FIVE goals from Southern Districts vice-captain Beau Schwarze helped spearhead his side to a 37-point victory over Darwin to kick off Round 14 of the NTFL Men’s Premier League on Saturday. The Crocs played spoiler in a significant milestone game for Buffs skipper Jarrod Stokes.

>> SCROLL for the results, ladder and fixture

The long-time leader and 2017/18 Chaney Medallist equalled Darwin’s games record in his 239th appearance. His senior career began at 15 years of age back in 2010/11, and the Buffs brought their patented pressure game to mark the occasion against the competition’s ladder leader.

Having fallen 28 points behind come half time, the Buffs cut the margin with a trio of late goals on the bounce in term three. Although, torrential rain meant any further comeback would be unlikely, and it proved that way in the 11.11 (77) to 6.4 (40) result in Southern Districts’ favour.

Schwarze booted three of his five goals before half time, including two in a row as the Crocs established their steady lead during term two. Debutant Sydney-Jack Baker also got on the board during that patch, making his first MPL appearance alongside tall prospect Isaac Herold.

Former-AFL midfielder Jed Anderson was again instrumental through the guts, where Southern Districts’ bigger bodies won out. The likes of Matthew Johnston and Matt Shannon provided ample support, while Schwarze made their ascendancy count on the scoreboard.

Darwin’s best on the day was young gun Tashaun Wright, who snared two goals in the defeat. The Stokes boys – Jarrod and Bradley – were also front and centre for the Buffs, whose finals chances have all but officially faded. They currently sit in seventh, three games off the top five.

The Buffaloes will next take on Tiwi Bombers at Tracy Village Oval, while Southern Districts enjoy a bye. The Crocs occupy top spot with four home-and-away rounds left to play, but could see PINT momentarily take their throne come Round 15, pending the Greenants’ clash with St Mary’s.

Around the grounds, the Saints were the weekend’s big winners with a 128-point thumping of Wanderers. The Muk Muks could only manage a goal in either half as Luke Patterson bagged five of his own for the victors. Midfield duo Dylan Landt and Connor West (both three goals) dominated.

Waratah continues to claw onto fifth spot after accounting for Palmerston. In what ended up being a danger game played in stifling conditions – to say the least – the Warriors got up 6.7 (43) to 5.4 (34). Geelong College product Lucas Gray booted four of the victors’ six goals.

The result drove a further dagger into Tiwi’s finals hopes, as the Bombers fell to PINT by 37 points at DXC Arena. Ants midfielder Archie Stevens picked up where he left off to be named best afield, while Noah Spiteri bagged three majors to climb into equal-second on the league’s goalkicking charts. 

DARWIN BUFFALOES 1.1 | 2.2 | 6.4 | 6.4 (40)
SOUTHERN DISTRICTS 3.2 | 6.6 | 9.8 | 11.11 (77)

GOALS:
Buffs: T. Wright 2, B. Foster, N. Spry, J. Wesley, P. Wills
Crocs: B. Schwarze 5, W. Farrer 2, C. Giddings 2, S. Baker, M. Bidmade

BEST:
Buffs: T. Wright, B. Stokes, J. Stokes, D. McGregor, M. Parsons, L. Humphrey
Crocs: M. Johnston, J. Anderson, M. Bidmade, M. Shannon, B. Schwarze, J. Johnston

ROUND 14 RESULTS

Darwin Buffaloes 6.4 (40) def. by Southern Districts 11.11 (77)
Palmerston Magpies 5.4 (34) def. by Waratah 6.7 (43)
PINT 9.14 (68) def. Tiwi Bombers 4.7 (31)
Wanderers 2.3 (15) def. by St Mary’s 21.17 (143)

Bye: Nightcliff Tigers

NTFL MPL LADDER

1. Southern Districts | 10-2 | 158.0% | 42 points
2. PINT | 9-2-1 | 139.7% | 40 points
3. St Mary’s | 8-3 | 182.0% | 34 points
4. Nightcliff Tigers | 7-3-1 | 129.4% | 32 points
5. Waratah | 6-5 | 114.0% | 26 points
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6. Tiwi Bombers | 5-8 | 93.3% | 20 points
7. Darwin Buffaloes | 3-8 | 61.3% | 14 points
8. Wanderers | 2-10 | 47.8% | 10 points
9. Palmerston Magpies | 1-10 | 57.4% | 6 points

ROUND 15 FIXTURE

PINT vs. St Mary’s
Friday January 16, 8:00pm @ TIO Stadium

Tiwi Bombers vs. Darwin Buffaloes
Saturday January 17, 2:00pm @ Tracy Village Oval

Palmerston Magpies vs. Nightcliff Tigers
Saturday January 17, 6:00pm @ Cazalys Arena

Waratah vs. Wanderers
Saturday January 17, 6:30pm @ Gardens Oval

Bye: Southern Districts