Based on forecasts from the Bureau of Meteorology for an easing wind and rain over the next 48 hours, and after consultation with all NTFL clubs, AFLNT is pleased to announce that a full round of NTFL football will take place as planned this weekend for all senior and junior grades.
"Taking into account the record amount of rainfall the ovals have absorbed over the last few days particularly at Marrara, the Ovals at TIO stadium have been passed fit for football this weekend.
"The Gardens Ovals have also come through ok as well. We inspected all the groundsat lunchtime today and as we have had a break from the rain today we will also got the opportunity to mow the grass to the required level this afternoon on all three.
"Obviously with Cyclone Carlos threatening yesterday we had planned for a cancellation of this weekends football however the forecast from the Bureau is positive with an easing of the wind and rain expected, so we are delighted that after close consultation with our clubs we can now go ahead with our full weekend schedule."
AFLNT CEO Tony Frawley believes that a full round of football is good for Darwin after the tough few days the city has endured.
"As the city gets back to normal after a tough few days we are very pleased that football will go ahead as planned. Round 18 is a crucial one for many clubs as it will determine their ladder position as finals approaches and a cancellation would have impacted both the clubs and their fans.
"We haven’t had much luck with the weather this year which has resulted in games having to be rescheduled and moved to alternate venues so we are extremely pleased that despite the torrential rain and damaging winds experienced this weekthe NTFL is going ahead with no disruption whatsoever and if the Bureau of Meteorology forecast is correct all games will be playedin normal wet season footy conditions."
According to AFLNT Football Operations Manager Anthony Venes, the three main ovals being used this weekend have weathered the storm surprisingly well.
FRIDAY 18 FEBRUARY 2011
TIO Stadium 1
TIO Stadium 2
SATURDAY 19 FEBRUARY 2011
TIO Stadium 1
TIO Stadium 2
Gardens Oval (AFLNT Ground Manager)
Gardens Oval 2 (AFLNT Ground Manager)
PLEASE NOTE: LEAGUE TEAMS HAVE PRIORITY ACCESS TO CHANGEROOMS
SUNDAY 20 FEBRUARY 2011
TIO Stadium 2
Duty Club: Wanderers
BYE CLUB: Tracy Village (Div 1), Jabiru (Div 2), St Marys (Women), Darwin (14 Gunderson, 16 Hickman), Nightcliff (14 Lew Fatt),
7.30 pm |
Premier L |
St Marys (2) |
V |
Palmerston (1) |
6.00 pm |
Div 1 |
St Marys (2) |
V |
Banks (3) |
8.00 pm |
Div 2 |
Southern Districts (4) |
V |
Banks (3) |
2.30 pm |
Premier L |
Nightcliff (2) |
V |
Wanderers (1) |
5.00 pm |
Premier L |
Darwin (1) |
V |
Waratah (2) |
7.30 pm |
Premier L |
Southern Districts (2) |
V |
Tiwi Bombers (1) |
8.00 am |
14 Atkinson Div 3 |
Palmerston (1) |
V |
St Marys (2) |
9.30 am |
14 Gunderson Div 1 |
Palmerston (1) |
V |
St Marys (2) |
11.00 am |
14 Gunderson Div 1 |
Southern Districts (4) |
V |
Nightcliff (3) |
12.30pm |
Div 1 |
Nightcliff (3) |
V |
Waratah(4) |
2.30pm |
Women |
Waratah (4) |
V |
Palmerston (3) |
4.15pm |
Div 1 |
Darwin (3) |
V |
Wanderers (4) |
6.15pm |
Div 1 |
University (3) |
V |
Southern Districts (4) |
8.15pm |
Div 2 |
University (3) |
V |
Casino Sharks (4) |
8.00am |
14 Atkinson Div 3 |
Nightcliff (1) |
V |
Sthn Districts Crocs (2) |
9.30 am |
14 Atkinson Div 3 |
Tracy Village (1) |
V |
Southern Districts (2) |
11.00 am |
16 Hickman Div 1 |
Southern Districts (2) |
V |
St Marys (1) |
12.30 pm |
Div 1 |
PINT (2) |
V |
Palmerston (1) |
2.30pm |
Women |
Darwin (2) |
V |
Nightcliff (1) |
4.15pm |
Div 2 |
PINT (2) |
V |
Olympic (1) |
8.30 am |
14 Lew Fatt Div 2 |
Waratah (1) |
V |
Southern Districts (2) |
10.00am |
16 Leverence Div 2 |
Palmerston (1) |
V |
Southern Districts (2) |
11.30am |
16 Hickman Div 1 |
Palmerston (1) |
V |
Nightcliff (2) |
1.00pm |
Div 2 |
Tracy Village (2) |
V |
Waratah (1) |
3.00 pm |
Under 18 |
Big River Hawks (2) |
V |
Southern Districts (1) |
10.00am |
14 Lew Fatt Div 2 |
Wanderers (1) |
V |
Palmerston (2) |
11.30am |
16 Hickman Div 1 |
Wanderers (1) |
V |
Waratah (2) |
1.00pm |
16 Leverence Div 2 |
St Marys (4) |
V |
Nightcliff (3) |
2.30pm |
Under 18 |
St Marys (4) |
V |
Palmerston (3) |
4.15pm |
Under 18 |
Wanderers (1) |
V |
Nightcliff (2) |
Ends...
AFLNT Media Contact – Brad Stewart 0437 962 161
Round 18 of the TIO NTFL Season still has plenty of interest for spectators and clubs gearing up for the finals, with Southern Districts and the Tiwi Bombers playing for a double chance and first crack at Wanderers in the Qualifying Final.
Tiwi, currently sitting in third place on 40 points with Southern Districts on 38 after a handy two points from a draw with Darwin in round three which sets up an exciting contest at 7:30pm at TIO Stadium on Saturday night.
In other matches...
The Friday night clash between St Marys and Palmerston will not be a one sided affair as the Mapgies will be keen to atone for their loss last week against Nightcliff and to end the season on a high, while the St Marys juggernaut will be keen to roll on into yet another finals series and a shot at their fourth consecutive TIO NTFL Premiership.
The early game between the Nightcliff and Wanderers at 2:30pm will be another tough contest as the Tigers are finishing the season strong, and will push the Eagles who will be looking to get into some much needed form leading into the finals.
Waratah and Darwin Buffaloes take to field at 5:00pm, the young and vastly improved Buffaloes will be keen to end the season on a positive note under new coaches Damian Zammit and Darryl White, while Waratah will be another side looking to regain some momentum after last weeks loss to the Crocs.
AFLNT also recognises that this Saturday the 19th of February is the 59th Anniversary of the Bombing of Darwin and a feature will be inserted into this week’s INSIGHT magazine about the historic event and how it shaped the Territory.