A HIGH-SCORING round of Northern Territory Football League (NTFL) Men’s Premier League action saw three one-sided results and a thrilling shootout between traditional rivals. Reigning premier Nightcliff is the sole remaining undefeated side, while Palmerston is the only team still without a win.

TIWI BOMBERS 10.3 | 12.4 | 15.5 | 20.7 (127)
ST MARY’S 1.3 | 10.4 | 15.7 | 17.11 (113)

GOALS:

Tiwi: R. Tungatalum 4, A. Wonaeamirri 4, R. Farmer 2, H. Puruntatameri 2, D. Munkara 2, J. Simon 2, G. Cunningham 2, J. Puruntatameri, P. Heenan.
St Mary’s: S. Rioli 3, A. Wilson 2, R. Clarke 2, L. Larson 2, J. Waite 2, N. Paredes, J. Salmon, J. Box, T. Gilbert, R. McMurray, B. Ah Mat.

BEST:

Tiwi: J. Puruntatameri, A. Tipungwuti, H. Puruntatameri, C. Molyneux, D. Munkara, C. Luff
St Mary’s: T. Davies, B. Slater, T. Gilbert, R. Clarke, H. Labastida, J. Long

Tiwi got on the board at the third time of asking in season 2019/20, putting on a clinical goalkicking display to outgun traditional rival St Mary’s. The Bombers held strong when it mattered in a game of heavy momentum swings, kicking out to the efficient 20.7 (127) to 17.11 (113) final score.

The winners stormed out of the blocks with an incredible 10 goals to one to start the game, a total they matched over the entire next three terms. But the Saints were not going to take it lying down after quarter time, bouncing back with nine goals in response to head into the main break an even two-goals down, eventually hitting the front in the third term. Just when St Mary’s looked set to complete a remarkable turnaround of over 50 points, the game delivered another twist as the Bombers soared once again to close out the entertaining bout on top.

Richmond AFL star and Saints junior Daniel Rioli watched on as his uncle Shannon booted three goals for St Mary’s, while younger brother Brayden suited up for his second game in Tiwi colours. The Tigers forward was impressed by Tiwi youngster Jeffrey Simon, who was one of five Bombers to boot two majors. Ross Tungatalum and Austin Wonaeamirri led the goalkicking stakes with four each though, while best-afield Jason Puruntatameri managed one and Adam Tipungwuti slotted the goal of the round. Former Blue and Roo Jarrad Waite‘s two debut goals proved far from enough for the Saints, with fellow ex-AFL player Raphael Clarke matching his feat in the losing effort. He was named among the best with Thomas Davies once again, along with Tom Gilbert in his first game for the year.

Both sides will go on to face Round 3 losers next time out, with St Mary’s playing host to Darwin while Tiwi matches up against Wanderers in games that could decide the early order of the ladder. Both St Mary’s and the Buffs suffered their first defeats this weekend, so will hope to return to the winners list.

—

SOUTHERN DISTRICTS 2.6 | 7.9 | 16.13 | 21.18 (144)
PALMERSTON MAGPIES 1.2 | 1.5 | 3.7 | 7.9 (51)

GOALS:

Southern Districts: J. Clarke 6, S. Barnett 6, E. Barlow 3, D. Corbett 2, J. Farrer 2, N. Rokahr, D. Williams.
Palmerston: B. Church 2, S. Brock, D. Marshall, A. Davey, K. Sevallos-Seden.

BEST:

Southern Districts: S. Barnett, J. Farrer, B. Rusca, E. Barlow, N. Rokahr, J. Clarke
Palmerston: D. Gordon, J. Berry, D. Cox, R. Stone, B. Launer, C. Timms

Southern Districts broke through for its first win of the season in style, trumping Palmerston to the tune of 93 points to secure a momentary spot in the top four. The Crocs looked to be back to their free-flowing best in the 21.8 (144) to 7.9 (51) result, posing too many threats for the hapless Magpies.

After a steady opener which saw just three goals kicked, it was all Southern Districts as the Crocs piled on at least five goals in each of the remaining three quarters – including nine in the third. With stars all over the park for the winners and a lack of the same firepower hindering Palmerston, a breaking of the dam wall seemed inevitable and the margin could have been far worse had the Crocs kicked straight with their 39 scoring shots.

South Australian state-leaguer Sam Barnett was named best afield on the back of his six-goal haul, a feat matched by Jayden Clarke inside the same 50 arc. Ex-AFL midfielder Ed Barlow showed his class with three majors from further afield, while consistent goalkicker Josiah Farrer booted two and Brandon Rusca earned the Round 3 Rising Star nomination. On the losing end, Dylan Gordon and Blake Launer were again named among the Magpies’ best, with Broderick Church their sole multiple goalkicker (two) as spearhead Alwyn Davey managed one major.

