Melbourne across a six-year AFL career.

He has credited positive changes to his lifestyle, including giving up alcohol and eating healthier, as one of the reasons why he has been able to maintain a high standard of performance.

Heading into the grand final, Federal entered as slight favourites off the back of finishing the season as minor premiers and demonstrating strong form leading into the contest.

However, Pioneer were full of momentum after qualifying for the premiership-decider with a thrilling come-from-behind one-point victory over South Alice Springs in the previous weekend's preliminary final.

Importantly, the Eagles had a sense of self-belief having already recorded two wins over Federal this season; a five-point win in Round 3 and a three-point triumph in Round 10.

On Saturday, it was the quicker and more skilled Pioneer who opened up a 19-point advantage at quarter time and maintained a solid lead for the entire afternoon.

Marcus McDonald and Shane Inkamala – who both sensationally transferred from Federal to Pioneer midway through the season – had a big impact on the contest, as did their Papunya teammate Waylon Manson.

Manson and McDonald finished with three goals each, while the youthful Inkamala was a strong target and brought plenty of energy.

Young gun Kaleel Ross provided a number of highlights while Shawn Foster created a lot of run and carry.

Jackson Cole was strong and ferocious with his attack on the football and was able to win the contested possessions for his team.

For Federal, Sam LaPorta was dangerous up forward and finished with four goals while Daniel Gorry was a strong presence all afternoon.

Kynan Barnes and Robbie Bartee worked themselves into the contest and tried hard all game.

Speaking to SEN Top End prior to the match, Campbell was confident about his team's chances.

"I don't think we need to do anything different, we just need to go out there and play our game style," Campbell said at the time.

"We have some forwards that give them some trouble and we think our midfield is just as good, if not better, than theirs."

In the women's game, Rovers completed an undefeated season with a thrilling extra-time victory over West.

It was a tight tussle all game with Rovers star Doreena Hansen delivering the match-winning goal in the dying stages of the match to secure her team's victory 8.3 (51) to 7.3 (45).

Earlier last week, South Alice Springs big man Daniel Stafford won the Minahan Medal as the CAFL's best-and-fairest player.

It is Stafford's second Minahan Medal after he tied with Rovers player Toshie Kunoth in 2018.

Campbell, who coached Stafford at Northern Territory Football League club Darwin Buffaloes, described the big man as a 'force to be reckoned with'.

"He takes pretty good marks out on the lead, or in a pack situation, he kicks (goals) from anywhere," he said.

"It's a credit to him, it's obviously well earned, he's had a great season."