THERE are three rounds remaining in the Northern Territory Football League (NTFL) Men’s Premier League, and with one team already eliminated, another is on the verge of befalling the same fate. The big clash is the fourth and fifth placed sides opening the round in a Super Saturday at TIO Stadium, which could have ripple effects for the games later in the day.

WARATAH vs. TIWI BOMBERS
Saturday, February 2, 2.30pm
TIO Stadium

In the clear standout match of the round, fourth placed Tiwi Bombers look to continue their hot form with a win against fifth placed Waratah in the first game of a Triple Header at TIO Stadium. The Bombers have stunned the top two sides back-to-back and have shot up from finals hopefuls to almost booking a spot in the top five. This fixure is a metaphorical “eight-point” game with just percentage – and 0.56 per cent at that – separating the sides. For the winner, fourth place is guaranteed, while for the loser, they will finish the round in fifth. For the Bombers, it is a chance to keep in touch with third placed Darwin and also gain some breathing space on Waratah, and given Tiwi’s form, it is hard to look past them. Waratah has slipped in the last eight weeks, having won just three games – all against the bottom two sides. They will be wary of Palmerston closing the gap on them as well and the Warriors will be keen to close that up. Since a shock loss to cellar dwellers, Wanderers, Tiwi has won four consecutive matches including a 102-point belting of the Eagles just two rounds after their loss.

WANDERERS vs. DARWIN BUFFALOES
Saturday, February 2, 5pm
TIO Stadium

In the second game of the round, bottom of the table Wanderers cannot make finals, but they can certainly spoil the party for other sides. They take on Darwin Buffaloes in the evening game at TIO Stadium, with the Buffaloes having everything to lose. A large enough win to Tiwi or Waratah in the opening game would add extra pressure to the third placed side, knowing that percentage would come into play. Win, and they ensure they keep breathing space on Tiwi and Waratah. Lose, and they could sink to fourth, so complacency cannot afford to drift into their minds, especially given they dropped a very winnable game against St Marys last weekend. Two of Wanderers’ four wins have come in the past five rounds, and will be looking to add another to the total by the end of the match.

NIGHTCLIFF vs. PALMERSTON MAGPIES
Saturday, February 2, 7.30pm
TIO Stadium

After earning a bit of breathing space in top spot the week prior, a loss to the red hot Tiwi Bombers put a slight chink in Nightcliff’s minor premiership armour, now sitting just four points clear of second placed Southern Districts. Palmerston Magpies have shown to be anything but easybeats, and expect them to take it up to Nightcliff, more than capable of a upset. Under lights at TIO Stadium seems the perfect location for an unlikely win, and toppling the Tigers will give the Magpies confidence heading into the remaining few rounds of the season. Palmerston has its own goals to achieve from the match, with victory keeping the Magpies in touch with the top five. Given fourth faces fifth, the Magpies know a victory against the Tigers will see just percentage separating them from a finals position. With two rounds remaining after this weekend, a win to Nightcliff and an upset loss for Southern Districts would all but guarantee the Tigers top spot.

SOUTHERN DISTRICTS vs. ST MARYS
Sunday, February 3, 4pm
Norbuilt Oval

In the final game of the round, second placed Southern Districts will hope to take care of business and keep Nightcliff on their toes heading into the final fortnight. They cannot take St Marys lightly, after the Saints knocked off Darwin last weekend, and whose finals hopes remain on life support. St Marys simply have to win their last three games and hope results go their way with both Waratah/Tiwi Bombers and Palmerston to sneak into the top five. Make no mistake, a loss here and it’s curtains on season 2019 for the NTFL’s most successful club. There’s the dangling carrot of finals for St Marys, but an equally tasty carrot of a week off for the Crocs if they can catch Nightcliff in the run home. No doubt both sides will have cast their eye upon the Round 18 clash, which could well determine the minor premiers. But given Nightcliff plays Wanderers next weekend, Southern Districts cannot lose this game, especially with a very competitive Waratah waiting for them in Round 17.