ST MARY’S has come from the brink of defeat to run over the top of Waratah and claim an unbelievable three-point win in Round 2 of the NTFL Men’s Premier League competition. The Saints trailed at every break by at least two goals, but a five goals to two final term resulted in the green and gold pinching the win via a Beau Tedcastle goal, 14.10 (94) to 13.13 (91).

It was an incredible performance from St Mary’s who was coming off a disappointing Round 1 loss to Nightcliff, while Waratah had a significantly easier game, destroying Southern District by 88 points. The Tahs continued that form into Round 2, kicking four goals to two in the opening term to lead by 12 points at the first break.

A dominant second quarter of five goals to three put the red and whites further ahead, and by the time the siren sounded, the lead was out to 26 points. Each time St Mary’s put a question to Waratah, it was swiftly answered back. It was not until the edge of three quarter time that the Saints were able to make a greater inroad into the deficit with three consecutive goals after trailing by five goals.

Skipper Dylan Landt along with forwards Tex Korewha and Tedcastle all started to get off the chain, and a 4.2 to 2.3 term helped the Saints claw within 15 points again. It was back to a manageable deficit, but there was still work to be done.

That work was to be done, as the Saints continued to press, and led by Landt – who kicked the go-ahead goal – St Mary’s hit the front for the first time in the game. However there was still another twist and turn to come, with Lachlan Cassidy responding for Waratah to almost snatch back victory from the jaws of defeat.

However the comeback would be complete when an intercept and quick snap forward to a one-on-one in the goalsquare saw former GWV Rebel Tedcastle outbody his opponent, mark and turn around to kick the sealer from a metre out.

Though that was at the 19 and a half minute mark of the final term, and though that was the final offensive play, there was another magic moment still to come. Waratah streamed forward at the 21 and a half minute mark with Arnold Kirby kicking deep from 50m. Though on target, it went to the goal line where the dangerous Anthony Munkara was against Saints defender Jesse Jesson.

Despite being out of position, Jesson lunged back with the flight to spoil the ball wide, and though Munkara went for the Hail Mary snap across his body, and it went out of bounds. The crucial spoil saved what would have been a certain goal. One last set shot from Kirby 45m out missed to the right in what would be the last score of the day.

Naturally the Saints were able to run down the rest of the clock with Landt moving into defence to help out, and another mark from Jesson in front of Munkara saved the day yet again. The siren sounded a few moments later with the green and gold in equal parts jubilation and disbelief that they had been able to pull off a remarkable win.

Landt finished with four goals for the Saints, with Korewha and Tedcastle both kicking three. The skipper was easily best-on in the comeback win, while Darcy Chirgwin also caught the eye of the coaches. For Waratah, the usual suspects in Dylan Collis, Jayden Magro and Brodie Carroll were all important.

AROUND THE GROUNDS

Incredibly, Darwin sits as the only undefeated side after two rounds thanks to a hard-fought 17-point win over Wanderers. The Buffaloes were inaccurate in the second half – kicking 3.6 – but had done enough through the first two quarters to set up the 12/17 (89) to 10.12 (72) win.

Jarrod Stokes kicked three goals in a best on ground performance, while Isaac Seden-Kurnoth also was crucial for the visitors. Unsurprisingly, Baxter Mensch was again prolific. Former GWV Rebel Aiden Domic slotted three goals for the losers, while Sam Davidson was named his side’s best.

After that forgettable 88-point thrashing at the hands of Waratah in Round 1, Southern Districts got on the board in the 2023/24 season with an 11-point victory over Tiwi Bombers at Norbuilt Oval. The Crocs nervously trailed at quarter time, but booted five goals to two in the second term to regain control and were able to hold sway from there to win, 12.9 (81) to 10.10 (70).

Beau Schwarze was best on ground in the win, booting three goals, while Roy George (two) and Jed Anderson were critical, as was ruck Matthew Dennis. For the Bombers, Brendan Kantilla kicked three majors, and Thaddeus Puautjimi was named best-on in defeat.

In the final game of the round, PINT levelled its win-loss record for 2023/24, defeating Nightcliff by 20 points to hand the Tigers their first loss of the season. In a low-scoring contest, the Green Ants took an early lead at quarter time and kept edging away before delivering, 9.8 (62) to 6.6 (42).

Rory Taggert kicked three goals in the win for PINT, with ex-Northern Knight Ethan Penrith and Brad Ryan among the prominent players on the day. Cameron Ilett kicked three goals for the Tigers, while Brett Kennedy (two) and Liam Buxton were also important.