THE Northern Territory Football League (NTFL) Men’s Premier League ladder is starting to take shape, with the top four teams outright from the rest of the league after wins on the weekend.

ST MARY’S 3.4 | 8.5 | 10.5 | 14.5 (89)
PALMERSTON 3.0 | 6.1 | 8.6 | 10.6 (66)

St Mary’s bounced back from its first loss to Nightcliff last week by posting an important win over Palmerston Magpies. The Saints kept in touch with the Tigers and Waratah on four wins from five games, booting an accurate 11.1 after quarter time following an inaccurate first term, to win by 23 points. St Mary’s led by four points at quarter time after kicking 3.4 to 3.0, but then hardly missed in the final three terms, to keep Palmerston at an arms-length to secure the 14.5 (89) to 10.6 (66) win. They had 12 more marks, though that was predominantly from the last quarter where they had plus-21. The Magpies had 17 more disposals overall, seven more clearances and two more inside 50s, but it would not be enough.

Jacob Long had a team-high 21 disposals for the Saints, also picking up six marks – two contested – three inside 50s and eight rebound 50s. Also impressive in defence was Ben Browne (18 disposals, seven marks and five rebound 50s). Jack Kluske (18 disposals, three marks, five clearances, five tackles and two goals hit the scoreboard, whilst Josh Cheek (14 disposals, three marks, six clearances and four tackles) was lively onball. Ex-Demon Aaron Davey was sensational for the Magpies, notching up 28 touches, seven marks and eight rebound 50s, kicking at 80 per cent by foot. Fellow former AFL-listed talent Alwyn Davey had 20 touches and seven marks, while Daniel Stafford slammed home five goals from 14 disposals and six marks.

DARWIN 3.1 | 3.2 | 8.5 | 12.5 (77)
NIGHTCLIFF 3.3 | 8.5 | 11.6 | 18.8 (116)

Nightcliff strung together its fourth straight win with a comprehensive 39-point win over Darwin Buffaloes thanks to dominant second and fourth quarters. The Tigers led by two points at quarter time, then piled on 5.2 to 0.1 in the second term to race out to a 33-point half-time advantage. The Buffs cut that back to 19 at the final break, before a stunning seven goals to four final term resulted in the reigning premiers getting up, 18.8 (116) to 12.5 (77). The Tigers were able to get their running game going with 28 more groundball gets, 31 more handball receives and 37 more disposals, but most impressively booted 7.2 from nine inside 50s in the final term, scoring at a 100 per cent entry rate.

Tom North led all-comers in disposals with 25 touches, five marks, six inside 50s and two goals, as Brodie Filo (23 disposals, five marks, three clearances, four inside 50s) and Liam Holt-Fitz (22 disposals, five marks, three inside 50s and five goals) were outstanding, the latter a clear best-on. Kyle Emery also slotted four goals in the victory, with Daniel Bowles (19 disposals, three marks, four inside 50s and six rebound 50s) providing great drive. Jarrod Stokes (25 disposals, eight marks, five clearances, seven inside 50s, four rebound 50s and a goal) did it all for the Buffaloes, as Thomas Clarke (18 disposals, five marks, three clearances and three tackles) was next best with disposals. Ben Archard had 37 hitouts and five clearances from 14 disposals to dominate the ruck, while Charles Sharples (17 disposals, three marks, five clearances, five tackles and three inside 50s) also impressed.

SOUTHERN DISTRICTS 1.5 | 2.10 | 3.10 | 7.14 (56)
WANDERERS 3.2 | 8.4 | 15.7 | 18.9 (117)

A stunning third term from Wanderers, coupled with an inaccurate first half by their opponents, saw the visitors topple Southern Districts in a one-sided 61-point victory. Moving up to outright fourth on the table by claiming their third win, Wanderers piled on 15.7 to 3.10 in the first three quarters, helped by a seven-goal third term after having two less scoring shots at the main break but still leading by five goals. In the end, accuracy and precision won out as they got up, 18.9 (117) to 7.14 (56). Wanderers had 36 more disposals, predominantly kicks, and a whopping 44 more marks, making up for the fact the Crocs won the hitouts and clearances.

Marcus Totham lead the way with a match-high 26 disposals, as well as seven marks, five inside 50s and a goal, supported well by Brodie Newman (23 disposals, nine marks, three spoils and seven rebound 50s) and Braedon McLean (22 disposals, eight marks, four tackles and six rebound 50s) both stepping up in defence. Eddie Simpson slammed home five goals for the inners, while Jarred Erlandson was crucial at the stoppages with six clearances to go with 20 touches, four marks and three inside 50s. Michael Bowden topped the disposal count for Southern Districts with 25 touches, as well as five marks, three spoils and five rebound 50s. Jack Sexton (22 disposals, five marks, three tackles and four inside 50s) and Dean Staunton (18 disposals, three clearances, four tackles, four inside 50s and a goal) were among the other better players in the match.

TIWI BOMBERS 0.3 | 3.7 | 3.9 | 8.11 (59)
WARATAH 3.5 | 8.10 | 14.14 | 16.19 (115)

A five goals to two last term was not enough to save Tiwi Bombers from a fifth straight defeat in season 2021/22, going down to an impressive Waratah by 56 points. The Bombers missed their opportunities with only 3.9 in the first three quarters, though the Tahs’ kicked 8.10 in the opening half, not making the most of their dominance. Once the visitors kicked into gear with a 6.4 to 0.2 third term, it effectively ended the contest, blowing the lead right out to 71 points. The last quarter saved the Bombers from being completely dismantled, though Waratah still completely dominated disposals with a massive 112 more touches, as well as 108 more uncontested possessions and 63 more marks. Remarkably the Bombers still won the clearances (plus-eight).

William Collis (27 disposals, seven marks four inside 50s, two rebound 50s and a goal) and Robert Turnbull (27 disposals, seven marks, four inside 50s and three rebounds) both shared the most disposals for the inners. Brodie Carroll slotted three goals from 24 touches, nine marks and four tackles, whilst Jayden Magro nailed four goals from 16 disposals and five marks. For the Bombers, Dion Munkara had a team-high 25 disposals, as ell as four marks, five clearances, four tackles, seven inside 50s and seven rebound 50s in a clear best-on for his side. Harley Puruntatameri (16 disposals, six marks, three clearances, four tackles, three inside 50s, two rebound 50s and a goal) also tried hard despite the defeat.

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Picture credit: Glenn Campbell