Nightcliff's upset win over ladder leaders Southern Districts was the big result to come out of Round 14 matches in the NTFL's Men's Premier League.
TIO NTFL Premiers in 2019, '20 and 21, the Tigers won their third match in a row to move a game clear of sixth-placed PINT in the race for the top five.
Their 31-point win over the high-flying Crocodiles was well-learned after leading at every change to win 11.10 (76) to 6.9 (45) in front of their home crowd.
Simon Deery's blanketing task on dangerous Districts spearheads Leigh Williams and Jackson Bowen's strong contesting work with rival ruckman Matthew Dennis were big factors in Nightcliff's win.
Three-time premiership coach Chris Baksh said his side had been close to a run of wins before rediscovering the four-quarter effort required to win a game of football.
"Our defensive game was really good, particularly when you look at Districts' scoring record where they are the best in the competition.''
Cameron Ilett through the middle and up forward and Ryan Nyhuis across half-back were other big contributors to the win.
The Darwin Buffaloes had to work hard to beat a persistent Palmerston in the Jerry Frank Memorial clash at Cazaly's Arena.
A three-goal to nil last quarter sealed a 10.12 (72) to 7.6 (48) win that retained fourth position on the league ladder, a game and a half behind third-placed St Mary's.
Their captain Jarrod Stokes led from the front with a big four-quarter performance, including a goal from a set shot in the third quarter that settled some nerves in the Buffalo camp.
Patrick Boles, four-goal spearhead Daniel Stafford, and Kokwam Niki were other key players in the 24-point win.
Stokes said his side had to grind out the win after another close tussle with the Magpies at Cazaly's Arena.
"It was a tough one with the Jerry Frank Memorial being played, but we knew the importance of this game in terms of finals footy and were able to come up with a win,'' he added.
Competition first-timers PINT kicked five goals to one in the last quarter to run over a disappointing Wanderers at Tracy Village.
The Greenants' 10.9 (69) to 4.7 (31) win lifted them to sixth position, one game out of the top five, with tough matches against sides above them in the Buffaloes, Southern Districts and Nightcliff to come.
Tom Gaden around the ball, three-goal forward Ethan Penrith, and Thomas Schott were the best for the green and gold jumpers, who won their first match in five starts.
A come-from-behind draw against the Tiwi Bombers and close losses to top five incumbents St Mary's and Waratah were dropped points that could have had the Greenants as high as third on the ladder.
Waratah beat the Tiwi Bombers on forfeit after the Tiwis after player availability for the Bombers became a problem due to illness and unrest in communities on Bathurst and Melville islands.
