THE weekend’s Northern Territory Football League (NTFL) Men’s Premier League action saw consistently big scores across the board, with at least one team in every match reaching triple digits and sides flaunting their scoring ability with some impressive totals. The league’s top teams maintained their hot form with some big wins, as the league returned to a full week of matches following last week’s shortened round.

TIWI BOMBERS 1.0 | 2.5 | 5.8 | 6.6 (42)
WARATAH 5.4 | 11.7 | 16.12 | 21.14 (140)

Waratah kicked off the round with a bang, recording a whopping 98-point victory over the Tiwi Bombers at TIO Stadium on Saturday afternoon, as they close in on top spot on the ladder. The Warriors headed into this clash heavily favoured against the Bombers, and these suspicions were confirmed early in the match, with the victors taking an eight-goal lead into halftime and never looking back from there. The Bombers simply had no match for the pure scoring power of their opponents as they recorded their seventh loss from their seven matches. On the other hand, Waratah recorded their fifth victory of the season, and are just two points behind stealing top spot on the ladder.

Waratah’s Jayden Magro led all comers with four goals in a commanding display forward of the ball, making up for lost time with their clash last round cancelled due to poor weather. He was well-assisted by teammate Harrison Kitschke, who added three of his own in a classy performance. Bomber Chris Moreen made the most of his opportunities with a pair of goals on a day where they appeared hard to come by.

WANDERERS 2.2 | 8.4 | 13.7 | 17.13 (115)
SOUTHERN DISTRICTS 3.4 | 6.7 | 9.10 | 15.11 (101)

The Wanderers were able to hold off a fast-finishing Southern Districts side, downing their opponents to the tune of 14 points at TIO Stadium on Saturday afternoon. The Districts jumped out to an early lead, but a six-goal-to-two second term saw the Wanderers firmly grab hold of the contest. This margin remained for the third term, before the Districts had one last crack at mounting a comeback to potentially upset the third-placed Wanderers, but it was too little too late as the clock ended up defeating them to give their opponents the victory.

The Wanderers were well-led up forward by Edward Simpson, who booted four goals and was one of his side’s best on the day. He looked too much for opposition defenders at times and was one of the catalysts behind the strong offensive performance from his side. For Southern Districts, Beau Schwarze, Jonathon Ross and Jake McQueen combined for 10 of the team’s 15 goals as they tried to drag their team over the line.

DARWIN BUFFALOES 1.1 | 4.1 | 5.2 | 7.6 (48)
NIGHTCLIFF TIGERS 4.5 | 7.8 | 11.9 | 17.13 (115)

The Nightcliff Tigers were able to get the job done, defeating the Darwin Buffaloes to maintain top spot on the ladder with a 67-point triumph at TIO Stadium on Saturday night. The Tigers jumped out to an early lead in the first term, and continued this momentum throughout the remainder of the game, despite a second-term that could be considered a draw with both sides scoring three goals (although this was mainly due to the inaccuracy of the Tigers). It was smooth sailing for the Tigers for the rest of the game, who recorded their sixth win of the season to resume sitting on the top of the table.

A six-goal haul from Trent Melville was the offensive spark for the Tigers, as he appeared to reel in anything that came his way. While this was a dominant display, he was not on his own forward of the ball, with teammate Kyle Emery producing four majors of his own, demonstrating the dynamic scoring power of the Tigers. Darwin’s Gareth Remfrey tried admirably in the defeat, slotting two of his team’s seven goals.

PALMERSTON MAGPIES 3.1 | 6.6 | 8.7 | 10.10 (70)
ST MARY’S 6.2 | 10.6 | 14.6 | 18.9 (117)

A four-quarter performance saw St Mary’s take down the Magpies as they keep their winning streak rolling with a 47-point triumph at TIO Stadium on Sunday afternoon. The victors burst out of the gate with a six goal first quarter, asserting their dominance on the contest early. The Magpies put up a strong offensive fight, but were unable to contain the scoring power of St Mary’s who were able to storm away with their fifth win of the season, with just one loss and one draw next to their name. Meanwhile, the struggles of the Magpies have continued their struggles, sustaining their fifth loss from their seven games.

St Mary’s Jackson Calder was a force to be reckoned with in the forward half, finishing with a round-high seven goals, in a clear best-on-ground display. Clearly the number-one man for his side whenever they looked to drive the ball forward, Calder could simply not be stopped as he drove his side to their fifth win of the season almost off his own boot.