FORMER Essendon AFL-listed talent Anthony Munkara had a day out for Waratah in the NTFL Men’s Premier League competition, slotting six goals as the ‘Tahs ran rampant over Southern Districts to notch up an 88-point win in Round 1.

Munkara was the star of the show, slamming home six goals and three behinds from 17 disposals and four marks – all inside the forward 50 – to be unstoppable around the big sticks. It helped steer Waratah to a massive 19.12 (126) to 5.8 (38) win over Southern Districts in the opening match at TIO Stadium on Friday night.

The ‘Tahs booted eight goals to two in the first half, and lead by 38 points with a quarter to spare. However there was no taking the foot off the gas in the final term, as the winners piled on eight goals to nil in the final stanza to win by more than 14 goals.

Aside from Munkara who showed his class, Ed Morris (30 disposals, 10 marks, six clearances and 11 inside 50s) and Arnold Kirby (19 disposals, 33 hitouts, four clearances, five inside 50s and a goal) were also important in the win, with Munkara’s close friend – Dwayne Kerinaiua – also having a strong game, kicking four goals. Kerinaiua was a key reason why Munkara backflipped on an initial decision to join Tiwi Bombers and instead join Waratah ahead of Round 1.

In was an impressive win from Waratah who had to overcome a pretty strong Southern Districts outfit that included former AFL player Jed Anderson. He finished with 20 disposals, five marks, five clearances and four inside 50s, working well with Beau Schwarze (30 disposals, seven marks, five tackles and six inside 50s) and Ronald Fejo.

Ultimately though, Waratah had 22 more inside 50s off the back of 58 more disposals and 52 more uncontested possessions, to control the game via a kick-mark style. The Crocs will want to bounce back next week coming up against the Tiwi Bombers, while Waratah clashes with St Mary’s.

AROUND THE GROUNDS

The remaining three matches for Round 1 were relatively close, with Wanderers’ 29-point win over Palmerston Magpies the next largest differential. Wanderers booted 11.7 (73) to 6.8 (44), as Nathan Arbon brought his own ball en route to 37 disposals. His effort was matched by Bailey Young who achieved the same feat for the Magpies. Clay Shadforth (13 disposals, six marks) and Waylon Davey (11 disposals, two marks and a goal) were among the bottom-agers to play for the black and whites.

Darwin Buffaloes got past PINT by two goals, coming from three points down at the final break to kick four goals to one and win, 13.12 (90) to 11.12 (78). Baxter Mensch continued his form from last season, producing a video game statline of 41 disposals, 15 marks, five clearances, six inside 50s, five rebound 50s and three tackles. Jarrod Stokes (34 disposals, nine marks and 10 inside 50s) was also outstanding, while for PINT, recent Geelong VFL best and fairest winner Jye Chalcraft kicked off his NTFL career with 26 disposals, six clearances and goal.

In the last game of the round, Nightcliff made the most of accurate goalkicking to punish St Mary’s for the Saints’ wayward accuracy during a 10.3 (63) to 5.14 (44) victory. Jonathan Lanyon and Brodie Filo both had 27 disposlas in the win, combining for 11 marks, six inside 50s and seven rebound 50s as well. For St Mary’s, the usual suspects stood up with Dylan Landt (31 disposals, eight marks, seven tackles, nine inside 50s and a goal) and Nathaniel Paredes (28 disposals, seven marks, six clearances and five tackles) were prolific.