DESPITE their respective two different starts to the NTFL Men’s Premier League season, Waratah has reminded fans the title is a wide open race, downing reigning premiers St Mary’s by 11 points at Gardens Oval last weekend. The ‘Tahs booted four goals to one in the opening term, and held the Saints at bay throughout the course of the match to go on to win, 10.14 (74) to 9.9 (63).

Entering the match, Waratah sat at 1-2 for the season, while the undefeated Saints had seen off two rivals in PINT and Northcliff. However it was clear from the get-go that the red and whites were up for the fight in front of home fans. They booted 4.5 to 1.1 in a strong opening term which saw the home side win 10 more clearances and inside 50s off the back of 14 more handball receives and groundball gets.

Being the quality side it is, St Mary’s managed to reduce those numbers in the second term, though Waratah still managed to be on top. The margin was reduced back to three straight goals, but still a gap between the two teams.

The third quarter saw the Saints start to get on top in the clearances (plus-four), while most of the areas were split across the board. Unfortunately for St Mary’s, Waratah still managed to extend its lead, putting it back out to 23 points after after three goals to two.

Then came the comeback. St Mary’s dug deep for one late charge, piling on three goals to one as Waratah missed a few opportunities in the last quarter to put the Saints away. However the lead the home side had built proved enough and Waratah came away with the 11-point win, handing St Mary’s its first loss of the season.

The Waratah midfield was superb with Scott Carlin (21 disposals, five clearances and six inside 50s) named best-on, while Ricky Monti (22 disposals, eight clearances, four inside 50s and a goal), Tanner Lovell (24 disposals, four marks, four clearances and three inside 50s) and Liam O’Dea (17 disposals, three clearances, five tackles, five inside 50s and two goals) were all very good.

Up forward, Brodie Carroll kicked a game-high three gaols from four scoring shots, with Maxirrick Rogers the other multiple goalkicker with two. Daniel O’Dwyer was important for the ‘Tahs in defence, collecting nine rebound 50s from 15 disposals.

For St Mary’s Jacob Long had a game-high 27 disposals, as well as 15 rebound 50s working hard in the back 50, while Dylan Landt (25 disposals, five clearances, eight inside 50s, four rebound 50s and a goal) was huge once again. Inside 50, Jackson Calder and Joel Garner both converted two goals apiece in the loss.

WARATAH 4.5 | 6.8 | 9.11 | 10.14 (74)
ST MARY’S 1.1 | 4.2 | 6.6 | 9.9 (63)

GOALS:
Waratah: B. Carroll 3, L. O’Dea 2, M. Rogers 2, N. Hoare, M. Kelly, R. Monti
St Mary’s: J. Calder 2, J. Garner 2, D. Landt, J. Landt, M. Musgrove, L. O’Brien, X. Vallejo

BEST:
Waratah: S. Carlin. L. O’Dea, R. Irvin, D. O’Dwyer, R. Monti
St Mary’s: J. Garner, W. Robinson, D. Landt, J. Landt, K. Parnell

AROUND THE GROUNDS

Southern Districts became the sole undefeated side after rolling PINT at Marrara by 10 points, 11.8 (74) to 9.10 (64). The Crocs had a dominant five goals to one second term that proved the difference, and though the Ants roared to life in the second half, fell short of a comeback despite six goals to two in the half.

Will Sexton was named best on ground after 26 disposals, six marks, three inside 50s and a gaol, while Steven Motlop was huge in defence, racking up 25 disposals, nine marks and 10 rebound 50s. Ants’ skipper Thomas Schott had the ball on a string with 28 disposals, six marks, nine clearances and six inside 50s in defeat.

Tiwi Bombers moved back up to second spot with a well fought out victory over Darwin Buffaloes. The Bombers had a slow start to trail by 20 points at quarter time, but turned that around with a six goals to one second term to take a 12-point lead into the main break. They went on with it from there, kicking six goals to four in the second half and winning, 14.7 (91) to 10.7 (67).

Braedon McLean (23 disposals, eight marks and five rebound 50s) and Marlion Pickett (23 disposals, seven marks, seven clearances and five inside 50s) were both crucial, while Tom Simpson‘s wonderful NTFL season rolled on despite the loss, picking up 28 disposals, nine marks, five inside 50s and kicking a goal for Darwin.

In the other match, Wanderers claimed their first win over the season with a 32-point victory over Palmerston Magpies. Both sides sit at 1-2 after four rounds with a bye each already in the books, following Wanderers’ 14.12 (96) to 9.10 (64) triumph.

There were some stat-stuffing performances from ball-winner Jaxon East (36 disposals, nine marks, 10 clearances and nine inside 50s) and Cody Leggett (29 disposals, eight marks, five inside 50s and a goal) with the pair standouts in the win, while Cam Nyko (32 disposals, six marks, five clearances, five inside 50s and four rebound 50s) did his best for the Magpies.