Game 1
Wanderers 1.4 3.5 8.6 11.7 (73)
St Mary’s 5.1 9.1 12.3 13.5 (83)
GOALS
Wanderers: Liam Patrick 3, Kye Chapple 3, Patrick Fairhead, Davin Ferreira, Dominic Grant, Justin Maher, Braedon McLean
St Mary’s: Shaun Edwards 2, Jaden McGrath 2, Jack Musgrove 2, Jaryd Cachia, Josh Cheek, Michael Coombes, Francis Kinthari, Ryan McMurray, Keenan Smith-Thompson, Nick Yarran
GAME ANALYSIS
Saints co-captain Shannon Rioli and long-time serving member of the club, Josh Heath reached big milestones in Round 13 with Rioli celebrating 150 Premier League games and Heath with 100 of his own. The heavens were open over TIO Stadium for most of the first quarter, making the ball slippery to handle and heavy to kick. It was the Eagles who were first to goal through Kye Chapple but by the end of the quarter the Saints had five different goal scorers, including one to Mikey Coombes after the siren, and a 21-point lead. By half-time the Saints lead had extended to 32-points and nine different goal kickers, while Domonic “Junior” Grant was a shining light for Wanderers, making an impressive comeback after a long stint on the injury list. In the third quarter tensions spilled over with Coombes being placed on report three times and subsequently ejected from the game. Liam Patrick kicked three for the Eagles and was one of the experienced players to stand up for the Eagles, as a mini comeback started to brew when they went into the final change 21-points down. And when they went on to open the final term with two quick goals and be only nine-points down seven minutes in, the impossible started to look more likely. But up popped ex-AFL star Shaun Edwards for the Saints to steady the reigning Premiers and help them run out 10-point winners, celebrating the milestone men in style.
Game 2
Palmerston 1.2 4.2 7.5 9.5 (59)
Tiwi Bombers 8.1 11.6 14.9 21.13 (139)
GOALS
Palmerston: Keidan Holt-Tubbs 2, Lucas Munnich 2, Jonty Patrick 2, Aaron Lonergan, Steven Smith, Noel Collins
Tiwi Bombers: Austin Wonaeamirri 4, Dion Munkara 3, Gary Puruntatameri 2, Patrick Heenan 2, Harley Puruntatameri 2, Aaron Daniels, Kurt Dunn, Joshua Finch, Jack Munkara, Bradley Palipuaminni, Pio Puautjimi, Daniel Sturzaker, Cannis Tipuamantimirri
GAME ANALYSIS
The Tiwi Bombers started the match off to a flyer, kicking the opening eight goals of the game. Austin Woenaeamirri was lively in the forward line for Tiwi in the opening quarter and kicked two goals in quick succession. Palmerston were having their share of the ball in the first quarter, but struggled with the final kick inside the forward 50, which meant they had limited scoring opportunities. The Magpies found their way back into the match after quarter time, but struggled to narrow the margin. The first half of the game was played at a frenetic pace, but as the match wore on, both teams tired and struggled to find space. Palmerston stayed in the contest until the last ten minutes of the final quarter when Tiwi let loose again and scored the final five goals of the match.
Game 3
Darwin Buffaloes 0.0 1.1 3.2 5.2 (32)
Southern Districts 1.1 10.5 15.10 17.12 (114)
GOALS
Darwin Buffaloes: Aidan McAdam, Jarrod Stokes, Bradley Stokes, Jordon Briston, Ryan O’Sullivan
Southern Districts: Dylan Barry 3, Leroy Jetta 3, Ed Barlow 2, Rory O’Brien 2, Henry Armour, Keegan Dingo, Lionel Ogden, Mitchell Pemberton, Nikolaus Rokahr, Beau Schwarze, Sam Smith
GAME ANALYSIS
Following the unfortunate events of Round 12, this week’s Darwin Buffaloes vs Southern Districts game was always going to be a tough one, especially for the Buffs. A few key players were missing from both sides; namely Will Farrer, Tim Brook, Mark Jamar and Matt Rosier for the Crocs, and Joe Anderson, Darren Shillabeer, Cam Stokes and most noticeably, Tai Martin-Page for Darwin. The Crocs were celebrating 200 Premier League games for their stalwart, Keegan Dingo and if the opening quarter was anything to go by then it was going to be a tight content. Things started off fast and passionate, with the Crocs’ Leroy Jetta the only goalscorer for the term and only 38 seconds of extra time added to the clock. By half-time though, the Crocs had extended their lead to 58-points as they controlled the stoppages and had a spare man behind play chopping off any Buffaloes attempt. There were seven different goalscorers for Southern Districts in the second quarter, while Buffs co-captain Jarrod Stokes had his team’s only major. At three-quarter time, it was an ominous 80-point deficit staring the Buffs in the face, Jetta had progressed to three goals and the Crocs were looking unstoppable. The intensity died off a little in the final quarter except when milestone-man Dingo popped up from defence to kick a rare goal and the boys got around him.
Game 4
Waratah 3.1 3.4 6.5 12.6 (78)
Nightcliff 2.1 5.2 7.4 10.5 (65)
GOALS
Waratah: Sam Godden 3, Brock Orval 2, Ryan Bulluss 2, Sam Weddell 2, Justin Beugelaar, Henry Kerinaiua, Timothy Mosquito
Nightcliff: Julian Lockwood 3, Paul Scanlon 2, Matthew Bricknell, Troy Coates, Cameron Ilett, Devin Lines, Patrick White
GAME ANALYSIS
It was always going to be a fast game of football, with Nightcliff second and Waratah fourth on the ladder. Paul Scanlon kicked the first goal for the Tigers whilst last seasons’ Nichols Medalist Timothy Mosquito got the first for Tahs. The scores were even until Brock Orval kicked a monster goal to get ahead going into the quarter time break. The ball was rebounding between each 50, with both team’s defenders high pressure is making it difficult to get on the scoreboard. Devon Lines, four-time Eastside premiership player, was among Tigers goal kickers. After being goalless in the second quarter two unanswered goals were kicked from Waratah’s Sam Wendell and Sam Godden in the third quarter. Tigers responded with a goal from Julian Lockwood. Before Justin Beugelaar snapped his first goal of the game on the siren, bringing the margin back to five points. The final term was most exciting with five lead changes it was anyone’s game until Waratah broke away with three unanswered goals to seal their sixth win of the season.
