WITH the NTFL Men’s Premier League season coming to a halt over the Christmas period Draft Central casts an eye over how the teams are tracking, some of their key contributors throughout the season so far and how they are shaping up for the rest of the season.

St Mary’s

Position: 2^nd
Win-loss-draw: 9-3-0
Percentage: 130.68%

There is not much separating St Mary’s and the top of the table Nightcliff with the two sides sitting on the same number of wins (nine) showcasing just how tight the battle for first place is. They have enjoyed a recent run of hot form sitting on a six game winning streak with their last loss coming against Darwin Buffaloes back in Round 6 highlighting their ability to effectively close out games. When the season resumes in January, the Saints are set to face Palmerston as they look to keep their winning ways intact.

Sitting in the top tier of the ladder it is no surprise that the Saints have a plethora of key contributors both on the scoreboard and around the ground in general. Leading the way in front of goal is Beau Tedcastle who in his 10 games this season has managed to slot 23 majors while Jackson Paine has also been a handy option with 21 goals in six games displaying his ability to kick a bag. Jackson Calder is another livewire up forward for St Mary’s amassing 15 goals for the season so far. Nate Paredes is a formidable force both in front of the big sticks with 12 majors and across the ground making it into the bests five times. In terms of consistent performers, Dylan Landt well and truly leads the way with seven bests while Jack Landt is not far off the pace with six.

Tiwi Bombers

Position: 8^th
Win-loss-draw: 0-12-0
Percentage: 58.66%

It has been an unsuccessful season for the Bombers with Tiwi yet to register a win and suffering some hefty losses throughout their campaign. They have gotten close to sides in patches but simply do not have the fire power to go toe-to-toe with them as shown by their nine point loss to Palmerston in Round 10 while also challenging Nightcliff in Round 9 but once again falling short. Their job does not get any easier after the break faced with Waratah in Round 13.

Leading the way with five goals to his name is Nathan Scagliarini while Harley Puruntatameri has also proven to be a handy source of goals in his nine appearances with four majors. Angus Byrne is known to hit the scoreboard every now and then, but has not played since mid-November while John Tipiloura is a consistent figure for the side featuring in all 12 games and recognised in the bests.

Wanderers

Position: 3^rd
Win-loss-draw: 8-3-1
Percentage: 116.09%

Sitting in third spot on the ladder the Wanderers are firming as strong contenders for finals with their ability to win ugly and close out games. They came close to toppling Nightcliff back in Round 10 registering a draw showcasing their capacity to mix it with the best and push sides to their limits. The last five games have been somewhat of a mixed bag of results recording two losses and two wins and will be hoping to recapture their winning ways in Round 13 with a victory against Southern Districts.

Brett Eddy is a dominant force inside 50 able to slot them with great ease and dictate the flow of the game given his innate goal sense. Eddy leads the pack for Wanderers with 49 goals to his name while the next best is Simon Bates with 26 from 12 appearances. The goalkicking tallies drop off after that with no other player reaching double digits showcasing the reliance the side has on their two-pronged attack. Brodie Newman has been a star all season and has been rewarded for his efforts named in the bests nine times, with Eddy hot on his heels with seven. Dane McFarlane is an excitement machine as is Braedon McLean with the two regular best on grounds.

Waratah

Position: 4^th
Win-loss-draw: 7-5-0
Percentage: 122.30%

Waratah are steadily building and hold good stead heading into the break, currently sitting fourth on the ladder thanks to their seven wins and five losses. They have had some strong performances downing bottom of the ladder teams convincingly and will be hoping to continue their way up the ladder. In their past five games Tahs have managed four wins and a loss with the defeat coming at the hands of St Mary’s. Waratah will be hoping for a percentage boosting win in Round 13 up against Tiwi Bombers.

There are a plenty of viable options inside 50 with Cameron Arnold leading the goalkicking tally for Waratah with 15. Jake Sutton can find the goals with relative ease thanks to his 14 goals while Jae McGrath and Callum Searle are the only other two players reaching double-figures for goals with 12 and 10 respectively. Abraham Ankers is a consistent figure for Waratah as is teammates Brodie Carroll and Robert Turnbull.