Palmerston’s search for its first win continues at PSC BM Oval on Sunday against undefeated reigning premier Nightcliff – a tough assignment for any side, let alone the one in eighth place. Meanwhile, Southern Districts will look to solidify a top five spot when it does battle with fellow Round 3 winner Waratah next time out.

—

DARWIN BUFFALOES 1.2 | 1.5 | 2.6 | 3.9 (27)
WARATAH 3.2 | 5.4 | 10.10 | 12.12 (84)

GOALS:

Darwin: C. Stokes, T. Eldridge, D. Shillabeer.
Waratah: J. McGrath 3, A. Ankers 2, M. Graham 2, A. Moore 2, K. Kantilla, B. Carroll, H. Kerinaiua.

BEST:

Darwin: C. Williams, B. Stokes, T. Eldridge, C. Stokes, J. Saveka
Waratah: N/A

Shades of last season’s late form came to the fore as Waratah broke through for an emphatic first win against the highly-fancied Darwin Buffaloes. The Warriors quelled the Buffs’ scoring threats on-route to a 57-point victory, with the two sides looking near-unrecognisable compared to their previous form in the 12.12 (84) to 3.9 (27) result.

It was a case of the Warriors leading at every stage, not looking back after gaining an early advantage against the wind. While they squandered a few chances in a seven-goal to two second half, the scoreboard pressure and even spread of hardened contributors proved too much as they clamped down on the Buffs to come out handy winners in the end.

Abe Ankers was the main man in the first half, winning a ton of the ball early while helping to break the game open with two goals in the second term. Ex-AFL forward Andrew Moore was also impactful through the middle and up forward with two majors of his own, while Jae McGrath led the way with three and Kim Kantilla looked lively with one. Two of Darwin’s three goalkickers also featured in the best handful of players for their side, with Cameron Stokes and Tim Eldridge featuring well alongside Christopher Williams and Bradley Stokes in the uncharacteristically low-scoring loss. To make matters worse for the Buffs, experienced hand Joe Anderson faces time off after being reported for striking, with Adam Sambono still absent.

That will make their next assignment against fellow 2-1 side St Mary’s tough, with both teams looking to rekindle the form they produced over Rounds 1 and 2. Waratah’s assignment is just as tricky, with the reinvigorated Southern Districts up next after its own breakthrough victory.

—

WANDERERS 3.4 | 4.5 | 5.6 | 8.7 (55)
NIGHTCLIFF 5.3 | 8.7 | 14.11 | 17.17 (119)

GOALS:

Wanderers: D. Ferreira 4, J. Jeffrey, K. Fejo, J. Sattler, M. Motlop
Nightcliff: B. Filo 4, B. Grewar 2, L. Evans 2, J. Tsitas 2, M. Hagan 2, K. Niki, L. Holt-Fitz, T. Melville, P. Wills, M. Bricknell

BEST:

Wanderers: N/A
Nightcliff: D. Bowles, B. Filo, M. Hagan, K. Riley, M. McGregor

Nightcliff secured its status as the sole remaining undefeated NTFL side with a dominant 64-point victory over Wanderers to see out the round. The Eagles could not quite hang with the reigning premier for long enough as the Tigers mixed astute defence with flooding attacks in the 17.17 (119) to 8.7 (55) result.

While Davin Ferreira booted and equal game-high four goals for the Muk Muks, they lacked the same contributors across the board with only half the amount of Nightcliff’s ten individual goal kickers. The likes of Joel Jeffrey and Keelan Fejo again showed their class to hit the scoreboard, but were outdone by the likes of Brodie Filo (four goals) and Michael Hagan (two) up the other end. Daniel Bowles was named the Tigers’ best, leading a pack consisting of Filo, Hagan, Kaine Riley, Marly McGregor, and Geelong VFL product James Tsitas.

It was the Tigers’ superior depth that saw them shake off the Eagles after a start which gave the losers a sniff. But Nightcliff’s six-goal to one third term saw the result all but settled as the persistent four-goal margin was shattered. A strong, albeit inaccurate finish confirmed the result and brought a halt to Wanderers’ early-season momentum.

An exciting match-up awaits as the Eagles ready themselves for Tiwi on Saturday, with the two sides set to put forth strong attacking lineups. Nightcliff’s perfect record looks likely to remain in-tact too with bottom-placed Palmerston awaiting in a battle between 3-0 and 0-3 teams.