Game 1
St Mary’s 2.2 4.4 10.6 15.10 (100)
Darwin Buffaloes 3.2 7.5 7.8 9.9 (63)
GOALS
St Mary's: Nathaniel Paredes 5, Mathias Liddy 3, Luke Stapleton 3, Leonard Ferreira, Clive Mcdonald, Baden Nicholls, Maurice Rioli Jnr
Darwin Buffaloes: Hassan Ahmat-Waltkins 2, Steven Anderson, Francis Bruce, Jalen Clarke, Thomas Clarke, David Paull, Daniel Stafford, Zak Stephenson
GAME ANALYSIS
Saints come out on top against fierce rivals the buffs in an exciting game.
Q1
A big crowd had rolled into TIO Stadium for the return of Friday night footy with old rivals Darwin Buffaloes getting the first score on the board after Brayden Culhane hit Hassan Ah Mat-Watkins on the chest and he went back and slotted a goal. Saints veteran Luke Stapleton returned fire with a goal from right in front which got Saints off to a good start. Jalen Clarke ran into goal for the Buffs second goal and it only took Saints three minutes to strike back after Leonard Ferreira kicked the Saints second. In a fairly even quarter Saints gave away a crucial 50 metre penalty and Zak Stephenson was able to goal from 45 meters out which saw them grab the lead. Saints also lost Ben Taylor with an ankle injury at the 20-minute mark and he didn’t look like coming back on. Nate Paredes had been exceptional once again for Saints while Joe Anderson has been solid in the backline for Buffs.
Q2
Buffalo Steven Anderson opened the scoring in the second term after running onto the loose ball in the forward line and goaling. The Saints then got on top for the next ten minutes with Mathias Liddy goaling after a superb pass from Jacob Long followed by Nate Paredes with an exciting toe poke soccer goal which was a match highlight. Daniel Stafford got one back for Buffs and the score line was 7 points the difference and then they got a roll on with Tommy Clarke goaling after receiving a 50-meter penalty. Big David Paull kicked an absolute cracker on his left foot from the boundary on the grandstand side. Buffs defender Kevin Maroney continued his good form from last week’s game taking a brilliant diving mark in the backline. Leonard Ferreira had tried super hard for Saints every time the ball has gone near him while Buffs coach Matty Campbell had more of an impact that quarter running the ball out of the backline. Jalen Clarke had a shot on goal from 50 out after the siren but it was stopped before the line and the difference stood at 3 goals at the main break
Q3
in a big six goal to none third quarter by the green and gold. Saints scored the first two goals of the quarter after Nate Paredes received a 50 metre penalty and goaled and then Maurice Rioli Jnr kicked a ‘Rioli special’ out of the air in the goalsquare and suddenly it was a goal the difference. Buffs worked it the full length of the field to get it into Adam Sambono but he was unable to score after some great defense on the goal line by Saints Matt Wilkinson and Ben Rioli. Steven Anderson then had a set shot on goal and missed. Luke Stapleton kicked his second for the Saints after Matty Campbell misread the ball on the boundary line and suddenly, we had a one point ball game and tempers flared. Nate Paredes played on after a free kick was given and put the Saints back in front much to the delight of the crowd. Mathias Liddy took advantage of a free kick to run into goal and put the Saints further in front. The Saints showed real endeavor that quarter outscoring Buffs 6 goals to none but had unfortunately lost Raph Clarke for the night with a hamstring injury. Nick Yarran had been impressive across the backline with Ben Rioli. Eddie Trupp was good for Buffs that quarter while the rest of his team looked a bit stunned and they looked to regroup at the final break
Q4
After an outstanding third quarter the Saints continued the goal spree kicking three within the first seven minutes to Nicholls, Liddy and Paredes again. Paredes has been best on ground by a country mile and was the story of the night keeping his team in the game when they were down and dominating every time he went near the ball. Buffs finally scored for the first time since the second quarter at the 12-minute mark when Hassan Ah Mat – Watkins kicked a banana from a set shot on the boundary. Two minutes later Francis Bruce kicked a goal for Buffs but Ah Mat-Watkins spectacularly missed from 20 meters out. The intensity level at TIO Stadium went up 200 percent as the Buffs suddenly had all the play but the Saints could settle and man of the match Nate Paredes kicked his fifth goal down the Michael Long Centre end to complete his dominant display. Joe Anderson was great for Buffs working hard all night but it was the green and gold who got the chocolates
Game 2
Waratah 4.0 6.2 8.6 9.10 (64)
Wanderers 3.4 6.5 8.6 8.7 (55)
GOALS
Waratah: Cameron Barrett 2, Kim Kantilla 2, Samuel Weddel 2, Matthew Blake, Daniel Simpson, James Wray
Wanderers: Joel Jeffrey 3, Beau O'Connell 2, Keelan Fejo, Jerome Motlop, Liam Patrick
GAME ANALYSIS
Waratah takes the win from a brilliant game against Wanderers in front of a home crowd.
