IN this weekend’s Northern Territory Football League (NTFL) Men’s Premier League, there were some decently sized margins with the competition’s eight sides facing off. The Nightcliff Tigers were able to firmly plant themselves in the top two with a big victory. The struggles of the Tiwi Bombers continued despite an admirable score, while Waratah held off an almighty scare from an opponent much further down the ladder.

TIWI BOMBERS 3.2 | 4.5 | 4.7 | 7.12 (54)
PALMERSTON MAGPIES 5.1 | 12.4 | 14.10 | 19.12 | (126)

The Palmerston Magpies were able to claim their third win of the season in Round 10, defeating the Tiwi Bombers by 72 points at TIO Stadium on Saturday afternoon. The Magpies entered this clash expected to win by many given their opponents were yet to win a game, and these predictions were proven correct, with Palmerston leading the entire day and cruising home to a powerful win. The Bombers will be impressed with some of their ball movement and scoring plays, but there is still a mountain of work to do if they are to turn their season around.

Palmerston had a number of impressive contributors, none more so than Luke Meadows, who seemed to get a case of leather poisoning as he racked up 37 disposals, six clearances and a goal in a commanding display. He was given plenty of assistance by a number of teammates, including Ryan Wharfe (23 disposals, five marks), Eddie Betts (20 disposals, three goals) and Max Sutton (17 disposals, six tackles) in what was a well-rounded team performance from the Magpies.

Tiwi Bombers midfielder Dion Munkara provided a valiant display in the loss, racking up 25 disposals, four clearances and hitting the scoreboard with two goals. In a match where the Magpies appeared to have ascendancy in all areas of the ground, Munkara fought tirelessly to keep his side in the match and stood out in the match despite the brutal loss.

WARATAH 0.4 | 4.7 | 8.8 | 10.13 (73)
SOUTHERN DISTRICTS 1.4 | 4.4 | 7.4 | 8.6 (54)

In one of the most exciting games of the round, Waratah were able to fend off an upset from the Southern Districts, claiming a 19-point victory at Gardens Oval on Saturday afternoon. The Districts caused a massive upset last weekend and threated to do the same again against the ladder-leaders, but Waratah were able to bounce back from a slow start to kick away from their opponents in the final term and claim their seventh win of the season.

Waratah midfielder Brodie Carroll was clearly one of the standout performers for his side in the win, racking up 24 disposals (with a nice mix of contested and uncontested possessions), eight inside 50s and a goal, in an outing where he seemingly popped up everywhere. Teammate Jayden Magro was just as impressive, accumulating 21 disposals, extracting four clearances and pumping the ball inside-50 nine times in an all-around performance for his side that affected the contest in a positive way.

Southern Districts’ Frazer Driscoll proved himself a talented accumulator in the loss, finding the ball a game-high 32 times. From the backline, he was able to impact the match heavily, producing a whopping 20 rebound 50s as he frequently drove the ball forward and attempted to create offensive run for his side. Michael Bowden was also impressive for the Districts, finishing with 27 disposals and driving the ball out of defence 13 times himself in an eye-catching display.

NIGHTCLIFF TIGERS 4.1 | 7.6 | 11.7 | 15.12 (102)
WANDERERS 1.3 | 3.5 | 3.6 | 6.7 (43)

The Tigers announced themselves as a step ahead of their peers with a whopping 59-point victory over the Wanderers at Darwin Mazda Nightcliff Oval on Saturday night. It was the most anticipated clash of the round, with the two sides occupying second (Nightcliff) and third (Wanderers) spot on the ladder. However, the Tigers were able to cement themselves in the top two with convincing victory that saw them dominate every facet of the match with impressive play.

A five-goal haul from Nightcliff forward Shaun Wilson was the catalyst for his side’s big win. The Wanderers defence appeared to have no answer for Wilson, who was able to slot goals from all over the forward line, and he could have had even more had he not missed three shots on goal. Teammate Brodie Filo led all-comers in finding the ball, finishing with 33 disposals and a goal in an impressive outing.

Wanderers defender Beau O’Connell produced a brave performance in the tough loss, never giving up and looking to continually driving the ball forward. He finished with an impressive 22 disposals, with his dashing run a real highlight in the team’s loss.

ST MARY’S 3.2 | 6.4 | 10.7 | 14.11 (95)
DARWIN BUFFALOES 3.2 | 4.4 | 5.4 | 5.7 (37)

The final match of the round saw St Mary’s produce an impressive second half on their way to defeating the Darwin Buffaloes by 58 points at TIO Stadium on Sunday afternoon. The game was well and truly on in the first half, with St Mary’s taking just a two goal lead into the main break, before booting eight goals to one in the second half to storm away with their sixth win of the season.

St Mary’s scoring was led by Jackson Calder, who booted five goals in a towering performance in the forward line. With his side scoring 74 of their 95 points from turnovers, Calder was frequently on the end of fast ball movement and he made sure to make the opposition pay for their sloppy play. Teammate Joseph Salmon was also impressive in the win, racking up 18 disposals.

Darwin Buffaloes’ Jackson Clark led the match in disposals, finding the ball 27 times and using it effectively, particularly by foot, going at 83 per cent kicking efficiency. His dash was terrific all day despite the final margin, recording eight rebound-50’s to finish as his side’s strongest performer on the day.