Game 1
Wanderers 2.2 7.3 12.5 13.7 (85)
St Mary’s 2.7 6.9 9.9 13.11 (89)
GOALS
Wanderers: Hugo Drogemuller 3, Davin Ferreira 2, Braedon McLean 2, Thomas Motlop 2, Liam Patrick 2, Keelan Fejo, Neil Vea Vea
St Mary’s: Raphael Clarke 3, Francis Kinthari 2, Ryan Smith 2, Henry Labastida, Mathias Liddy, Nick Mende, Jack Musgrove, Shannon Rioli, Nick Yarran
GAME ANALYSIS
It was a game of sirens for these two clubs when the first grand final re-match was played under the bright lights of TIO Stadium. The Wanderers kicked the first two goals through Thomas Motlop and Liam Patrick before Nick Yarran gave the Saints their first major at the 14-minute mark. At the first quarter, it was a Mathias Liddy bomb after the siren from outside 50 to give the Saints the lead. The second term was a seesawing affair and Wanderers big man, Hugo Drogemuller made a welcome return with his first two goals for the game. Just on the siren for half time Wadeye prospect Francis Kinthari kicked a goal for the two teams to draw level at 45 apiece. The Saints kicked the first two of the third before the Eagles went on a run of five. Another kick just before the siren to Raph Clarke kept the reigning premiers in touch, only 14 points behind. The game could’ve gone either way in the final term but a Josh Heath mark and goal at the 13-minute mark had the Saints in front. And with only five points in it and the final siren blown, Sam Arthur had a kick that could’ve stolen the game for the Wanderers. But it wasn’t to be, his kick from near the 50 pushing left and the Saints the victors.
Game 2
Tiwi Bombers 5.3 11.7 17.15 23.18 (156)
Palmerston 2.4 7.4 9.7 14.10 (94)
GOALS
Tiwi Bombers: Gary Puruntatameri 4, Ross Tungatalum 4, Dionysuis Munkara 3, Adam Tipungwuti 2, Austin Wonaeamerri 2, Patrick Heenan 2, Michael Dunn, Donald Mungatopi, Jack Munkara, Bradley Palipuaminni, Rupert Pupungamirri, Jason Puruntatmeri
Palmerston: Des Ugle 6, Justin Cooper, Alwyn Davey, Mishai Perry, Gibson Turner
GAME ANALYSIS
Palmerston travelled over to the Tiwi Islands for their first day game of the season and were met by hot conditions. Still in the game at half time trailing by four goals, the Magpies were outplayed in the third quarter with the margin blowing out to 56 points. Des Ugle was a shining light for the Magpies kicking six goals while Gary Puruntatmeri and Ross Tungatalum both dazzled in front of goal for the Bombers kicking four apiece.
Game 3
Nightcliff 0.3 2.4 5.7 7.9 (51)
Waratah 5.2 6.4 7.5 12.6 (78)
GOALS
Nightcliff: Patrick White 2, Ryan Althouse Cooper, Matthew Bicknell Jonathan Peris, Elliott Powell
Waratah: Justin Beugelaar 3, Steven Stroobanks 3, Matthew Blake, Brodie Carrol, Andre Ellis, Henry Kerinaiua, Jare Krinjic, Thomas Maddocks
GAME ANALYSIS
Waratah came out firing, kicking five goals to zero in the first term. Tahs managed to get their lead before a huge downpour of rain in the second quarter, making scoring increasingly difficult. The game escalated in the third quarter as Tigers managed to narrow the margin to four points before Waratah came back with a goal right before the three-quarter time siren. By kicking the first three goals of the second half, Waratah soon diminished any chance of Nightcliff coming. Steven Stroobanks and Justin Beugelaar formed a potent forward line for Waratah, as they kicked six goals between them.
Game 4
Southern Districts 3.1 8.8 13.10 19.17 (131)
Darwin Buffaloes 1.2 2.3 2.4 2.6 (18)
GOALS
Southern Districts: William Farrer 8, Keegan Dingo 3, Josiah Farrer 3, Beau Schwarze 2, Callum Currie, Rory O'Brien, Bradley Vallance
Darwin Buffaloes: Hassan Ahmat-Watkins, Campbell Wurramarba
GAME ANALYSIS
The early minutes of the game looked like we would have a close encounter on our hands, with the Buffs jumping out to a lead thanks to a goal from Hassan Ahmat-Watkins. But the Crocs got firing about 10 minutes in and Keegan Dingo finished the opening term with two. From there on it was all Southern Districts, keeping the Buffaloes to one single goal for the rest of the game, though it was a great snap around the body to Campbell Warramarba. Will Farrer marked everything and got his first three goals in the second quarter before finishing the game with eight and four behinds. It could’ve easily been more had he chosen to be more selfish. He was fed all day by great ground work and first use of the ball in ruck contests that Mark Jamar contested.