Q1
A Welcome to Country and the Australian Anthem welcomed the crowd to the annual Foundation Cup game at Gardens Oval and just as the ball was thrown up in the muddy middle, the rain started to fall. Wanderers pushed forward early but it was Daniel Simpson who had the opening goal in the first three minutes, taking advantage of a free kick by playing on and running hard at the goal. Wanderers hit back quickly, through Adam Cook and a dribbling ground ball that evaded all limbs. Wanderers made it two goals when Scott Meyer took a strong mark and Joel Jeffrey followed suit when Meyer’s kick fell short of the goal line and the young Jeffrey marked it in the square. Leading by example Abe Ankers and James Wray attacked the ball in the middle, and it paid off for Wray whose kick in hope from the centre square sailed over the top and through for a Tahs’ goal. Sam Godden showed the quick feet and strength he was quickly becoming known for when he dodged and weaved past Wanderers players on their wing and his pass hit Kim Kantilla with his hands out. Kantilla kicked the goal, whereas up the other end of the ground the Muk Muks were peppering the goals. Matt Blake made it four for the Tahs in the opening term with an easy run, once again off the back of strong midfield play. Not to be outdone, Wanderers up and comer Beau O’Connell used clean hands around the back and his bomb in hope from about 60 metres out slid through the goal posts to end an exciting opening quarter.
Q2
Wanderers got off to a flyer in the second quarter, Keelan Fejo soccerring a goal in the opening 40 seconds to get his team ahead. That lead was extended to 11 points not too long after when Waratah blundered a kick out, allowing Wanderers to make a spoil which landed in Joel Jeffrey’s hands. He turned and threw the footy on his boot almost instantaneously, kicking his second goal for the game. With Wanderers manning up well it made it hard for the Tahs to find a way through but the maestro, Abe Ankers turned on his heels in the forward pocket and found Cameron Barrett, who straightened up while on the run to kick his first goal. Skilful ball movement with the occasional blunder from both teams saw the game played on mostly even terms but at the 11-minute mark when the ball looked certain to go out of bounds it came up on Beau O’Connell and stayed in, which allowed the Tahs to pounce and move the ball into their forward, with Kim Kantilla on the end with a beautiful running set shot. Five minutes later Joel Jeffrey plucked a beautiful mark on the 50 metre arc and showing composure beyond his 16 years went back and kicked the goal. And just as he did the heavens opened and the rain came pelting down, giving everyone a good drenching for the next five minutes and making clean play hard to come by.
Q3
The ground was heavy underfoot when the third quarter started, Waratah had the first two forward 50 entries but was unable to add to the scoreboard. In contrast, Wanderers had a goal with their first forward 50 entry which was two minutes into the quarter. Beau O’Connell picked the ball up cleanly and snapped on his foot to give the Muk Muks a nine-point lead. That was short lived though, as Sam Weddell was paid a free kick for being held in a ruck contest in the Tahs’ forward 50 and his converted free kick sailed through. At the 10-minute mark, Tahs had managed to draw back even and the score was 7.5.47 each. Just before the 14th minute Marlon Motlop and Liam Patrick laid a big tackle on a Tahs defender which saw Motlop with a set shot but the heavy ball shaved the goalpost, resulting in only a minor score. As the sky got darker Tahs pushed harder and the Wanderers half of the ground was left bare. Winston Yunupingu came up with big intercepting marks and plays but he could only hold off the press so long, a free kick in the muddy centre square for contact below the knees led to Cameron Barrett’s second goal for the game and Waratah had its nose in front. The play wasn’t done though, with Daniel Weetra kicking to a sliding Jerome Motlop on the wing, who got up, linked with another player and kept running to kick a big awkward sliding goal that had him pounding his chest and the scores all even once more.
Q4
The Tahs got a handy point in the opening minute of the game but some ill-disciplined play by Wanderers in the 5th minute gave Tahs two free-kicks in a row, the second one resulting in Sam Weddell kicking a goal from hard up against the right boundary approximately 40 meters out. It was a seven-point lead which was quickly in danger of being pegged back when less than two minutes later Thomas Motlop was paid a free kick for a third effort tackle. Taking on a difficult angle and the famous Waratah “hill” he only managed a behind and just like that the Tahs had the footy out of their defence and back in their forward line where they kept it locked it in for the next five minutes. Unable to impact the scoreboard during that time with another goal the crowd sat nervously when the ball was back in the Wanderers’ forward 50. With most of the Muk Muks players still up the ground the options were limited and thus allowed Tahs’ captain Justin Beugelaar to sweep up cleanly. Abe Ankers could’ve helped the predominantly red and white crowd breathe more easily had his shot on goal sailed through in the 20th minute but the game was soon after, with only the one goal being kicked in the final quarter.
Game 3
Nightcliff 2.4 6.5 7.7 10.12 (72)
Tiwi Bombers 2.3 6.5 9.6 12.7 (73)
GOALS
Nightcliff: John Butcher 2, Blake Grewar 2, Trent Melville 2, Beau Black, Danny Butcher, Liam Holt-Fitz, Shaun Wilson
Tiwi Bombers: Ross Tungutalum 4, Simon Munkara 3, Christian Burgess, Michael Cooper, Nathan Djerrkura, Dionysius Munkara, Jack Munkara
GAME ANALYSIS
Bombers snatch an exciting 1-point win over rivals Nightcliff.
