THREE Northern Territory Football League (NTFL) Men’s Premier League sides remain undefeated after two rounds of action, while a further three are still on the hunt for their first set of premiership points in season 2020/21. Palmerston was the biggest winner out of Round 2, but it is Darwin who currently holds top spot after another spirited victory. All that, and more in our Premier League weekend wrap.

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PALMERSTON | 5.1 | 13.4 | 18.10 | 21.15 (141)
TIWI BOMBERS | 1.1 | 4.4 | 5.6 | 10.8 (68)

GOALS:

Palmerston: N. Lockyer Jnr 5, T. Kunoth 4, C. Williams 2, J. Berry 2, E. Guthrie 2, F. Wilson, M. Rankine, K. Groves, M. Dennis, M. Chester, J. Harvey
Tiwi: H. Puruntatameri 4, N. Ebinger 2, D. Munkara 2, N. Scagliarini, P. Kantilla

BEST:

Palmerston: M. Dennis, E. Guthrie, N. Lockyer Jnr, C. Williams, H. Brown, L. Flanagan
Tiwi: D. Munkara, M. De Wit, R. Puruntatameri, N. Scagliarini

Palmerston recorded its first win of the season on Saturday, consigning Tiwi to consecutive defeats with a 73-point thrashing at TIO Stadium. The Magpies’ formidable-looking mix of mainstays and new recruits clicked at the second time of asking, pouring on 13 goals to the Bombers’ four in the first half en route to a 21.15 (141) to 10.8 (68) scoreline.

Fresh off a four-goal haul in Round 1, Nigel Lockyer Jnr went one-better with five this time out to lead Palmerston’s attack. He was supported well by four majors from Toshie Kunoth, while former-Darwin midfielder Chris Williams was one of three Magpies to snare two goals. Eric Guthrie was one of them, named among his side’s best behind prolific ruckman Matthew Dennis, who also found the big sticks.

Harley Puruntatameri forged Tiwi’s main goalscoring response with a bag of four, while best afield Bomber Dion Munkara managed two. Boom recruit Nathan Scagliarini again proved a class above and booted an eye-catching goal on the run, while fellow Victorian Mason De Wit was also prominent in the loss. Currently sitting bottom of the ladder, there is still plenty of time for Tiwi to catch the leading pack.

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NIGHTCLIFF | 4.1 | 8.1 | 12.3 | 13.4 (82)
WARATAH | 0.5 | 4.9 | 7.11 | 9.15 (69)

GOALS:

Nightcliff: K. Emery 6, C. Ilett 2, J. Butcher 2, K. Niki, M. Bricknell, A. Jorgensen
Waratah: J. Sutton 3, J. McGrath 2, S. Godden, J. Carmichael, K. Kantilla, A. Ankers

BEST:

Nightcliff: K. Emery, N. Brown, T. Boyd, J. Peris, C. Ilett, M. McGregor
Waratah: A. Moloney, C. Searle, J. Sutton, A. Kirby, D. Collis

The art of conversion proved a deciding factor as Nightcliff maintained its undefeated premiership defence on Saturday, defeating Waratah 13.4 (82) to 9.15 (69). In front of a home crowd at Nightcliff Oval, the Tigers started brightly with four goals to the Warriors’ one opening term, maintaining a lead throughout to come home 13-point winners despite managing seven less scoring shots than their opponents.

Former Palmerston forward Kyle Emery showcased his dynamism inside attacking 50 with a game-high six goals, while Tigers veteran Cam Ilett and ex-Port Adelaide forward John Butcher each contributed two. Nathan Brown was again strong down back, as newcomer Tom Boyd further proved his worth with another solid outing.

Victorian Jake Sutton led Waratah’s scoring charge with three majors, while Jae McGrath (two) was the only other Warrior to bag multiple goals. Prominent Port Melbourne defender Callum Searle continued his fine start to life in the NTFL, but it was Alexander Moloney who claimed best afield honours for his side. Tahs still sit within the finals places at 1-1 after a solid showing against the competition’s benchmark, while the Tigers sit second via percentage at 2-0.

