FOR the third time in the 2023/24 season, Nightcliff found the answer for St Mary’s, defeating the minor premier by 11 points at TIO Stadium on Saturday night. In a momentum-swinging game, the Tigers stormed out of the blocks before surviving several fightbacks to eventually get over the line 13.9 (87) to 11.10 (76).

It was the worst possible outcome for the Saints coming up against Nightcliff for a spot in the grand final. Despite finishing on top of the ladder with a 13-3 record after 16 rounds, two of those three losses for the Saints had come against the Tigers. Despite that fact, the freshened St Mary’s – who had a bye in the first week of finals – was ready to face its conqueror.

That was, until Nightcliff slammed home 11 scoring shots to nil in the opening quarter.

The Tigers bolted out of the blocks to lead 5.6 (36) to 0.0 (0) and could have held an even greater advantage had the Tigers kicked straight. St Mary’s took full toll when the Saints had a change producing six goals to three in the second half in a scoring bonanza of 15 scoring shots.

Like Nightcliff in the first, the Saints could have done more damage on the scoreboard given the 6.6 score, but the title favourites were back in the game. Nightcliff continued to put the foot down in the second again, maintaining their advantage with a three goals to two term to stretch it out to a fairly handy 21 points.

Though St Mary’s came storming back into it in the last, Nightcliff steadied with two goals of its own to take out the win, 13.9 (87) to 11.10 (76). Brett Kennedy (three goals) lead the way, with John Butcher and Bailey Edwards both kicking a couple of majors for the yellow and black. Jackson Calder kicked four for the Saints to surpass everyone on the ground, while Dylan Landt managed the two majors.

Nightcliff coach Leigh Crossman who in his first season guided the Tigers into the grand final, was pleased his side could answer all the challenges.

“Full credit to St Mary’s, they’re a quality side who finished on top of the ladder for a reason and we knew they’d come at us,” he said post-match to AFL NT.

“But from there we were good enough to capitalise on our chances when the ball went forward, which was very pleasing.

“Liam Buxton in the ruck wasn’t too bad for us, the big guys don’t get any smaller as the game progresses which is a beautiful thing and Johnny Butcher up forward was quite handy for us.”

St Mary’s will now take on Southern Districts in the preliminary final in a bid to get a second crack at the Tigers. Coach Anthony Vallejo said the team would need to improve on its poor first quarter.

“Six goals down at the first break was always going to be hard to haul back and even though we got to within a point in the second quarter, they were the better side on the night as they proved in the second half,” Vallejo said.

“We were a bit fumbly early on and they were match hardened, so the week off might have cost us early on.”

In the other match, Southern Districts had no problems eliminating Waratah in straight sets, getting up by a whopping 52 points. Jarrod Brander slammed home five goals in the win, while Matthew Johnston and Jye Bolton starred for the Crocs in the 17.10 (112) to 8.12 (60) victory.

Southern Districts will go in as underdogs against St Mary’s, but did get close to the Saints both times they played, going down by 12 and nine points in the respective outings.