SOUTHERN DISTRICTS continues to set the benchmark in the Northern Territory Football League (NTFL) after a 13-point comeback win over Waratah in Round 13. The Crocs trailed by 22 points at half time, and ran over the top after falling 16 points behind with less than 10 minutes to play in the final quarter.

>> SCROLL to see the Round 13 scores & ladder

As all good sides do, Districts found a way to conjure five unanswered goals to close out the match and avoid their second defeat of the season. The 14.13 (97) to 12.12 (84) result at Norbuilt Oval also sees the Crocs maintain a three-game buffer atop the ladder with five rounds left to play.

Jordan Johnston was named best afield for the victors, while Matthew Johnston and Jed Anderson stuffed the stats sheet with 30 disposals apiece and 14 clearances between them. Steven Motlop and Matt Shannon did the damage with four-goal hauls as Jarrod Brander’s snared three.

Meanwhile, Liam O’Dea led the line with four majors for Waratah. Young gun Clay Shadforth wasn’t far behind with two, both kicked in the final quarter. Joel Hillis was one of three Tahs to have 29 disposals, while Scott Carlin (26) was also among the top contributors.

Despite the result, Southern Districts come away with slight concern for a pair of mainstays in Dean Staunton and Josiah Farrer, who clashed heads in the second quarter. The former was left bloodied but carried on, while the latter did not take any further part in the match.

The Crocs’ minor premiership quest will take a momentary hiatus with the bye in Round 14. Meanwhile, Waratah will look to get back on the winners list after a spirited showing, playing host to Tiwi Bombers on Saturday evening as jostling for spots among the top five heats up.

Elsewhere in Round 13, Tiwi produced the largest winning margin of the weekend after dispatching Wanderers to the tune of 71 points at Tracy Village Oval. Six unanswered goals in the opening quarter set the tone for a big Bombers victory, and only extended the gap to the top five.

Josh Muraca was a shining light for the Muk Muks, amassing 27 touches and kicking their only two goals. Kim Kantilla went two better for the Bombers with four majors as Matthew Parker showed his class to notch 30 disposals, seven tackles and six clearances.

Another crucial result among the top five was Nightcliff’s 32-point win over St Mary’s at TIO Stadium. After trailing at quarter time, the Tigers kicked seven of the next nine goals to double the Saints’ score (60-30) heading into the last break. From there, the margin only got bigger.

Brandon Parfitt was typically fierce at the contest with 27 disposals, six clearances and as many tackles, complimented well by Lachlan Tardew (25 disposals, four clearances). Blake Launder made himself dangerous around goal with three majors – matched by Fergus Greene.

PINT was the round’s other winner, beating the winless Darwin Buffaloes by 36 points. The Buffs were kept goalless at one end of Cazalys Arena as the Greenants did enough to maintain the advantage they build with at the scoring end in terms one and three.

Elliot Chalmers (27 disposals) was adjudged best afield display for PINT, while Thomas Schott (25, one goal) also proved prominent. Unsurprisingly, Jarrod Stokes produced a true captain’s effort for the Buffs, accumulating 26 touches, seven marks and a goal.

ROUND 13 RESULTS:

Nightcliff 12.9 (81) def. St Mary’s 7.7 (49)
Wanderers 2.7 (19) def. by Tiwi Bombers 13.12 (90)
Darwin Buffaloes 3.5 (23) def. by PINT 8.11 (59)
Southern Districts 14.13 (97) def. Waratah 12.12 (84)

Bye: Palmerston Magpies

NTFL LADDER:

1. Southern Districts (11-1, 258.7%)
2. Nightcliff (8-3, 144.0%)
3. Tiwi Bombers (8-4, 129.3%)
4. Waratah (7-3-1, 130.9%)
5. St Mary’s (7-5, 134.6%)
6. Wanderers (4-7-1, 64.0%)
7. PINT (4-8, 88.7%)
8. Palmerston (1-9-1, 41.9%)
9. Darwin Buffaloes (0-10-1, 37.4%) 

ROUND 14 FIXTURE

Saturday January 18:

Darwin Buffaloes vs. Wanderers
4:30pm @ TIO Stadium

Waratah vs. Tiwi Bombers
5:00pm @ Gardens Oval

St Mary’s vs. Palmerston
7:00pm @ TIO Stadium

Nightcliff vs. PINT
7:30pm @ Nightcliff Oval

Bye: Southern Districts