It proved a memorable opening Australian Darts Association weekend of Events, T1-T4 taking place at the Silver Sands Tavern, Mandurah WA, for the ADA 2026 Tour that now heads to the Labour Club, Belconnen ACT 2617 on the 13th-15th March. A further 4 tournaments, T5 to T8, taking place in the nation’s capital amid great expectation.
Both Brody Klinge and Raymond Smith led the way across the Nullarbor with mirrored finishing figures, 2x wins, 1x S/F and 1x 16th placing, to share the inaugural Kyle Anderson Trophy with 3,800 points apiece, encapsulating a weekend of high consistency from the pair. Heav scoring, clutch finishing, plus the small matter of a 9-dart leg from Smith brought to you ‘live’, part of the record-breaking averages spread over the weekend.
The much fancied WA pairing of Tim Pusey and Joe Comito, on home soil, were forced to settle for a spot in the Top Ten such was the quality of the field, a full 128 entrants registered for the Events in under 24 hours, and more than a few names taking part in their first ADA outings showing the strength of Darts in Australia. In addition, Darren Penhall, a former PDC Tour Card holder, returned to the ranks and travelled from Queensland to take part. Perhaps a little rusty, he still showed the game is there and will only improve over the coming weekends.
Another Queenslander to make the trip, James Bailey, upped his game and made the Final in Event 1 to be outshone by Klinge on the Friday evening. He was in every leg but clinical finishing proved enough to claim the spoils for the Victorian.
Michael Bajowski and Anthony Shreeve set out on a mission and impressed in their games throughout to sit handily placed in the rankings, the prizes on offer a glittering carrot of what may be.
Harley Kemp, unfortunate in a couple of matches, and Darcy Crane, impressive, take up the remaining spots.
The Rankings List
Raymond Smith – $3800.00 (*9-darter)
Brody Klinge – $3800.00
Michael Bajowski – $1300.00
Anthony Shreeve – $1050.00
James Bailey – $1050.00
Darren Penhall – $1000.00
Tim Pusey – $850.00
Joe Comito – $700.00
Harley Kemp – $650.00
Darcy Crane – $650.00
It’s early doors yet of course and the above is likely to change many, many times at the conclusion of each event but with Smith and Klinge in pole position and holding a commanding lead at this early stage, it’s for the remainder to turn up and knock them off the perch. Something far easier said than done. However, these two players have set the pace, paid the piper and called the tune and now we all have to wait to see who turns up at the dance.
And so to Canberra, what can we expect?
The averages, across the board in all four WA tournaments, were incredibly high, the number of 180’s hit ridiculous and 3 dart checkouts the norm rather than the exception. That trend is likely to continue into the ACT and the question on everyone’s lips: “Will we see another 9 darter?” Possible? Yes. Likely? With the quality and standard of those turning up to compete for a Premier League spot, the Ally Pally representative, Oceanic Masters, Q School, World Series of Darts in Australia and New Zealand, the only answer available
is…..wait and see. But you wouldn’t rule it out.
ADA Tournaments 5-8 take place at the Canberra Labour Club, Belconnen ACT 2617 from 13th – 15th March.
Come along and watch in person or via our TV and/or streaming platforms as all ADA Tournaments can be viewed via PDC TV and our streaming partners DSL (Dartstream Live) via Facebook and YouTube or followed on DartConnect.