SATURDAY’S TIO Stadium triple-header produced three relatively one-sided results, leaving two sides without a win and seeing last year’s grand finalists bounce back to claim their first win of the year. The theme continued on Sunday too, with last year’s wooden spooners crashing back down to earth after a Round 1 victory.

WARATAH 19.10 (124)
TIWI BOMBERS 7.8 (50)

GOALS:

Waratah: L. Collihole 5, R. Jolliffe 3, S. Weddell 3, S. Godden 2, H. Kerinaiua, B. Minkulk, C. Barrett, Z. Westerberg, M. Blake, A. Aurrichio.
Tiwi: D. Munkara 3, N. Pangiraminni 2, H. Puruntatameri, R. Tungatalum.

BEST:

Waratah: L. Collihole, M. Blake, R. Jolliffe, H. Kerinaiua, S. Weddell
Tiwi: D. Munkara, A. Darcy, H. Puruntatameri, S. Babui, T. Tambling

The first of Saturday’s games saw Waratah improve to 1-1 with a strong 74-point win over the winless Tiwi Bombers. It was a consistent four-quarter effort from Waratah, with four goals to two in each of the first three terms giving them a comfortable 35 point lead going into the final break. They then poured on seven goals to one in a dominant final term to soar to a statement victory.

Lachlan Collihole was named best afield for his five-goal haul, while Raven Jolliffe and Samuel Weddell were also thereabouts with their bags of three. Waratah’s other multiple goalkicker was Sam Godden with two, while the likes of Matthew Blake and Henry Kerinaiua also put in good shifts and hit the scoreboard. For the Bombers, Dionysuis Munkara continued his good start in front of goal with three majors earning him Tiwi’s best-on honours. Norman Pangiraminni was the only other to claim multiple goals, with Harley Puruntatameri also finding his way into the best for the losing side.

The percentage boost sees Waratah sit just below the two undefeated teams in third, while the Bombers sit second-bottom as one of two winless sides.

SOUTHERN DISTRICTS 17.13 (115)
ST MARYS 6.10 (46)

GOALS:

Southern Districts: S. Thorne 4, L. Jetta 4, T. Brook 2, M. Mummery 2, D. Abbott, C. Gallio, I. Wyatt, B. Rusca, C. McAdam
St Marys: N. Paredes, J. Cullen, S. Richardson, C. Parris, M. Liddy, N. Yarran.

BEST:

Southern Districts: N/A
St Marys: N. Paredes, K. Delahunty, R. Clarke, B. Taylor, J. Quinn, N. Yarran

Southern Districts powered to a 69-point win over St Marys in the round’s second game to cement its spot in the competition’s top two. It was a slightly more comfortable win for the Crocs this time out after their down-to-the-wire Grand Final rematch win last week, with the Saints again struggling to find the goals despite holding a one-point lead at the half. Fifteen goals to three after the main break saw the reigning premiers run away with the result, kicking into gear quickly after a slight scare.

Former Essendon goal-sneak Leroy Jetta snared four goals alongside Shane Thorne, with impressive youngster Michael Mummery booting two of his own and Timothy Brook rounding out the multiple goalkickers with his two majors. The Saints had fewer forward contributors, but the likes of Nathaniel Parades and Nicholas Yarran troubled the scorers while also being named in the best. Kieran Delahunty was also impressive in a losing side along with ex-Saint Raphael Clarke.

The result sees either side make up the top and bottom two respectively, with Southern Districts one of two undefeated sides, while St Marys sit bottom as one of two winless teams.

WANDERERS 5.10 (40)
DARWIN BUFFALOES 14.8 (92)

GOALS: 

Wanderers: S. Motlop, K. Fejo, M. Motlop, J. Jeffrey, J. Salmon
Darwin: A. Sambono 3, J. Clark 3, S. Anderson 2, C. Williams 2, L. Thomas 2, J. Stokes, J. Clarke

BEST: N/A

2018 runners-up Darwin Buffaloes rounded out Saturday’s fixtures with a bounce-back win over Wanderers. It was a steady contest between last year’s second, and second-last teams as Wanderers utilised an end advantage to lead at quarter time. The Buffaloes hit back hard though, with four goals to one in the second term giving them the ascendancy, which they didn’t relinquish before storming home with seven fourth quarter goals to beef up the margin.

Darwin’s Adam Sambono found some of his better form to slot three goals, with his haul matched only by teammate Jackson Clark. Former AFL forward Lindsay Thomas also found the goals with two of his own alongside Steven Anderson and Chris Williams in the dangerous Buffaloes forward line. The Motlops, Shannon and Marlon were both typically busy in for Wanderers in their forward-line with a goal each, while youngster Joel Jeffrey also impressed.

The win sees both sides claim the bottom two finals spots, with Darwin’s far superior percentage of 143.8 granting them fourth place. It was always going to be a tough ask for Wanderers to back up their Round 1 win here, but they’re still placed nicely early in fifth.

NIGHTCLIFF 21.15 (141)
PALMERSTON 8.8 (56)

GOALS:

Nightcliff: T. Melville 5, M. Bricknell 3, C. Ilett 3, J. Tsitas 2, L. Holt-Fitz 2, W. Derksen 2, J. Peris, F. James, D. Reeve, J. Budarick.
Palmerston: J. Marshall 2, E. Frank 2, A. Davey, S. Autio, A. Lonergan, S. Talbot.

BEST:

Nightcliff: C. Ilett, S. Wilson, J. Budarick, J. Tsitas, J. Miles, P. Kossack
Palmerston: M. Dennis, C. Baird, S. Talbot, J. Marshall , N. Lockyer Jnr, L. Harrison

Nightcliff stormed to the top of the table with a thumping 85-point win over Palmerston in Sunday’s only fixture. The Tigers stormed out of the blocks, with five goals in each of the opening two terms giving them a 49-point lead heading into half time. While the Magpies somewhat stemmed the flow after the main break, it was more of the same to see out the game as Nightcliff piled on eight-straight majors in the last.

Trent Melville was the star with five goals for the Tigers despite Cameron Ilett being named best-on for his three-goal effort. Mathew Bricknell also booted three majors, while former Geelong Falcon James Tsitas and youngster Liam Holt-Fitz also claimed two each alongside Wade Derksen. Shaun Wilson and Jess Budarick were also among the best for the winners, overcoming the injection of AFL experience in the Palmerston line-up. Ezekiel Frank booted two goals and Alwyn Davey managed one, but it was Bundoora ruck stalwart Matthew Dennis who again claimed best-on honours for the Magpies.

The loss sees Palmerston sit just outside of the finals spots with their win on the board, while Nightcliff maintained their soaring percentage and first place in what was an impressive performance.