A MASSIVE win over their nearest rival on the Northern Territory Football League (NTFL) ladder not only officially secured Waratah’s place in the finals series with three rounds to go, but kept the ‘Tahs in the hunt for a double chance.

In one of a couple of huge thrashings across Round 15, Waratah piled on 36 scoring shots to six against a hapless Wanderers at Gardens Oval, storming to a 17.19 (121) to 4.2 (26) victory and showing the class gap between fifth and sixth on the ladder.

Needing a victory to bounce back from consecutive losses, Waratah put the foot down early and raced out to a 40-point quarter time lead. By half-time the game was in the bag as the ‘Tahs lead 11.10 to 2.2. Though Wanderers buckled down in the third term to stem the bleeding, it was too little, too late, as Waratah found the way through again in the last, falling just short of the triple-digit win.

In the end, it was an even team performance in front of goal as nine different players shared around 17 goals, headlined by Toby Hutt (three majors). Scott Carlin and Brodie Carroll showed their experience with a couple of majors, as did Tanner Lovell who was named best on ground in the victory.

The likes of Joel Hillis and Clay Shadforth also stood out in what was as comprehensive of a victory as there could be between the mid-table sides. Wanderers only kicked the four goals, with Austin Smith slotting one and being named among the best. Riley Calvene and Mitchel Taylor were also impressive in what was a tough loss.

WANDERERS 0.1 | 2.2 | 3.2 | 4.2 (26)
WARATAH 6.5 | 11.10 | 13.14 | 17.19 (121)

GOALS:
Wanderers: L. Hourigan, A. Smith, D. Thompson, J. Trewin
Waratah: T. Hutt 3, S. Carlin 2, B. Carroll 2, F. Holland-Dean 2, M. Kelly 2, T. Lovell 2, L. O’Dea 2, J. Hillis, R. Irvin

BEST:
Wanderers: R. Calvene, A. Smith, M. Taylor, J. Motlop, Z. Fuller
Waratah: T. Lovell, T. Hutt, J. Hillis, C. Shadforth, S. Carlin

AROUND THE GROUNDS

Incredibly the 95-point result was not the biggest shellacking of Round 15, as St Mary’s obliterated Darwin Buffaloes to the tune of 114 points. Jackson Calder slammed home a ridiculous 11 goals in the Saints’ 20.19 (139) to 3.7 (25) win, with Jack Landt (three) and Kobe Hodges (two) the other multiple goalkickers as the Saints keep ahead of the chasing mid-table sides in third.

Tiwi Bombers held onto the coveted second spot with a 46-point victory over Palmerston Magpies at Cazalys Arena. The Bombers lead all day and kicked away in the second half with seven goals to three to secure the 13.10 (88) to 6.6 (42) victory. Skipper Kim Kantilla booted five goals, while Edward Darcy slotted three.

Finally, top of the table Southern Districts fended off Nightcliff by 28 points to essentially secure top spot. Barring a complete collapse where Tiwi makes up 113 per cent, the Crocs are set for a week off once the season is done and dusted. The win sent Nightcliff from second to fourth, showing just how tight the race for the double chance is this season. Steven Motlop kicked four goals and Jarrod Brander three, while fellow ex-AFL talent Jed Anderson was named best on ground.