ROUND 5 is set to be another cracker with the Northern Territory Football League (NTFL) Men’s Premier League set to kick off this Saturday. The competition is sure to heat up as the eight teams remain hot behind the heels of the Nightcliff Tigers, who sit firmly at the top of the leaderboard. With an AFL premiership player making his debut this weekend with the Southern Districts, how will the ladder be impacted by the end of a new week? Football fans in the Northern Territory will be in for a treat with the Tiwi Bombers and Waratah opening up Round 5 on Saturday afternoon.

Saturday, October 30

TIWI BOMBERS v WARATAH
Gardens Oval, 2PM

The Tiwi Bombers will be looking to score the first win of the season when they take on Waratah, however they face a huge challenge ahead of them. Waratah is placed second on the ladder, just behind Nightcliff. Given that the Bombers lost the lead last week in the third quarter against the Southern Districts, they will have to pull out all the stops if they are to topple a dominant Waratah front. But with Waratah aiming to keep a hold of their current leaderboard position, will they be able to take out the win in the first-ever Darwin-based home game at Gardens Oval? Realistically, yes, but stranger things have happened.

SOUTHERN DISTRICTS v WANDRERS
Norbuilt Oval, 4PM

The Wanderers were in flying form last against the Palmerston Magpies, with young gun Beau O’Connell impressing in the win at the TIO Stadium last week. They currently sit fifth on the leaderboard and have two wins under their belt. The Eagles come into the match aiming to bag another win and continue their quest for a move up the ladder, although the unveiling of Southern District’s marquee signing may stifle their plans. Southern Districts are set to get a boost with Geelong premiership star Harry Taylor making his debut this Saturday at Norbuilt Oval. The sixth-placed Southern Districts currently have one win to their name, but with the new debutant’s experience in the AFL, the team is set for an epic showdown against the Wanderers.

DARWIN BUFFALOES v NIGHTCLIFF TIGERS
TIO Stadium, 7PM

Reeling from last week’s loss against Waratah, the Darwin Buffaloes are looking to get another win on the board. It will be no easy feat for the Buffaloes, taking on the reigning premiers and current ladder leaders, Nightcliff. The Tigers have sent a clear warning to the teams they’ve already come across, including St Mary’s. Will the Darwin Buffaloes end up next on their warning list, or will they find the motivation to score their second win of the season against the clear ladder leaders?

Sunday, October 31

ST MARY’S v PALMERSTON MAGPIES
TIO Stadium, 4PM

The final game of the round will play out between St Mary and the Palmerston Magpies in the standalone Sunday fixture. It will be a battle between third place and fourth place, with St Mary’s slightly ahead with has three wins to their name and the Palmerston Magpies hot on their heels with two wins. Palmerston have been playing quite well, including a 41-point win against the Darwin Buffaloes. With their position on the ladder just in front of the Wanderers by only a small percentage, it will be do or die for the side as they fight to overthrow St Mary’s and prove what they are capable of.

Picture credit: Felicity Elliott – AFLNT Media