AFTER previewing the Northern Territory Football League (NTFL) Women’s Premier League yesterday, we take a look at the NTFL Men’s Premier League ahead of the season kicking off tonight.

Darwin Buffaloes

Last year: Grand Finalists

Fought tooth-and-nail against Southern Districts, falling an agonising one-point short of a premiership. After making up the numbers in 2016/17 by achieving a finals berth, the Buffaloes showed the right foundations were in place with a terrific season last season. A lot is spoken about how players perform in Grand Finals, and Jarrod Spokes earned praise for his three-goal effort in the Buffaloes’ loss. Jalen Clarke also booted three that day, while Joe Anderson and Timothy Eldridge were also among the best for the losing side.

Round 1: vs. Southern Districts – TIO Stadium, Saturday 7.30pm.

Nightcliff

Last year: Preliminary Final

Knocked out the reigning premiers, St Marys by four goals in the semi-final, but after finishing top two will rue a couple of losses to Darwin in the finals series. Identical to the previous season where the Tigers finished second on the table, but lost to Wanderers twice to just miss out on the decider. They might be disappointed not to have made the final game for the second year running, but there were still some outstanding performers in the season. Cameron Ilett booted 30 goals and was named in the best nine times from 20 matches, while Julian Lockwood and Patrick White were named in the best seven times, booting a combined 50 goals between them. Nathan Brown was also impressive, named in the best nine times from his 20 matches.

Round 1: vs. St Marys – TIO Stadium, Saturday 5pm.

FB: 19. Julian Lockwood – 27. Blake Penny – 21. Caleb Walker
HB: 10. Cameron Illet – 17. Farron James – 2. Gavin Greenoff
C: 31. Hugo Drogemuller – 7. Jess Budarick – 12. Joel Budarick
HF: 3. Jonathan Peris – 30. Jonathon Miles – 22. Josh Carmichael
F: 5. Kaine Riley – 15. Kayle Kossack – 6. Liam Holt-Fitz
R: 4. Mathew Bricknell – 14. Nathan Brown – 28. Patrick Kossack
INT: 11. Phillip Wills – 20. Trent Melville – 24. Tyson Kidney – 9. Wade Derksen – 40. Huw Spring – 1. Ryan Mu – 44. Louis Kossack – 41. Max Stretton – 42. Nick Green – 43. Theo Kortesis – 45. Nathan Russell – 46. Nick Eades

Palmerston

Last year: Wooden spoon

It has been a lean couple of years for Palmerston, who finished bottom of the table last season after a seventh placed finish in 2016/17. Had a monumental 10-point win over Darwin in Round 4 at TIO Stadium, but it would prove to be the sole celebration for the year, with just one draw – against Waratah the only other points. AFL Draft hopeful, Rodney Baird shone in an otherwise disappointing season for the Magpies, named among the best on 12 occasions from his 17 matches. Former Bomber, Alwyn Davey booted 12 goals in 16 games and was named in the best five times, while Ezekiel Frank was also impressive. Former Dee, Aaron Davey also played six matches, booting four goals and was named in the best twice.

Round 1: vs. Waratah – Asbuild Oval, Friday, 7pm.

FB: 9. Rodney Baird – 17. Ezekiel Frank – 21. Jamie Damaso
HB: 6. Jacon Lampton – 28. Nigel Jnr Lockyer – 36. Aaron Davey
C: 22. Clarence Baird – 4. Mitch Bunworth – 11. Lochlan Dhurrkay
HF: 1. Ralph Dhamarrandji – 14. Sam Autio – 5. Sam Talbot
F: 10. Aaron Lonergan – 24. Kyle Emery – 48. Jonty Patrick
R: 29. Matthew Dennis – 12. James Rhodes – 8. Nathan Deans
INT: 3. Alwyn Davey – 15. Bailey Cripps – 19. David McCorkill – 18. Hayden Brown – 45. Jordan Thompson – 32. Kendall Garling – 35. Kris Brown – 2. Misha Jnr Perry – 7. Noel Collins – 16. Riley Judd – 20. Ryan Warfe – 26. Sandy Brock

St Marys

Last year: Semi-Final

After winning its 32nd premiership in season 2016/17, St Marys dropped back to the pack. The Saints made the semi-final after knocking off Tiwi Bombers, but were defeated by Nightcliff by 24 points. Peter Macfarlane was deadly in front of goals last season, piling on 45 majors in just 11 games, with at least two goals in every game, and seven-goal hauls against Palmerston and Darwin Buffaloes. Jack Musgrove was also impressive with 24 goals from 13 games, while former Gippsland Power hard nut, Nathaniel Paredes booted 17 goals from 14 games, and was named in the best nine times. Ryan Smith impressed the coaches enough to be named in the best 11 times from 17 matches, while former Blue, Jarryd Cachia was a key inclusion for the Saints, named in the best seven times from eight games.

Round 1: vs. Nightcliff – TIO Stadium, Saturday 5pm.

Southern Districts

Last year: Premiers

The second newest NTFL club won its third premiership last season with a remarkable one-point victory over Darwin Buffaloes. The Crocs joined Nightcliff and Palmerston on three premierships a piece, and will hope to move one clear of them if they can achieve back-to-back flags. In terms of top players last season, William Farrer was the key up forward with 55 goals from 16 games, which included an eight-goal haul against Darwin Buffaloes at TIO Stadium. Former Essendon player, Leroy Jetta booted 25 goals from 11 games, while Beau Schwarze finished the season with 18 majors. Ed Barlow was named in the Crocs’ best seven times, one more than Charles McAdam.

Round 1: vs. Darwin Buffaloes – TIO Stadium, Saturday 7.30pm.

Tiwi Bombers

Last year: Elimination final

A terrific achievement to make the finals last season after a one-win wooden spoon effort in 2016/17, the Bombers were outclassed by reigning premiers St Mary’s in the elimination final, but showed serious improvement in season 2017/18. Ross Tungatalum booted two goals in the elimination finals loss, while forward, Simon Munkara was named among the best along with Jason and Gary Puruntatameri. The newest club in the competition will be looking to build on their season last year with another strong showing in 2018/19.

Round 1: vs. Wanderers – TIO Stadium, Saturday 2.30pm.

Wanderers

Last year: Seventh

Finished the year with five wins and a draw to clearly sit above Palmerston, but not quite good enough for finals. After going down in the decider to St Mary’s in 2016/17, the Eagles would hope they can bounce back from last season to be back in contention in 2018/19. Of the top performers last season for the Eagles, Kyle Chapple booted 16 goals in seven games, while Davin Ferreira and Thomas Motlop both finished the season with 14 majors. Former Port Adelaide listed player, Brett Eddy and former Gold Coast Suns player, Liam Patrick were also among those running out for the Eagles last year.

Round 1: vs. Tiwi Bombers – TIO Stadium, Saturday 2.30pm.

Waratah

Last year: Sixth

Just missed out on finals for a second consecutive year in 2017/18 after a sixth placed finish, four points shy of finalists, Tiwi Bombers. Thereabouts last season, the Warriors will be keen to take the next step and play finals football in 2018/19. The Warriors shared around their goals last season, with Kim Kantilla leading the way with 24 from 14 games, while Brock Orval and former Melbourne forward, Michael Newton booting 16 majors. Newton particularly impressed, having played just four games to reach the total. Orval, James Wray, Sam Weddell and Timothy Mosquito were all named among the Warriors best five times.

Round 1: vs. Palmerston – Asbuild Oval, Friday, 7pm.