ROUND 7 produced a series of smashings, with three of the four fixtures resulting in margins of over 44 points. In the round’s one outlier, this year’s clear best side was finally beaten in an impressive upset.

TIWI BOMBERS 20.15 (135)
DARWIN BUFFALOES 13.13 (91)

GOALS:
Tiwi: R. Tungatalum 5, K. Kantilla 5, P. Puautjimi 2, M. Cooper 2, D. Munkara 2, B. Palipuaminni, J. Monigatti, H. Puruntatameri, A. Wonaeamirri
Darwin: M. Campbell 3, J. Stokes 2, A. Sambono 2, R. O’Sullivan, M. Heenan, B. Stokes, B. Culhane, A. Punch, J. Clark

BEST:
Tiwi: D. Munkara, R. Tungatalum, H. Puruntatameri, J. Puruntatameri, C. Luff, S. Munkara
Darwin: R. O’Sullivan, J. Stokes, K. Maroney, A. Sambono, J. Anderson, A. James

Tiwi claimed its second-straight win with a resounding 44-point upset victory over premiership contenders Darwin to open the Round. After a seven goal to one opening term put Darwin in the clear ascendency, Tiwi produced a remarkable 15 goals to four in the second half to not only bridge the gap, but complete an 81-point turnaround from quarter time. Ross Tungatalum and Kim Kantilla both booted bags of five goals, with Dion Munkara named the Bombers’ best alongside the Puruntatameri’s – Jason and Harley. Buffaloes leader Matthew Campbell was among their best with three goals, with Adam Sambono and Joe Anderson also continuing their string of performances in the bests. Darwin now drop to fourth on percentage, sitting back in the pack a touch, while smoke has brought fire for Tiwi as they edge a game clear of last place as they doubled down on opening their account last round.

WANDERERS 5.6 (36)
NIGHTCLIFF 15.12 (102)

GOALS: 
Wanderers: N/A
Nightcliff: T. Melville 4, M. Bricknell 3, B. Grewar 2, J. Butcher 2, F. James 2, P. Wills, L. Holt-Fitz

BEST:
Wanderers: N/A
Nightcliff: P. Wills, S. Deery, G. Greenoff, D. Bowles, C. Ilett, B. Grewar

Nightcliff broke into clear-second place with a comfortable 11-goal win over cellar dwellars, Wanderers. Trent Melville continues to provide headaches for his opponents up forward, booting four goals while Mathew Bricknell snared three and ex-Port forward John Butcher was one of three players to boot two majors, rounding out the multiple goalkickers. Phillip Wills was named their best, with Simon Deery and Cam Ilett also amongst it. It was another disappointing day for the Eagles, beaten by a side out to prove their credentials and keep pace with Southern Districts. While Wanderers are now a game clear at the bottom, the Tigers will be looking to pounce on more slip-ups in their race for top spot.

PALMERSTON MAGPIES 5.9 (39)
ST MARYS 13.9 (87)

GOALS:
Palmerston: K. Emery 2, S. Brock, J. Thompson, A. Diamond
St Marys: K. Delahunty 4, M. Liddy 3, B. Rioli 2, N. Paredes, S. Edwards, A. Wilson, B. Taylor

BEST:
Palmerston: M. Rotumah-Onus, N. Lockyer Jnr, L. McDonald, M. Dennis, K. Emery, S. Talbot
St Marys: T. Saunders, B. Rioli, J. Long, K. Delahunty, B. Taylor, S. Edwards

St Marys has jumped into the finals places with a key win over now sixth-place Palmerston in Saturday’s final game. A seven goal to three opening half set the base for a lead that the Magpies hardly looked like bridging, as the Saints continually put on multiple goals across each quarter. Kieran Delahunty had a breakout four-goal game, snaring multiples alongside Mathias Liddy (three) and Brayden Rioli (two). Tylah Saunders and Ben Rioli were again judged St Marys’ best, while Mickitja Rotumah-Onus claimed the same honours for Palmerston. In a familiar story, Kyle Emery was their only multiple goalkicker with two, while Matthew Dennis was instrumental alongside Nigel Lockyer jnr. Having jumped the Magpies, the Saints are now only a win off third place, while Palmerston are in danger of again falling into the bottom two after the loss.

SOUTHERN DISTRICTS 9.15 (69)
WARATAH 14.7 (91)

GOALS: 
Southern Districts: S. Thorne 2, B. Vallance 2, D. Abbott, R. Tambling, C. Gallio, M. Pemberton, D. Staunton
Waratah: M. Newton 6, A. Ankers 3, J. Gardner 2, R. Jolliffe, S. Weddell, R. Bulluss

BEST:
Southern Districts: C. McAdam, S. Martin, S. Thorne, D. Staunton, D. McLachlan
Waratah: A. Ankers, M. Newton, N. Gooch, B. Zobel, A. Aurrichio

Waratah produced the upset of the year in the game of the round, handing Southern Districts its first loss in an efficient showing. While the reigning premiers were wasteful in the final term with 3.7, the Warriors were deserving winners after easily bridging a quarter-time deficit. Ex-Melbourne forward Michael Newton came in and booted six goals to steal the show, while his Warriors teammate Abraham Ankers bagged three to be name their best alongside Nicholas Gooch. Shane Thorne and Bradley Vallance were again instrumental for the Crocs despite the loss, each claiming two majors, but Charlie McAdam was named their best along with Dean Staunton and Sean Martin. The loss doesn’t make a dent in Southern’s lead at the top, despite Nighcliff breathing down their neck, while Waratah move to equal-third and remain a game safe in the finals spots.