SIX SNAGS from Waratah star Brodie Carroll helped his side produce a jaw-dropping 20-goal win over Palmerston Magpies in Round 3 of the NTFL Men’s Premier League competition over the weekend. While the Magpies could have been forgiven for being a little rusty after the additional week off, it was actually the opposite.

Palmerston booted three goals to one in the opening term as inaccuracy hurt Waratah and saw the home side trailing by 10 points at the first break. Coming off a convincing 36-point loss to Southern Districts last round, the ‘Tahs were looking for a response, and that came in the final three quarters.

Looking to win the ball in space and play keepings off against the Magpies, Waratah completely controlled possession and used it well. Though it was somewhat of the case in the first term with plus-19 disposals and plus-21 uncontested possessions counts, Waratah did not make the most of its scoreboard chances.

Instead, it was not until the red and whites piled on 13 unanswered goals in the middle two quarters, to lead by 31 points at half-time and 71 points by the final break. Everything completely broke down for Palmerston in the final term as Waratah slammed home 9.2 (56) to 1.1 (7) and wrapped up the contest, 23.11 (149) to 4.5 (29).

The stats are not pretty reading for Magpies fans, with Waratah having a disposal differential count of 106 in the second half, and 144 overall, as well as a mindboggling 97 more uncontested possessions after half-time (plus-136 overall). The ‘Tahs also had 57 more marks – 24 more inside forward 50 – and 32 more inside 50w, while somehow laying eight more tackles in a complete performance.

Carroll was unstoppable up forward, slotting half a dozen goals from 19 disposals, seven marks and three inside 50s, while Scott Carlin helped himself to a match-high 33 disposals, as well as six marks, four tackles, six inside 50s and two goals. Liam O’Dea and Joshua Saltalamacchia nailed three goals apiece in the win.

For the Magpies, Josh Koster tried to spark his side with two of his team’s four goals, while Cam Nyko produced a team-high 21 disposals, six marks, three clearances, five tackles, two inside 50s and four rebound 50s in defeat. Ryan Warfe was nominated as his side’s best by the coaches, while Ricky Monti impressed the Waratah mentors.

WARATAH 1.4 | 8.5 | 14.9 | 23.11 (149)
PALMERSTON 3.2 | 3.4 | 3.4 | 4.5 (29)

GOALS:
Waratah: B. Carroll 6, L. O’Dea 3, J. Saltalamacchia 3, S. Carlin 2, M. Kelly 2, T. Spence 2, T. Hutt, R. Irvin. C. Rich, T. Toma, L. Wilson
Palmerston: J. Koster 2, T. Antulov, S. Wilson

BEST:
Waratah: R. Monti, L. O’Dea, B. Carroll, S. Carlin. J. Bambury
Palmerston: R. Warfe, C. Nyko. R. Walsh, S. Wilson, N. Lampton

AROUND THE GROUNDS

In a similarly dominant performance, Southern Districts made light work of the struggling Wanderers to move to 2-0 on the season with a 14-goal shellacking at Norbuilt Oval. The home side piled on seven goals to two in the first term, and while Wanderers did manage to find some scoring rhythm in the second term with four goals, could not contain the Crocs who went on to kick no less than four goals per quarter and finish with a 21.18 (144) to 9.6 (60) victory.

Jed Anderson slotted four goals in a best on ground performance for the Crocs, with Jarrod Brander, Will Farrer and Daniel Murphy all kicking three apiece. Wyatt Ryan and Jack Palmer were named the winning side’s best. For Wanderers, Davin Ferreira and Jak Trewin were multiple goalkickers, while Lachlan Hourigan earned best afield honours.

Tiwi Bombers continued their reign at the top of the NTFL Men’s Premier League ladder with a convincing 11-goal triumph over PINT. Headlined by retired Richmond premiership player Marlion Pickett who has channelled his inner Shaun Grigg as the number one ruck at the Bombers, the visitors lead throughout the match and piled on 11 goals to three after quarter time in the 15.11 (101) to 5.5 (35) victory.

Pickett had 15 hitouts to go with 20 disposals, seven marks, six clearances, five tackles and five inside 50s in the victory, as the likes of Ashton Hams, Sam Darley and Braedon McLean all found plenty of the football. The goals were shared around amongst nine individual goalkickers with Malachi Walley booting a match-high three. Riley Mayne was judged best for the Ants, with Thomas Reeves also working hard.

In the only mildly close game of the round, Nightcliff fought off Darwin Buffaloes to win by 15 points on the Tigers’ home deck. Nightcliff only lead by a goal at the final break, but outscored the Buffaloes with 3.5 to 2.2 in the final term to secured an 11.19 (85) to 10.10 (70) victory.

Brett Kennedy had a day out in front of goal with five majors, while Stanley Cox kicked two. In an even team performance, Ben Vile and Zackary Derksen were named among the best for the winners. Lachlan East and Tom Simpson impressed again for the Buffaloes, while Will Irving converted three goals, one of four multiple goalkickers including Liam Holt-Fitz and skipper Jarrod Stokes.