ROUND 12 of the Northern Territory Football League (NTFL) saw the Wanderers and Palmerston Magpies play out a draw when they clashed at TIO Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

With finals approaching and the Wanderers still looking to move into the top four in the coming weeks, it was an important couple of points to keep their postseason hopes alive, while the Magpies showed that their best can trouble contending sides, despite just one win to their name this season.

It was a tightly contested start to the match, with the two sides posting just one goal each in a low-scoring start to the match. The Magpies led by a point at quarter time in what was shaping up to be a scrappy affair.

The second term saw Palmerston truly take control of the match, with the Magpies jumping out to a serious lead thanks to a dominant patch of play. They controlled possession and ultimately made the Wanderers pay with a five goal to one quarter, leading by 25 points at half time and fully taking control of the match.

The Wanderers dragged themselves back into the contest after halftime, charging back into the game by scoring four goals to Palmerston’s one in the third quarter. A couple of of quick ones after the main break breathed some life into the team, and it was an eight-point game at the final change as momentum swung again.

Once again, the Wanderers were the better side in the fourth quarter, but will be left to rue their inefficiency, managing just 1.4 (10), while the Magpies could produce just a pair of behinds themselves as proceedings finished all tied up at 7.10 (52) apiece.

For the Wanderers, Jack Sinclair was named best on ground for his side, booting a couple of goals for his side, while Josh Maruca also impressed in the draw, as did George Wilks, Jerome Motlop, Kayne Cox and Mitchel Taylor.

Deacon Summerville was Palmerston’s best with a dominant display, while Declan Barnett, Jayden Davey and Tristen Waack all played their parts. Nathan Dowsett kicked a couple of majors to be the only multiple goal-kicker for his team.

AROUND THE GROUNDS

The Tiwi Bombers ensured the Darwin Buffaloes remain winless in the 2024/25 NTFL season, handing them a 58-point loss at TIO Stadium on Saturday afternoon. The Bombers booted five goals to one in the opening quarter to put their stamp on the game and never allowed the Buffaloes to get back into the contest, in a result that could be crucial in Tiwi’s hopes to lock up a top-four spot come season’s end.

Waratah moved up to second spot on the ladder after convincingly defeating St. Mary’s by 34 points at TIO Stadium on Saturday night. Waratah stormed out of the gates by booting four unanswered goals in the opening quarter to set the tone for the match, and although St. Mary’s tried to get back in the contest, the damage was done as the victors claimed an important win that helped them move closer to locking in a finals spot.

In the final game of the round, the Southern Districts Crocs kept their near-perfect record with a 44-point victory over PINT at TIO Stadium on Sunday evening. Although PINT managed to keep the Crocs goalless in the first term, Southern Districts came to life after quarter time and demonstrated why they are considered the flag favourites. Their record remains impressive with 10 wins and one loss to their name and have firmed their grip on the minor premiership despite an early challenge.