Game 1
Nightcliff 6.3 12.9 17.10 22.17 (149)
Tiwi Bombers 1.0 3.2 6.5 9.5 (59)
GOALS
Nightcliff: Cameron Ilett 5, John Butcher 4, Liam Holt Fitz 4, Hugo Drogemuller 2, Michael Hagan, Matthew Bricknell, Shaun Wilson, Phillip Wills, Danial Bowles, Kokwam Niki, Trent Melville
Tiwi Bombers: Austin Wonaeamirri 5, Ross Tungatalum 2, Dion Munkara
GAME ANALYSIS
It was a pretty one sided game with Nightcliff dominating from the first siren, the Bombers just couldn't seem to find their mojo so they face Southern Districts in a must win match if they want to keep their grand final hopes alive.
Q1
Hugo Drogemuller got the Tigers off to the perfect start kicking a goal which dropped into the goal square after Michael Hagan received a free kick on the 50 for a high tackle. Cam Ilett was able to kick the Tigers second after some great work by Phillip Wills to kick the ball to the top of the square from the boundary line. Big John Butcher kicked the Tigers third in a row with a set shot from 50 out and the Tigers were out to a great start, Tiwi yet to score. Michael Hagan then ran into goal for an exciting goal dodging and weaving but it was deemed he ran too far and no score was recorded. Tiwi star Ross Tungatalum finally brought the crowd alive taking a long run through the middle with at least four bounces and put it through for their first. Koko Niki and Liam Holt-Fitz continued the yellow and black goal kicking spree with two more and the margin was out to 27 points. Butcher kicked his second when he was left unattended in the goal square and Hol-Fitz was able to deliver to him on the chest unopposed.
Q2
Tigers started well again having a lot of the ball inside their 50 however Melville, Bowles and Bricknell all missed shots on goal. Drogemuller was able to intercept the Tiwi run out of defence with a great mark and then delivered a spearing kick into Cam Ilett who went back and didn’t miss. Ilett kicked another within a minute and the margin had blown out to 49 points eight minutes into the second quarter. Tiwi’s Simon Munkara got the ball into the middle and delivered to his brother Dion who managed to swing around a kick a great goal from the 50 for the Bomber’s second goal. Shaun Wilson continued his outstanding form from the first quarter and worked well with Hugo Drogemuller for another goal. Drogemuller then combined with Holt-Fitz for his second goal and the Tigers fans were up and about. Tiwi couldn’t seem to get their hands on it while the Tigers seemed to be everywhere led by Ilett and Brodie Filo. Big Liam Woodcock-Nowlan managed to step around his Tiger opponent to get it to last week’s hero Aussie Wonaeamirri who went back and kicked a perfect goal for the Bomber’s third. But Michael Hagan answered back with a brilliant snap and celebrated hard. Holt-Fitz kicked his third after good hands by Butcher and the Tigers took a massive 61 point lead into the main break.
Q3
The Bombers started much better in the third quarter getting the ball straight into their forward line. Aussie Wonaeamirri kicked his second just minutes in to try and get his team going but John Butcher answered back with his third goal almost immediately. Ross Tungatalum then took two players on and ran around them to kick a goal. But it didn’t take long for Ilett to work the ball back into Matty Bricknell and then John Bucher who kicked two more for the Tigers. Pio Puautijimi worked the ball well into Wonaeamirri who kicked his third and then Daniel Bowles kicked a ripper snap on his left from the St Mary’s clubhouse pocket to take the Tigers to a 64 point lead. Dynamic Liam Holt-Fitz kicked his fourth. A much better quarter by Tiwi moving the ball more efficiently however they didn’t capitalise on goals when they had the chance however Michael Dunn and Jason Puruntatameri worked the ball well out of defence. But it’s still all yellow and black and they take a 71 point lead into the final change.
