SOUTHERN Districts won the battle of the NTFL Men’s Premier League undefeated sides after coming away with a 20-point victory over Tiwi Bombers. Both sides headed into the clash having won their first two matches in the 2024/25 season, but something had to give, and eventually the Crocs were able to pull away to record an 11.7 (73) to 7.11 (53) victory.

The Crocs looked to be on top throughout the first half as they took up a seven-point lead at quarter time, and 15-point lead by the main break. They looked to move the ball quickly by hand and led the hitouts by 13 and clearances by eight heading into the main break. Tiwi was using a predominant kick-first style, while Southern Districts was more balanced and getting on top.

That changed a little in the third term as the Bombers booted four goals to three to etch into the deficit a touch and bring it back to a far more manageable 10 points by the final break. Despite the successful term on the scoreboard, the Bombers were still well behind in the middle and contested possessions (minus-11) which was costing them dearly.

After a down term, Southern Districts picked up the slack again in the final stanza, booting three goals to one and cementing the win by 20 points. The quarter was underpinned by a plus-19 hitout advantage (plus-42 for the match) and a plus-eight rebound 50 advantage, as the Crocs bravely defended any Bombers. forward forays to hold them off and then punish them up the other end from only seven inside 50s.

Jed Anderson lead the way for Southern Districts, picking up 22 disposals, five clearances, four inside 50s and booting two goals, while Matt Shannon also kicked a couple of majors from 19 disposals and four clearances. Beau Schwarze used his experience with Anderson to have 20 touches and five clearances, getting his hands dirty with 13 groundball gets.

In defence, Shannon Motlop racked up a game-high 10 rebound 50s to be crucial in the Crocs’ win, while Wyatt Ryan (40 hitouts) and Matt Dennis (11) combined well through the ruck to take control in that area against young ruck Jackson Broadbent (seven).

Ever-consistent midfielder Sam Darley racked up a game-high 28 disposals and 11 marks for the Bombers, also finishing with seven inside 50s, three rebound 50s and a goal. Braedon McLean (20 disposals, four marks, five inside 50s and four rebound 50s) was very good, as was Michael Thompson (17 disposals, five inside 50s, three rebound 50s). Nicholas Hooker (13 disposals, six marks and six rebound 50s) battled hard in defence, while Karson Kantilla kicked three goals up the other end.

The win leaves Southern Districts four points clear of St Mary’s, but the Saints have a game in hand, while Tiwi drops to third spot and a 2-1 record to still be clear of the rest of the field alongside Nightcliff, the other team with a positive win-loss statement thus far.

TIWI BOMBERS 1.6 | 2.8 | 6.8 | 7.11 (53)
SOUTHERN DISTRICTS 3.1 | 5.5 |8.6 | 11.7 (73)

GOALS:
Tiwi Bombers: K. Kantilla 3, S. Darley, M. Dunn, A. Munkara, A. Tipungwuti
Southern Districts: J. Anderson 2, W. Farrer 2, M. Shannon 2, M. Bidmade, J. Johnston, S. Motlop, D. Murphy, J. Ross

BEST:
Tiwi Bombers: S. Darley, M. Thompson, T. Stapleton, K. Kantilla, M. Dunn
Southern Districts: J. Anderson, W. Ryan, M. Shannon, C. Giddings, J. Farrer

AROUND THE GROUNDS

St Mary’s further established its status as the team to beat with a convincing 61-point thrashing of PINT on Saturday, with the Saints keeping the Ants to just four goals for the match. St Mary’s booted six goals to two in the first half and seven goals to two in the second half to run away 13.13 (91) to 4.5 (29) victors at TIO Stadium Oval 2.

Jackson Calder had another day out for the winners, albeit with plenty of missed chances. The leading goalkicker chance finished with 21 disposals, 11 marks – seven contested – and five goals from 11 scoring shots in a clear best on ground performance. Skipper Dylan Landt brought his own ball again, racking up 34 disposals, seven marks, 12 inside 50s and booting two goals himself. PINT’S Benjamin Brett kicked three of his side’s four goals.

Palmerston Magpies got on the board in the 2024/25 season with a comprehensive 57-point thrashing of the winless Darwin Buffaloes at Cazaly’s Arena on Friday night. The Magpies were challenged early but shook off the Buffs after quarter time and then slammed home six goals to one in the final term to blow out the final score to 13.20 (98) to 5.11 (41).

Nayef Hamad had the ball on a string with 35 disposals, six marks, six clearances, eight inside 50s and a goal, with Matthew Payne (26 disposals, five marks, six clearances, five inside 50s and three rebound 50s) also controlling the midfield. Nathan Dowsett had 11 rebound 50s from 26 disposals up the other end, while Thomas Antulov finished with four goals from seven touches. Jarrod Stokes (32 disposals, nine marks, five clearances, 11 inside 50s and six rebound 50s) did all he could for the losing side.

In the other match, Nightcliff kept in touch with the top two after a 29-point victory over Waratah in front of home fans. The Tigers trailed at each break including by six points at the final change, before piling on six goals to nil in the last quarter to disguise it as a comfortable 12.12 (84) to 8.7 (55) win.

Brett Kennedy (five goals) and Calvin Peris-Chong (three) were both prominent on the scoreboard, while skipper Brodie Filo had 27 disposals, four clearances, nine inside 50s and three rebounds in the win. Alex Paech (17 disposals, 19 hitouts, six clearances and five tackles) got involved out of the ruck. For Waratah, Scott Carlin was again his side’s best, notching up 33 disposals, seven marks, three clearances, three tackles, five inside 50s, three rebound 50s and a goal, while Liam O’Dea was another standout.