Q1
Nightcliff had the run of play early with Phillip Wills getting the first two center clearances for the Tigers. Nightcliff kicked their first goal within a minute through Beau Black. Nightcliff had all the answers to start off with, but struggled for accuracy kicking for goal. Tiwi settled into the game and kicked the next two through Simon Munkara, in his 200th NTFL match, and Dion Munkara. John Butcher then goaled truly for the Tigers before light rain appeared. It was a low scoring quarter for both teams with the slippery conditions making it difficult for marks inside 50.
Q2
Nightcliff had all the momentum for the first half of the quarter kicking the first four out of five goals through Blake Grewar, Danny Butcher, Trent Melville and Shaun Wilson to get out to a three-goal lead. Tiwi would not let the Tigers run away with it though, with Ross Tungatalum prolific in the quarter to keep his side in it. Tiwi kicked the last three goals of the quarter through Jack Munkara, Christian Burgess and Ross Tungatalum. Jeffrey David Simon was the Bombers other goal kicker. The two in form teams in the league were proving there's not much between them.
Q3
The trend continued with Nightcliff kicking the opening goal of the quarter, kicked by Trent Melville. Tiwi answered quickly kicking two quick goals of their own through Ross Tungatalum and Simon Munkara. Nightcliff held the ball in their forward half for at least five minutes, but couldn’t translate it into goals and instead kicking behinds. It would take a run from half back by Sylvani Babui to clear Nightcliff’s defence and give Tiwi a shot on goal, which ultimately missed. It would take a few minutes for Tiwi to get their next goal, with a transition from defence and Simon Munkara goaling. Nightcliff had a shot on goal just before the siren went, but it ultimately fell short. Both teams had been playing with high intensity with neither wanted to lose possession of the ball.
Q4
Tiwi kicked the opening goal of the quarter through Nathan Djerrkura to give the Bombers more than a two-goal lead. Tiwi were playing better in the slippery conditions and were cleaner with the footy. Blake Grewar would goal ten minutes into the quarter before another quick goal to John Butcher to get the Tigers within four points. Three points in a row would draw the Tigers within a point, before Blake Grewar kicked the goal to get the Tigers back in front. The rain disappeared early in the last quarter with Nightcliff taking advantage. A mark inside 50 by Ross Tungatalum gave Tiwi a shot on goal at the 20-minute mark, but missed which had Tiwi trailing by 5 points. A couple of minutes later, Tiwi’s speed allowed them to kick a goal through Ross Tungatalum with seconds to go.
Game 4
Palmerston 2.0 3.0 5.2 9.5 (59)
Southern Districts 5.3 8.9 13.10 16.17 (113)
GOALS
Palmerston: Ian Milera 2, Kyle Emery 2, Jacon Lampton, Michaelis Mcmasters, Mishai Perry, Joseph Thompson, Jamanie (ratjparrwarr) Wunungmurra
Southern Districts: Ed Barlow 3, Beau Schwarze 3, Jared Brennan 2, Josiah Farrer 2, Lionel Ogden, Matthew Duffy, Jess Koopman, Michael Mummery, Bradley Vallance
GAME ANALYSIS
Crocs kept a strong lead throughout the match against fierce rivals Pies.
Q1
The Crocs had asserted their dominance in the opening quarter of the match. It's been a real team effort for the Crocs and when it's come to the goal scorers impressively, Lionel Ogden and Beau Schwarze both scored two goals each. Palmerston had been putting up a fight as Ian Millera and Kyle Emery who had both been working hard, kicked one goal each. The Magpies just hadn’t managed to keep up to with the Crocs leg speed at this stage of the game but there was still time for the table to turn.
Q2
The ball spent most of the second term down in the Crocs forward 50. The margin could've been a lot greater if Southern Districts had converted the seven behinds they kicked that quarter. Despite the score line, Palmerston's Mitch Bunworth has been working hard creating pressure in the midfield and teammate Riley Stone was punching above his weight against the bigger opponents he was up against. But if Palmerston wanted to walk away with the four points they needed to really come out strong after the long break.
Q3
The intensity had increased from the Magpies that quarter however it hadn’t been reflected on the score board. With Palmerston only getting their first goal in the 13th minute mark of the third term through the likes of Jacon Lampton. There were five goals peppered by the Crocs that quarter but the most impressive one came from Matthew Duffy who booted his major from 50 meters out.
Q4
The Crocs ran away with the game in the end but not without Palmerston putting up a fight. Rowan Smith had been trying all game in the defense for the Magpies. Likewise for the opposition, Ed Barlow had been an influential follower for the Crocs. Southern Districts young gun, Beau Schwarze and tall timber Ed Barlow both left the field That day with three goals to their names. While, Ian Milera and Kyle Emery were the highest goal kickers for Palmerston, slotting two goals each over the duration of the game.
