WARATAH reminded reigning NTFL men's premier St Mary's that six months can be a long time in football when it thrashed the listless Saints by 101 points in the 2022-23 season opener at Gardens Oval on Friday night.
Every Tahs player hit the ground with intent as the red and and whites ran away with a 21.12 (138) to 5.7 (37) win at the former home of Territory football.
Ryan Ayres' side swept away memories of the grand final loss to St Mary's last March with a display of hard running, strong marking football that will make the rest of the competition stand up and take notice.
The Saints did not kick a goal in the first half, Joseph Salmon's mark and goal five minutes into the third quarter finally breaking a goal drought strictly enforced by the airtight Waratah backline.
Midfielder Marcus Wattie, ruckman Arnold KIrby and spearhead Tom Banuelos impressed on a big night for Waratah.
Tahs coach Ryan Ayers was upbeat post match, saying the leadup to the grand final rematch had been a time for hard work.
"Running blocks and everything that goes with pre-season, there was never any question about it because the boys were always very keen to do the work.
"They understand if you want to be successful you've got to do the work. I know it's only Round 1, but it's a lot better starting the season off with a win instead of being on the losing side,''
Tahs revealed their new forward line in the big win, kicking six goals in the second quarter and 10 in the last to inflict the first 100-point defeat on St Mary's.
Big marking first gamer Banuelos, the former Sydney University spearhead, booted four goals and Edward Morris four.
The new-look Palmerston beat the Tiwi Bombers by 10 goals despite the Tiwis showing some fight in the third quarter when they kicked four unanswered goals and five for the term.
The Magpies got great service from ruckman Tristan Waack in his first game for the club, Baxter Mensch in a rotational role through the midfield and up forward and Nichols medallist Eric Guthrie around the ball.
Former Melbourne and North Melbourne forward Cameron Pedersen impressed with some big marking, his three goals comparing well with similar goalkicking returns from Mensch, Josh Scott and Eddie Betts.
Second year Magpie coach Josh Heath was rapt with the win, following on with the success of his club in the women's and lower grades.
"I've very proud of the boys on a day when we won every grade we played this weekend, just getting things rolling at the club was fantastic and hopefully we can go on with this.'' Heath said.
The Darwin Buffaloes kicked the last four goals of the match to beat Wanderers and win the annual Nungalinya Cup game at TIO Stadium.
Wanderers hit the front after a three-goal burst early in the quarter with Steven Motlop back in a blue and gold jumper after 15 years in the AFL with Geelong and Port Adelaide.
But the Buffaloes were good enough to respond through defenders Kaine Riley and Bradley Stokes, midfielders Patrick Boles, Ryan Pendlebury and three-goal Nightcliff recruit Liam Holt-Fitz to take the four match points.
It was the Buffaloes' first taste of silverware under coach Cameron Stokes and a reminder of the playing depth n this year's side.
"Playing for a trophy like the Nungalinya Cup that is closely linked with the number of Larrakia people in our side made this an important game for the club,'' Stokes said.
"It's always good to start a new season with a win and we can only get better from now on.''
Nightcliff beat competition newboys PINT by 29 points in their night game at the Tigers' Darwin Mazda ground.
The Tigers won the game in the first half when they kicked six goals to two against a Greenants side finding its feet in the hustle and bustle of league football.
Usual suspects Cameron Ilett and Brodie Filo controlled the midfield, while 16-year-old Mt Isa recruit Phoenix Joel Pool impressed with two goals from a forward flank for his adopted side.
The Shannon Motlop coached PINT showed enough to suggest they will be competitive this season, Elliot Chalmers, Alex Harvey and Rovers (CAFL) recruit Patrick Doyle finding plenty of the football.
