ROUND 4 of the Northern Territory Football League (NTFL) saw the undefeated ladder leaders lose in the second grand final rematch of the year, whilst up the other end of the table, Southern Districts grabbed their first victory with a dominant win over the struggling Tiwi Bombers.

DARWIN BUFFAOES 2.1 | 5.4 | 6.4 | 7.7 (49)
WARATAH 2.3 | 3.3 | 5.9 | 9.12 (66)

A dominant four goals to one final term has resulted in Waratah picking up its third win in four games, defeating Darwin Buffaloes by 17 points. The Tahs’ had 30 less disposals, and dominated around the stoppages with a minus-41 in hitouts and minus-10 in clearances, but the Buffs were able to capitalise in the air, taking 10 more marks. They had the same amount of inside 50s (37), and Waratah had seven more scoring shots but kicked an inaccurate 9.12 (66) to 7.7 (49).

Brodie Carroll lead the way for Waratah with 20 disposals, 11 ground ball gets, four clearances, four inside 50s and a goal, with Joel Crocker and Joel Stevens combining for 10 clearances between them. Up front, Thomas Cree booted an inaccurate 2.4, whilst Jake Bowd had an equal game-high six rebound 50s from 15 disposals. Jarrod Stokes (16 disposals, four marks, three inside 50s, three rebound 50s and two clearances) and Jayden Kickett (16 disposals, nine mark and six rebound 50s) both impressed, with Jacob Lochowiak picking up 12 disposals and having six inside 50s in the loss. His brother Anzac Lochowiak was the key goalkicker booting 3.2 from 12 disposals and three marks.

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ST MARY’S 5.2 | 6.5 | 7.6 | 10.11 (71)
NIGHTCLIFF 4.5 | 7.8 | 11.13 | 12.16 (88)

Reigning premiers Nightcliff sought revenge on their Round 1 conquerors to square the ledger in grand final rematches this season. The Tigers trailed by three points at quarter time, but kicked into gear after that, booting four goals to one in the third term to blow the margin out to 31 points at the final break. The Saints hit back to kick 3.5 to 1.3, but it would not be enough, going down by 17 points. Nightcliff had a whopping 21 more marks – including six more inside 50 – and 21 more disposals, but remarkable won despite having five less inside 50s (45-50).

Daniel Bowles racked up 23 disposals, four marks and nine rebound 50s working hard out of defence, teaming up well with Nathan Brown (16 disposals, four marks and five rebound 50s). Sam Harper (21 disposals, three clearances, three tackles, five inside 50s and a goal) and Shaun Wilson (21 disposals, six marks, five inside 50s and a goal) also stood out, as three players slotted three goals apiece. Shaun Edwards amassed 23 disposals, four marks, eight clearances and nine inside 50s in a herculean effort to try and drag his side across the line, as Nathaniel Paredes continued his good season with 19 touches, three marks, three clearances, three tackles and two goals. Inside 50, Nigel Lockyer Jnr slotted four straight goals from 13 disposals.

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PALMERSTON MAGPIES 2.2 | 4.3 | 4.3 | 7.4 (46)
WANDERERS 7.4 | 9.6 | 13.8 | 15.10 (100)

A smashing first term and a dominant third quarter has resulted in Wanderers running away with a nine-goal win over Palmerston to halt the Magpies’ two-game winning streak. The 54-point win meant the Wanderers also moved to 2-2 for the year, staying four two points clear of the bottom three. Whilst the Magpies dominated the hitouts (plus-38) and broke even in the clearances, they were smacked every which way with the inside 50s as Wanderers racked up 55-32. They also had a massive 63 more uncontested possessions and 72 disposals in a one-sided results.

Beau O’Connell was busy in transition, accumulating 27 disposals, eight marks, eight inside 50s, laying five tackles and booting a goal. Marcus Totham (25 disposals, four marks, four clearances, five tackles and four inside 50s) and Jarred Erlandson (21 disposals, four marks, four clearances, three tackles and a goal) found heaps of it in midfield, while Lloyd Johnston had six rebounds to go with his 20 disposals and six marks, teaming up well in defence with Brodie Newman (18 disposals, six marks and six rebounds 50s), while Darren Shillabeer and Eddie Simpson combined for nine goals. There were not as many standout performers for the Magpies, though Cameron Baird had 25 disposals, five marks, eight rebound 50s and four spoils to lead the way, as Chris Williams (19 disposals, four marks, seven clearances, six inside 50s and a goal), Max Sutton (17 disposals, five clearances, four tackles, two inside 50s and a goal) and Eric Guthrie (17 disposals seven clearances, four inside 50s and three rebound 50s) were all busy.

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TIWI BOMBERS 3.3 | 6.9 | 6.10 | 10.14 (74)
SOUTHERN DISTRICTS 4.4 | 9.4 | 18.6 | 23.7 (145)

Southern Districts showed no mercy to the winless Tiwi Bombers, blowing away the last placed side by a whopping 71 points to pick up the Crocs’ first win of the season. Whilst they were in control for the most part, it was a one-sided 9.2 (56) to 0.1 (1) third term that really cause the blowout result. The Crocs had 24 more disposals and six more inside 50s, but made the most of their opportunities with a mind-boggling 11 scoring shots from 12 entries. By comparison, the Bombers had six inside 50s for one behind. Overall they used the ball far better recording a 68 to 59 per cent kicking efficiency for the match as well as a 91 to 76 per cent handball efficiency.

Jonathon Ross and Jy Farrer slotted five goals apiece in the huge win as Luke Morgan (22 disposals, seven marks, three inside 50s, two rebound 50s and three goals also looked dangerous in the forward half. Charles McAdam racked up 25 disposals, six marks, four inside 50s and four rebounds in the victory, with Michael Bowden (20 disposals, three marks and six rebound 50s) a reliable source in defence. Dion Munkara had a team-high 21 disposals for the Bombers, also recording three marks, three clearances, seven inside 50s, three rebound 50s and a goal. Edward Puruntatameri had 20 touches, 13 groundball gets, eight clearances and four rebound 50s in a hard-working performance, while Kim Kantilla and Harley Puruntatameri shared in 18 disposals apiece, as well as combining for 10 marks and 6.8.

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Picture credit: Felicity Elliott / AFLNT Media