NIGHTCLIFF has locked in a top three berth after defeating fellow finals contender PINT by 18 points at DXC Arena on Saturday. The Tigers kicked away to a double chance with four goals to one in the fourth term after being dragged back to level pegging at three-quarter time.

>> SCROLL for the results, ladder and fixture

In what was the last home-and-away round of the Men’s Premier League season, Nightcliff needed to beat the fourth-place Greenants in order to secure third spot. The two teams tied in their last encounter, but the Tigers found an edge when it mattered most to earn a finals lifeline.

VFL-turned-SANFL export Riley Baldi was one of three Tigers to boot two goals in the low-scoring affair. Winning captain Brodie Filo matched that feat, as did Zackary Derksen, who came to life during the second quarter of his side’s 8.8 (56) to 5.8 (38) victory.

Along with Baldi, Mitchell Trewhella was impactful as ever through midfield, while Ryan Nyhuis held up the fort down back. Archie Stevens was PINT’s best in defeat, while Kyle Weightman nabbed two goals and Ethan Smith became the first Greenant to notch up 50 top flight games.

Nightcliff will now take on St Mary’s in Friday night’s qualifying final, as PINT moves on to host Waratah in Saturday’s knockout bout. The Tahs held on to fifth place with an emphatic 117-point win over Darwin, while potential challenger Tiwi fell short after going down to minor premier Southern Districts.

The Crocs will have a bye in the first week of finals having finished a game clear of the Green Machine in top spot. The Saints joined them in finishing the regular season on song, defeating wooden spooner Palmerston by 74 points having kept the Magpies goalless throughout the first half.

ROUND 18 RESULTS

Palmerston Magpies 2.2 (14) def. by St Mary’s 12.16 (88)
Southern Districts 13.10 (88) def. Tiwi Bombers 5.4 (34)
PINT 5.8 (38) def. by Nightcliff Tigers 8.8 (56)
Waratah 19.20 (134) def. Darwin Buffaloes 1.11 (17) 

FINAL NTFL MPL LADDER

1. Southern Districts | 13-2 | 190.0% | 54 points
2. St Mary’s | 12-3 | 208.3% | 50 points
3. Nightcliff | 11-3-1 | 155.4% | 48 points
4. PINT | 10-4-1 | 143.1% | 44 points
5. Waratah | 8-7 | 121.2% | 34 points
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6. Tiwi | 7-9 | 94.0% | 28 points
7. Darwin | 3-12 | 46.6% | 14 points
8. Wanderers | 2-13 | 39.7% | 10 points
9. Palmerston | 1-14 | 51.0% | 6 points

FINALS WEEK ONE FIXTURE

Qualifying Final:
St Mary’s (2nd) vs. Nightcliff (3rd)
Friday February 20, 6:45pm @ TIO Stadium

Elimination Final:
PINT (4th) vs. Waratah (5th)
Saturday February 21, 6:45pm @ TIO Stadium

Bye: Southern Districts (1st)