{"id":208028,"date":"2026-01-09T11:44:24","date_gmt":"2026-01-09T01:44:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/central.rookieme.com\/afl\/?p=208028"},"modified":"2026-01-09T11:44:26","modified_gmt":"2026-01-09T01:44:26","slug":"preview-2025-26-ntfl-mpl-round-14","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/central.rookieme.com\/afl\/2026\/01\/09\/preview-2025-26-ntfl-mpl-round-14\/","title":{"rendered":"PREVIEW | 2025\/26 NTFL MPL: Round 14"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

THE TOP five Men’s Premier League teams will have their sights set on crucial percentage boosts in Round 14 of the Northern Territory Football League (NTFL) this weekend. Likely the closest contest of the weekend sees PINT take on Tiwi, with both sides searching for their first win of the new year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

>> SCROLL for the full fixture & ladder<\/strong>
>> ROUND 13: <\/strong>Recap<\/a> | Stats Report<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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MATCH OF THE ROUND<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

PINT (2nd) vs. Tiwi Bombers (6th)
Saturday January 10, 6:00pm @ DXC Arena<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This weekend’s featured fixture comes outside of the TIO Stadium triple-header. After going down in last week’s top-of-the-table clash, PINT will be keen to open its account for 2026 when it hosts Tiwi at DXC Arena. The Bombers sit two points out of the top five, so need to get cracking in their pursuit of finals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While still without star duo <\/strong>James Rowe<\/a> and Connor McDonald<\/strong>, the Greenants have bolstered their lineup for Round 14. VFL exports Archie Stevens<\/a> and Kyle Weightman <\/strong>slot in along with the likes of Thomas Schott<\/strong> and Adam Jorgensen<\/strong>. Also keep an eye out for James Boyer<\/strong>, who was outstanding in last week’s loss to Southern Districts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tiwi is always dangerous, no less with a forwardline consisting of young gun Anthony Munkara<\/a>, recent AFL retiree Willie Rioli<\/strong>, and captain Kim Kantilla<\/strong>. Add former Melbourne and Collingwood bigman Lynden Dunn<\/strong> to the list, and the Bombers should have plenty of firepower to scorch the Greenants.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Up the ground, established talent like utility Nigel Lockyer<\/a> and elite ball user Braedon McLean<\/strong> will provide ample opportunity. With Tiwi hunting a finals spot and PINT looking to get back on the winners list, this promises to be a hotly contested clash. Can the Bombers finally topple a top four opponent?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prediction: <\/strong>PINT by 15<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

TEAMS:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

PINT<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

B:<\/strong> 5. T. Schott – 28. E. Smith – 11. E. Chambers
HB:<\/strong> 26. K. Weightman – 17. M. Short – 7. N. Pendergast
C:<\/strong> 43. J. Greenwood – 29. J. Bear – 39. D. Campion
HF:<\/strong> 27. J. Barry – 22. C. Wilson – 43. B. Frauenfelder
F:<\/strong> 3. J. Trewin – 32. J. Griffin – 8. A. Stevens
FOL:<\/strong> 32. A. Jorgensen – 46. N. Spiteri – 13. J. Price<\/p>\n\n\n\n

INT:<\/strong> 14. B. Ryan, 15. P. Doyle, 26. L. Peters, 42. J. Moloney<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tiwi Bombers<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

B:<\/strong> 4. K. Dunn – 39. D. Tipuamantamurri – 12. A. Hams
HB:<\/strong> 25. K. Coleman – 44. T. Bedford – 13. J. Nagawali
C:<\/strong> 18. M. Dunn – 7. M. Thompson – 3. B. McLean
HF:<\/strong> 21. W. Rioli – 1. B. Kantilla – 5. K. Kantilla
F:<\/strong> 43. D. Kerinaiua – 20. L. Dunn – 9. A. Munkara
FOL:<\/strong> 17. K. Kantilla – 23. N. Lockyer – 28. J. Twycross<\/p>\n\n\n\n

INT:<\/strong> 2. S. Tipiloura, 10. T. Puautjimi, 14. T. Babui, 38. W. Munkara<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

AROUND THE GROUNDS<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Southern Districts kick off the round in a clash against Darwin, with the Crocs hoping to strengthen their hold on top spot. The Buffs\u2019 last win came in November, and things won\u2019t get any easier against a side featuring plenty of ex-AFL talent with a dominant ruck like Wyatt Ryan <\/strong>to feed them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Palmerston will hope to continue its turn of form after notching its first win of the season last week. The Magpies welcome Waratah back to the fold after the Warriors enjoyed an extended break thanks to the bye.\u00a0A win would likely give Waratah some breathing room in fifth spot.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the final game of the round, St Mary\u2019s will be out to claim a fifth win on the trot when it faces Wanderers. The Muk Muks went down to cellar dweller Palmerston last week, but can still play spoiler in the Saints\u2019 quest to claim a top two berth. They’re only a game-and-a-half adrift.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ROUND 14 FIXTURE<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Darwin Buffaloes (7th) vs. Southern Districts (1st)
Saturday January 10, 1:30pm @ TIO Stadium<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Palmerston Magpies (9th) vs. Waratah (5th)
Saturday January 10, 4:00pm @ TIO Stadium<\/p>\n\n\n\n

PINT (2nd) vs. Tiwi Bombers (6th)
Saturday January 10, 6:00pm @ DXC Arena<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Wanderers (8th) vs. St Mary\u2019s (4th)
Saturday January 10, 6:30pm @ TIO Stadium<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bye: <\/strong>Nightcliff Tigers<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

NTFL MPL LADDER<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

1. Southern Districts | 9-2 | 155.79% | 38 points
2. PINT | 8-2-1 | 135.76% | 36 points
3. Nightcliff Tigers | 7-3-1 | 129.38% | 32 points
4. St Mary\u2019s | 7-3 | 160.04% | 30 points
5. Waratah | 5-5 | 113.32% | 22 points
\u2014
6. Tiwi Bombers | 5-7 | 96.42% | 20 points
7. Darwin Buffaloes | 3-7 | 62.18% | 14 points
8. Wanderers | 2-9 | 53.65% | 10 points
9. Palmerston Magpies | 1-9 | 56.34% | 6 points<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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