Q4
Wonaeamirri kicked the first goal of the quarter and his fourth for him game in the opening 90 seconds. The Tigers goals rolled on however they also missed quite a few having almost 40 scoring shots for the game. Wonaeamirri kicked goal number five moments later after Simon Munkara passed to him and Dion Munkara scored a major. Shaun Wilson was outstanding all game and Cam Ilett put the icing on the cake with two more goals to take his tally to five. Nathan Brown had a great captains game and he leads his Tigers into their first grand final since they lost – ironically to the Tiwi Bombers - in 2011/12 and they will enjoy next week off. The Bombers will regroup to play the winner of tonight’s Southern Districts vs Waratah game.
Game 2
Southern Districts 4.2 5.2 11.6 13.11 (89)
Waratah 2.0 4.5 5.5 6.10 (49)
GOALS
Southern Districts: Dylan McLachlan 2, Jess Koopman 2, Michael Mummery 2, Ed Barlow, Jared Brennan, Beau Schwarze, Will Farrer, Matthew Rosier, Clinton Gallio
Waratah: Kim Kantilla, Sam Godden, Henry Kerinaiua, Thomas Toma, Zach Westerberg, Samuel Weddell
GAME ANALYSIS
By the end of the Semi Final, the Tahs season came to an end while the Crocs live to fight another day and they will take on the Tiwi Bombers next weekend to have their shot at a grand final spot and defend their premiership.
Q1
Ed Barlow got the Crocs off to a great start kicking the opening goal followed by Clint Gallio who was super excited and gave the double fist pump celebration. Tahs got one back through Sam Godden who ran into goal followed by Kim Kantilla with another for the red and white. Dylan McLachlan provided great run through the middle for Crocs combining with Seb Guilhaus and Rory O'Brien and worked the ball into Shane Thorne for the Crocs third goal. Michael Mummery then kicked an amazing goal from the boundary line pocket taking the margin out to 14 points. Shem Tatupu moved into the ruck and got the ball into Tahs fifty but the Crocs defence brought it out through Bowden and Vallance. Matty Rosier looked to go down with an injury just before the siren so we’ll keep an eye on that and the Crocs take a 14 point lead into the first break.
Q2
It took six minutes for the first goal was scored by Henry Kerinaiua from Waratah after some hard fought play. Good news for Crocs fans with Matty Rosier getting stitches in his head but no serious injuries so we should see him back on the ground soon. Cameron Barrett had a set shot but it hit the post and then Brodie Carroll ran into goal but missed to the right. Tahs could rue those missed shots later in the game. The momentum then swung Crocs way and Ed Barlow kicked his second. Matthew Blake goaled for Tahs and Thomas Toma kicked Tahs second poster and they trailed despite having more scoring shots than Crocs. Brodie Carroll and Clinton Gallio were having a great battle of the midfielders. Dylan McLachlan had a shot on goal after the siren from just inside 50 on the boundary but it fell short and the Crocs took a three point lead into the main break.
Q3
An outstanding quarter by the Crocs who got off a great start with Dylan McLachlan goaling after Jess Koopman and Dean Staunton got the ball out of defence to him. Shane Thorne kicked his second after Clinton Gallio kicked the ball into Crocs 50 metre arc. Ed Barlow has been fantastic all game and got the ball into Jared Brennan who bombed into the forward line and Jess Koopman kicked an unbelievable snap goal from the boundary line for the Crocs third in a row. Dylan McLachlan then kicked his second for the quarter but the highlight was Jared Brennan’s one step snap from the grandstand pocket. Josiah Farrer came into the game but Barlow has completely dominated around the ground. Sam Godden had a shot on goal but missed and the Crocs worked it out once again. Michael Mummery kicked his second from right in front of goal and the margin blew out to 35 points to the Crocs.
Q4
Tom Toma kicked an early goal for for Tahs to give them some hope while the Crocs managed to pile on four behinds until Will Farrer was able to goal at the fourteen-minute mark. Brad Vallance then worked the ball into the forward line for Crocs and Beau Schwarze was able to pounce on a loose ball and snap a goal. Ed Barlow was outstanding all game for Crocs along with Sean Martin in defence while Westerberg and Tatupu tried all game for the red and white. Tahs will rue missing targets tonight as their season comes to an end while the Crocs live to fight another day and they will take on the Tiwi Bombers next weekend to have their shot at a grand final spot and defend their premiership.
