A TRIPLE header at TIO Stadium kicked off the weekend, with Tiwi Bombers showing no mercy against the cellar-dwelling Wanderers. Nightcliff took down a plucky St Marys side to claim top spot, as Darwin Buffaloes had a thrilling one-point win over top-of-the-table Southern Districts. In the final game, Palmerston Magpies kept their finals hopes alive with a win over Waratah.

WANDERERS 6.5 (41)
TIWI BOMBERS 22.11 (143)

GOALS:

Wanderers: J. Wilson 2, M. White 2, J. Adams, J. Cubillo.
Tiwi: R. Tungatalum 5, A. Wonaeamirri 4, A. Tipungwuti 2, J. Simon 2, S. Munkara 2, N. Djerrkura, M. Cooper, H. Puruntatameri, P. Heenan, J. Sagiba, C. Burgess, A. Tipungwuti.

BEST:

Wanderers: T. Motlop, S. Meyer, B. Motlop, J. Sattler, Q. Hartog
Tiwi: A. Hams, J. Puruntatameri, R. Tungatalum, A. Tipungwuti, A. Wonaeamirri, M. Dunn

Tiwi Bombers put the lowly Wanderers to the sword with an eye-catching 102-point victory. Twelve individual goal kickers helped the Bombers to the percentage-boosting win, which was all but decided by half-time as Tiwi piled on 10 goals to one by the main break. A more determined Wanderers side saw the losing team add three goals in the third term to the Bombers’ five, but the scoring power of the visiting side resulted in a seven goals to two final quarter to run away with the contest. Ross Tungatalum booted five goals and was named among the best for the Bombers, while 150th gamer, Austin Wonaeamirri managed four majors. Ashton Hams and Jason Puruntatameri were named as the Bombers’ best, while Thomas Motlop and Scott Meyer were the Eagles’ best. Josh Wilson and Mark White were the multiple goal kickers for the losers with two goals apiece.

ST MARYS 8.7 (55)
NIGHTCLIFF 12.3 (75)

GOALS:

St Marys: S. Edwards 3, B. Taylor, M. Jeffery, R. Clarke, B. Rioli, T. Davies.
Nightcliff: S. Deery 2, T. Melville 2, L. Holt-Fitz 2, P. Wills 2, C. Ilett 2, H. Drogemuller, M. Hagan.

BEST:

St Marys: N. Paredes, R. Clarke, J. Long, B. Rioli, T. Saunders, L. Ferreira
Nightcliff: P. Wills, H. Drogemuller, T. Kidney, K. Riley, S. Wilson, C. Ilett

A Shaun Edwards inspired second term was not enough to get the job done for St Marys who played catch-up after a dismal opener. The Saints trailed by 33 points at quarter time, before a three-goal bust by Edwards in the second stanza saw the home team remarkably hit the front as they held the Tigers scoreless in the second term. Unfortunately for the underdogs, it was not to last, with Nightcliff booting five of the last six goals of the game to record a 20-point victory and snatch top spot. The Tigers had five multiple goal kickers as they shared the goals around in the win. Phillip Willsbooted two majors and was named the Tigers’ top player, while Hugo Drogemuller (one) and Tyson Kidney were also among the best. For the Saints, Edwards’ three goals was the highlight up forward, while Nathaniel Paredes and Raphael Clarke continued their great form this season, named among St Mary’s best.

SOUTHERN DISTRICTS 15.9 (99)
DARWIN BUFFALOES 15.10 (100)

GOALS:

Southern Districts: J. Koopman 6, D. Staunton 3, D. McLachlan 2, R. Young 2, R. O’Brien, M. Mummery.
Darwin Buffaloes: A. Sambono 4, M. Campbell 4, D. Shillabeer 3, J. Stokes 2, M. Rosas, D. White.

BEST:

Southern Districts: R. Tambling, J. Koopman, B. Schwarze, D. McLachlan, L. Ogden, S. Martin
Darwin Buffaloes: S. Anderson, M. Rosas, K. Williams, M. Campbell, P. Boles, K. Maroney

The match of the round lived up to pre-game expectations, with third-placed Darwin Buffaloes taking home the four points after a thrilling one-point win over ladder leaders, Southern Districts. The Crocs led at the first change by four points, but it was the Buffaloes who piled on seven goals to four in the second term to head into half-time with an 18-point lead. Southern Districts threw themselves back into the contest after the main break with four goals to three to cut the deficit to just seven points, a margin that could have even been in their favour had it not been for six behinds. With the Nightcliff loss fresh in their minds from the previous week, Darwin held strong in the final term as the Crocs threw everything at the Buffaloes, but fell a point short as Darwin kept its slim top two hopes alive. Adam Sambono again had a day out up forward for the winners with four goals, while Matt Campbell (four) and Darren Shillabeer (three) were also productive. Steven Anderson was named the Buffaloes’ best, while teenage talent, Malcolm Rosas was also impressive, booting a goal and was electric across the ground. For the Crocs, you had to spare a thought for Jess Koopman who slotted six goals in a losing side, while former AFL player, Richard Tambling was the best on ground for the Crocs. Beau Schwarze and Dylan McLachlan were others who stood up in the defeat.

PALMERSTON MAGPIES 11.5 (71)
WARATAH 9.13 (67)

GOALS:

Palmerston: K. Emery 3, B. Church 2, A. Lonergan, M. Bunworth, M. Dennis, J. Wunungmurra, E. Frank, S. Talbot.
Waratah: S. Tatupu 2, S. Godden 2, J. Wray 2, H. Kerinaiua, B. Minkulk, A. Ankers.

BEST:

Palmerston: M. Dennis, N. Lockyer Jnr, M. Bunworth, E. Frank, L. McDonald, M. McMasters
Waratah: A. Ankers

In the standalone game away from TIO Stadium, Palmerston Magpies held onto fifth spot with a vital four-point victory over Waratah. The win meant the Magpies moved to within percentage of the fourth placed team, and also avoided Tiwi Bombers overtaking them given the Bombers had a huge triple-figure win earlier in the round. Waratah led by seven points at the first change but the Magpies booted four goals to two in the second term to head into half-time with a two-point advantage. They maintained their slim hold on the game with a four-point lead at the final break, with that margin being the final margin. The Magpies were the more accurate side with six less scoring shots, but four more points at the end of the game. Kyle Emery booted three goals for Palmerston as Broderick Church capped off some good work with two majors. Matthew Dennis, Nigel Lockyer Jnr and Mitch Bunworth were the Magpies’ best in the win, while Abraham Ankers was Waratah’s best in the loss. Shem Tatupu, Sam Godden and James Wray all booted two goals.