WARATAH stands alone at the top of the Northern Territory Football League (NTFL) Men’s Premier League after winning a tight 13-point win over Palmerston Magpies. Both sides headed into the contest at Gardens Ovals as contenders, and it was the Tahs that piled on seven goals to two in the opening half to lead by 32 points at the main break. The Magpies clawed their way back into it with seven second half goals to three, but it would not be enough as the visitors fell short, 10.10 (70) to 8.9 (57).

WARATAH 5.1 | 7.6 | 8.9 | 10.10 (70)
PALMERSTON 1.2 | 2.4 | 5.6 | 8.9 (57)

Coming into the match, the top ranked Palmerston was hoping to grab its best win of the season against the fifth placed Waratah, with both sides having notched up two wins, and the Magpies also registering a draw from their four games. The opening term ended up a blowout though, as Waratah made full toll of the Palmerston mistakes, slamming home five goals to one, with Jayden Magro kicking a couple, including pinching a dropped mark off Eric Guthrie.

Up the other end, magician forward Eddie Betts was making life difficult for the Tahs’ defenders with a brilliant roving snap from 45m out, but the home side went into the first break on top by 23 points. That momentum continued into the second term, as Waratah had seven scoring shots to three, but could not completely punish the Magpies, with 2.5 to 1.2 the scoreline. It left the door ajar for the visitors despite Waratah being in control of disposals (plus-23), marks (plus-11) and clearances (plus-six).

That clearance differential turned around in the second half however, as the Magpies started to get on top in that area. Despite Arnold Kirby and Tom Hallebone combining for 35 hitouts in the match and winning the stat by 23 after quarter time against the undersized Tristan Waack, it was the Palmerston engine room that started to roar to life. Off the back of a plus-10 differential in the second half, the Magpies duo of Guthrie (six clearances from 24 disposals) and Baxter Mensch (nine from 30) stepped up.

Palmerston’s momentum from the midfield flowed on up forward, as a third term of 2.2 to 0.3 took Palmerston back to within 26 points. It was still a mountain to climb, but back within a gettable margin. The Magpies won the inside 50s count by seven in the second half, and booted 4.3 in the final term to run out the game strongly. It would not be enough in the end despite a terrific match from Betts (four goals from 12 disposals) up forward.

Up the other end, Magro finished the day with three goals, as Darcy Hope (2.3) had plenty of scoring opportunities. In defence, Dylan Collis, Daniel O’Dwyer and Scott Carlin provided plenty of run for Waratah, while Ed Morris and the returning Abe Ankers both recorded five clearances apiece. In his 100th game, Brodie Carroll notched up 15 touches, five marks, six tackles and three inside 50s.

For the Magpies, Mensch and Guthrie were both among their best, while Neville Jetta (26 disposals – 90 per cent kicking efficiency – five marks and eight rebounds) and Sam Clohesy (23 disposals, three marks and six rebound 50s) were terrific from the back half.

AROUND THE GROUNDS

Nightcliff bounced back from a disappointing tight loss the week before to completely destroy Tiwi Bombers. The Tigers piled on 37 scoring shots to 13 in a 18.19 (127) to 4.9 (33) victory, with Brodie Filo (45 disposals, nine marks, 11 clearances, 12 inside 50s and three goals) producing one of the performances of the season. Youngster Phoenix Joe Pool was also lively with 18 disposals, eight marks and 10 inside 50s, while ex-AFL talent Harley Bennell had 31 disposals, eight marks, four clearances, five inside 50s and eight rebound 50s.

Wanderers managed to scrape together a three-point win over St Mary’s in a nail-biter. Despite only kicking one goal in the second half, Wanderers kept the Saints at bay to grind out a low-scoring, 6.11 (47) to 6.8 (44) victory. Brodie Newman had nine rebound 50s to go with 27 touches and 13 marks for Wanderers, while Daniel Weetra (31 touches, 15 marks, four tackles and three rebound 50s) was also busy on the outside. The win was Waratah’s first of the season to move four points clear of Tiwi Bombers.

In the Sunday match, Darwin Buffaloes and Southern Districts had to share the points at Cazaly’s Arena after the match was called off minutes prior to half-time due to a serious injury from Crocs defender Nicholas Weightman who landed awkwardly from a marking contest. At that point, Darwin lead 6.5 (41) to 2.5 (17), but with over half the game to play, and 30 minutes elapsed without further play, it was determined the sides would split the points. Despite his side trailing, Michael Bowden had 19 disposals, seven marks and five rebound 50s to half-time, while Thomas Baulch had booted 2.2 from 10 touches and three marks for the Buffs.