THE weekend is finally here, and so is the latest round of the Northern Territory Football League (NTFL) Men’s Premier League. The competition has returned after a break over the Christmas and New Year period, and sides are gearing up for a 13th round of action. There are just six rounds remaining before finals kick off for the top half of the ladder, so the race for a spot in the postseason is about to get more tense than ever. There is just one win separating the top three sides, and with a big enough percentage boost, either of the top two sides could finish the round at the head of the table, so expect some entertaining clashes.

Tiwi Bombers vs. St Mary’s

Saturday, January 8 @2pm
TIO Stadium

The clash between the sides has been cancelled in light of the Darwin COVID-19 scare. Full details as reported by the NT News is here.

Wanderers vs. Palmerston Magpies

Saturday, January 8 @4:30pm
TIO Stadium

The second-now-first match of TIO Stadium’s triple header for the day will see the Wanderers take on the Palmerston Magpies in an interesting matchup on Saturday afternoon. While this may loom as a one-sided affair given the two sides’ contrasting positions on the ladder, there is always the chance of a shock result, which is what the Magpies will be eager to bring to fruition. The Wanderers have well and truly set themselves up for a finals berth, currently sitting in fourth spot with three wins over the next team in line. It appears likely that they will secure a top-four spot, but there will be no lack of motivation, with the three spots above them certainly up for grabs in the coming weeks. Standing in their way this week are the Magpies, who have struggled in their campaign this season, winning just three of their matches so far this season. However, the pressure will be on the Wanderers this week, so there could be an upset brewing.

Nightcliff Tigers vs. Southern Districts

Saturday, January 8 @4:30pm
Darwin Mazda Nightcliff Oval

The only match not to take place at TIO Stadium this round will see the Southern Districts travel to Darwin Mazda Nightcliff Oval to take on the Nightcliff Tigers on Saturday afternoon. The Tigers will be eager to maintain top spot on the ladder with a win in this match, but the Districts have shown in the past that they are no easybeats. Nightcliff currently sit atop the standings with nine wins next to its name, but there are three teams that are potentially only a week or two away from changing this, so every result counts and they should come out firing this week with plenty on the line. They will be coming up against the Southern Districts, and while this side may not be currently in the top four, the Crocs will be fighting to keep their season alive, so they will also have plenty to play for in what should be an explosive contest.

Waratah vs. Darwin Buffaloes

Saturday, January 8 @7pm
TIO Stadium

The final match of the round will see Waratah play host to the Darwin Buffaloes when the two sides go head-to-head at TIO Stadium on Saturday night in the third of three matches at the ground for the day. Waratah will enter this match as favourites, but the Buffaloes will still be eager to send a message to the rest of the competition and cause an impressive boilover. The home side currently find themselves in second spot on the ladder, and with just two points separating them and the ladder-leading Tigers, a win here is vital and could see them atop the standings by the end of the round, so there will be no lack of motivation for the team. The Buffaloes have won just the three games this season, but are still a mathematical chance to sneak into the top four, and an upset here would be the perfect way to kickstart this campaign.