The much anticipated 2022/23 TIO NTFL finals series moved a step closer with four of the five finalists in the Men's Premier League recording comfortable wins in the last home and away round.
Minor premier Southern Districts shook off a second-quarter lapse to double the Darwin Buffaloes' score at TIO Stadium and St Mary's kicked the last 19 goals of the match to beat the Wanderers by 102 points.
Waratah did not concede a goal after quarter time on the way to beating Palmerston by 74 points and Nightcliff was made to work hard by a hard-running Tiwi Bombers before a Brodie Filo-inspired four quarters saw them win by 65 points.
Southern Districts' bid for a second senior flag in five seasons remained on track after their 16.8 (104) to 8.4 (52) win over the fifth-placed Buffaloes.
Ruckman Matthew Dennis was unstoppable, Jake McQueen inspirational across half-forward and Matthew Mazzini sensational as the flag favourites flexed their muscles.
The Crocodiles had 10 goalkickers in their 13th win of the season, proof of the versatility of coach Shannon Rusca's playing squad.
Rusca was not fazed by his side's second-quarter sleepover, saying the players had simply gone back into their shells after a solid first 25 minutes.
"We re-assessed at half-time and went back to what we do best which is hunting the ball in numbers and I thought we played an exceptional game in the last half.''
The Buffaloes were hampered by a hamstring injury to star on-baller and club captain Jarrod Stokes after half-time, with club officials hoping scans of the injury will clear Stokes to play in this week's elimination final against Nightcliff.
Several key players, including Patrick Boles, Ryan Pendlebury, Liam Holt-Fitz and Thomas Baulch missed the twilight clash at league headquarters, with all of them expected back this week.
St Mary's watched the Wanderers kick the first three goals of the game before regrouping to boot the next 19 on the way to a big win over their long-term rivals in Saturday's night game.
Skipper Nate Paredes was at the peak of his powers in Saints' resurgence, steering the Green Machine to a four-goal lead at the main break and an eventual 17-goal triumph.
Lucas Jellyman-Turner running off half-back and seven-goal spearhead Jackson Calder also played major roles, Calder retaining the prestigious Dennis Dunn goalkicking trophy by a single goal over Waratahs' Jayden Magro.
Paredes said some extra skills work on the training track was paying dividends on matchdays.
"When we turn the ball over we don't look good, but when we use the ball well we look pretty good and we can use our pace on the outside,'' Paredes said.
"We're looking forward to the (qualifying) final against Waratah, we gained a bit of confidence with the (one point) win last week and know we can match it with them.'