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DARWIN BUFFALOES | 2.4 | 4.6 | 9.9 | 12.11 (83)
SOUTHERN DISTRICTS | 3.1 | 6.4 | 7.6 | 8.8 (56)

GOALS:

Darwin: B. Foster 5, I. Palmer 3, M. Campbell 2, J. Clarke, J. Stokes
Southern Districts: B. Rolfe 3, W. Farrer 2, M. Bowden, L. Kiel, D. Staunton

BEST:

Darwin: J. Clarke, B. Foster, J. Collinson, M. Campbell, I. Palmer
Southern Districts: L. Kiel, J. Clark, J. Farrar, Z. Smith, K. Jones, C. McAdam

Darwin continues to exceed expectations, claiming a 2-0 start to season 2020/21 with a 12.11 (83) to 8.8 (56) victory over Southern Districts on Saturday evening. The Buffs overcame deficits at the opening two breaks to edge ahead in the third term, before extending their lead with a second-consecutive three-goal to one term to run out 27-point winners at TIO Stadium.

Goalkicking ace Brodie Foster was again right in the thick of the action with five goals, emphatically backing up his bag of six in Round 1. Young gun Ishmael Palmer was another to continue his scoring form with three majors, while classy veteran Matt Campbell added another two to his season tally. Jalen Clarke was among the best Buffs, with Joey Collinson another to perform strongly as new coach Cameron Stokes keeps his perfect record in tact.

In a losing effort, Luke Kiel was again terrific for the Crocs, while 2019 Geelong Falcons captain Jesse Clark proved his worth on debut. The likes of Jonathan Farrar and Zach Smith also stood up as Lionel Ogden celebrated his 150th game, and the goalkicking efforts were led once more by Billy Rolfe (three goals) and Will Farrer (two). After consecutive close losses, the Crocs boast the best percentage of the sides sitting 0-2, falling just outside the finals placings.

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ST MARY’S | 4.6 | 6.6 | 8.8 | 10.9 (69)
WANDERERS 1.1 | 4.4 | 7.8 | 14.11 (95)

GOALS:

St Mary’s: J. Calder 2, H. Williams 2, J. O’Brien, T. Long, J. Landt, J. Musgrove, T. Gilbert, D. Walters
Wanderers: B. Eddy 6, S. Mannagh 2, S. Bates, M. Mummery, A. Motlop, D. McFarlane, B. Hodgson, B. Culhane

BEST:

St Mary’s: R. Clarke, H. Williams, J. Long, L. Taylor, L. Jellyman-Turner, T. Saunders
Wanderers: B. Newman, B. Eddy, W. Williams, B. McLean, S. Mannagh

Wanderers continued its winning form to start the season, knocking off 2019/2020 Grand Finalist St Mary’s in the round’s final fixture on Saturday night. The Muk Muks were jumped at the off, and trailed at each of the first three breaks before flicking the switch with seven goals to the Saints’ two to run away 14.11 (95) to 10.9 (69) winners. The dominant final term showcased Wanderers’ scoring power, while also proving its finals credentials given the opposition.

Brett Eddy was among the goals in a big way with six majors, with VFL coup Shaun Mannagh (two) the only other Eagle to snag multiple goals. Brodie Newman was again outstanding in the winning effort, as the Calder Cannons product was named best afield in front of the aforementioned pair, Warwick Williams, and Braedon McLean. Crafty goalsneaks Brayden Culhane and Michael Mummery also found the big sticks.

Harry Williams was joined by Jackson Calder in contributing two goals to St Mary’s cause, with veteran Raphael Clarke named his side’s best afield. Lachlan Taylor and Lucas Jellyman-Turner were again terrific for the Saints, while Victorians Jack Landt, Dylan Landt, and Liam Fiore showed signs in their NTFL debuts. While the Eagles are soaring, St Mary’s already looks off the pace, with plenty of catching up to do.

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Featured Image: Wanderers’ Brodie Newman gets a kick away | Credit: Felicity Elliott/AFLNT Media