WARATAH capitalised on losses to other premiership contenders, leapfrogging Nightcliff into top spot after the Tigers fell to Southern Districts in the Northern Territory Football League (NTFL) Men’s Premier League. Wanderers also knocked off St Mary’s in a strange weekend of action, while Darwin Buffaloes finally notched up their second win of the season, defeating the winless Tiwi Bombers.

DARWIN BUFFALOES 3.2 | 8.5 | 12.8 | 18.13 (121)
TIWI BOMBERS 3.3 | 4.5 | 5.9 | 8.11 (59)

Darwin Buffaloes grabbed their second win of the season to kick off Round 9, defeating the lowly Tiwi Bombers by 62 points. The Buffaloes moved into eighth spot on the table with the win, leapfrogging Palmerston Magpies on the back for 15 goals to five after trailing at quarter time. They had 103 more disposals, 48 more hitouts, 18 more clearances and 16 more inside 50s in a real one-sided match.

Tyrone Bean picked up 24 disposals, three marks, five rebound 50s and had four spoils in the win, as Bradley Stokes (23 disposals, six marks, three tackles, six inside 50s and two rebound 50s) and Thomas Clarke (23 disposals, five marks, four clearances, seven inside 50s and two goals) were both impressive. Brodie Foster slotted 3.4 for the Buffs, whilst Thomas Baulch managed 3.2 in a well spread goalkicking performance.

Dion Munkara had a match-high 27 disposals in a tireless effort for the Bombers, also recording six inside 50s and nine rebound 50s for his troubles. Aidan McAdam (20 disposals, four marks and six rebound 50s), Blake Erickson (19 disposals, three marks and five rebound 50s) and Jason Puruntatameri (12 disposals, five marks and six rebound 50s) all provided support from the back 50.

NIGHTCLIFF TIGERS 2.4 | 5.6 | 9.8 | 11.10 (76)
SOUTHERN DISTRICTS 3.3 | 8.4 | 10.8 | 13.12 (90)

In the big upset for the round, fifth placed Southern Districts downed reigning premiers Nightcliff by 14 points to usurp the Tiger from top spot on the ladder. Though the Crocs remained four points and percentage outside the top four, Southern Districts is quickly gaining ground on the leaders. The visitors best work was done during a 5.1 to 3.4 second term, with the Tigers closing the gap to a goal at the final break before the Crocs could kick away again. Nightcliff had 72 more disposals, 24 more marks, nine more clearances and four more inside 50s, but the Crocs applied 16 more one percenters, eight more spoils and were far more efficient whey went inside 50 (66 to 50 per cent).

Jake McQueen was far and away the top ball-winner for the Crocs, picking up 25 disposals – nine more than his nearest teammate – as well as six marks and seven tackles. Josiah Farrer had 16 disposals, three marks, nine ground ball gets, eight inside 50s and a goal, whilst Jack Ganley produced 16 disposals, four marks, three clearances, three tackles, five inside 50s, three rebound 50s and two goals. Leigh Williams (four goals) and Jonathon Ross (2.5) were other multiple goalkickers in the win.

Brodie Filo had another strong game for the Tigers, picking up 27 disposals, two marks, four clearances, four inside 50s, four rebound 50s and a goal, teaming up well with ex-Docker Tom North who managed 25 disposals, five marks, eight clearances, three tackles, seven inside 50s and two rebound 50s. Kyle Emery was unstoppable up forward with four goals from eight scoring shots, whilst Ryan Nyhuis stood tall in defence, collecting 16 disposals, five marks and five rebound 50s.

PALMERSTON 1.3 | 1.5 | 2.8 | 3.11 (29)
WARATAH 2.5 | 5.6 | 8.7 | 11.9 (75)

Waratah has taken full advantage of Nightcliff slipping up by posting an impressive 46-point win over Palmerston Magpies. The Tahs’ took top spot off the Tigers, winning their sixth game from seven played – with the one forced draw with St Mary’s – to hold outright top spot by two points. Critically, Waratah has the highest percentage of any side too, further emphasising their right to be on top, with a touch under 170 per cent. The Magpies slipped to seventh on the table following Darwin Buffaloes’ win. Waratah had 51 more disposals, 40 more marks and five more inside 50s, playing the better outside game, as Palmerston still won the clearances (plus-eight) and hitouts (plus-six).

Joel Stevens picked up 24 disposals, four marks, three clearances, four tackles, six inside 50s and a goal. Dylan Collis (21 disposals, four marks and six rebound 50s), Brodie Carroll (19 disposals, two marks, four clearances, five tackles, three inside 50s and three goals) and Joel Crocker (17 disposals, four marks and four rebound 50s) were among the best in an even team performance for the Tahs.

Luke Meadows was the top ball-winner for Palmerston with 24 disposals, four marks, four clearances, four tackles, four inside 50s and six rebound 50s. Eric Guthrie managed the 18 touches, two marks, eight clearances, seven tackles, five inside 50s and two rebounds, working hard inside with Max Sutton (15 disposals, four clearances and six tackles), and ex-Carlton and Adelaide star Eddie Betts who worked up the ground with 15 disposals, four clearances, six tackles and six inside 50s well.

WANDERERS 3.3 | 6.4 | 10.8 | 14.13 (97)
ST MARY’S 2.2 | 6.3 | 9.5 | 12.7 (79)

In the second surprise result of the weekend, Wanderers took down premiership contender St Marys in an impressive three-goal victory. In what was an arm-wrestle for the most part, Wanderers just happened to kick an extra goal in three of the four quarters to keep the Saints at bay. The Wanderers brought the heat with 18 more tackles, and also won the clearances despite losing the hitouts. They also had a plus-12 in contested possessions, beating St Mary’s at the Saints’ own game. There was not much between the sides, but the Wanderers got home with a 14.13 (97) to 12.7 (79) result.

Beau O’Connell was outstanding for Wanderers, racking up 25 disposals – seven more than his next highest teammate – as well as recording four marks, four clearances, seven tackles, eight inside 50s, three rebound 50s and two goals in a best-on for his side. Jarred Erlandson (18 disposals, three marks, four clearances and two inside 50s) and Daniel Weetra (16 disposals, four marks, four tackles, three inside 50s, four rebound 50s and a goal) also found plenty of the pill, whilst Eddie Simpson was outstanding up forward with 5.3 and three scoring assists from 13 touches and five marks.

St Mary’s skipper Nathaniel Paredes did all he could to try and drag his team across the line, racking up 29 disposals, 11 ground ball gets, eight clearances, three tackles, seven inside 50s, four score assists and a goal for his troubles. Jacob Long (17 disposals, three marks, two tackles and five rebound 50s) and Joseph Salmon (17 disposals, seven marks, three tackles, four inside 50s, three rebound 50s and a goal) were also impressive. Jackson Calder was a deadeye up forward in the loss, slotting six straight goals from 10 touches and six marks, four of which were contested.