2023/24 TIO NTFL Wrap: Men's Premier League - Round 8
Another St Mary's masterclass that took them to the top of the Men's Premier League ladder and a season defining win by the Leigh Crossman coached Nightcliff were the main topics of discussion after Round 8 of the 2023/24 TIO NTFL season.
Nightcliff won an intriguing battle with the in-form Southern Districts in Saturday night's game at TIO Stadium.
In a game played with finals-like intensity, the lead changed several times in the second half before the Tigers held on to win by seven points.
Nightcliff kicked six goals in a row from late in the third quarter to the first goal in the last before a big comeback by an inspired Jed Anderson and Beau Schwarze almost snatched an unlikely win for Districts.
Tigers boss Leigh Crossman held his breath while the pendulum swung from his side to a desperate Districts in what was the game of the season to date.
"It was a similar tone to last week (losing to the Buffaloes) when we started well (five goal to one first quarter) then they came back in bursts, but we were able to slow their momentum down a little bit quicker this time,'' he said.
"These games are the ones you want to win, we've dropped two of them and to come out on top this time around was pleasing because sides like Districts are the ones who are going to be thereabouts.''
Crossman pointed to full back Mitchell Norton's game in holding dangerous Districts spearhead Jarrod Brander to two goals, the poise of veteran Cameron Ilett and the return of Ryan Nyhuis in defence as crucial factors in the win.
St Mary's went on a goalkicking marathon against lowly Palmerston in their twilight game at TIO Stadium, booting 10 goals in the third quarter and 11 in the last to consume the Magpies by 175 points.
It was the 33-time Premier League champions' sixth win in as many outings since losing their opening round fixture to Nightcliff in the first Saturday in October.
Nichols medallist Dylan Landt again directed traffic through the middle of the ground and up forward with another best on ground performance, while ruckman-forward Tex Korewha, spearhead Jackson Calder and Jack Landt combined for 18 goals in Saints' 33.12 (210) to 5.5 (35) win.
Coach Anthony Vallejo watched his players kick 33 goals to three after Palmerston kicked the first two goals of the match before declaring the side can only get better.
"There are still players to come back into the side and with everyone playing some good footy to try and hold their spots, the depth is something we haven't had for a couple of seasons,'' he said.
Waratah showed the benefits of an eight-goal to three first half when it beat a spirited Darwin Buffaloes outfit by 27 points at Gardens Oval.
The reigning Premier League champions had to withstand a Buffalo comeback in the second half before prevailing 11.17 (83) to 8.8 (56) in front of a boisterous crowd.
Coach Ryan Ayres praised the solid start and his side's ability to respond when the Buffaloes came at them.
"They are a good side, they haven't won five games for no reason and they proved it without a couple of players.''
Jack O'Sullivan down back was a colossus for the Tah’s, while the busy Dylan Collis and former Sydney Swan Ryan Clarke got their hands on the ball on a regular basis for the red and whites.
Buffaloes coach Cameron Stokes was left to reflect on another sloppy start against good opposition.
"We can't be giving sides like that a five or six-goal head start, that's what it came down to in the end even though we fought out the game really well.'' he said.
An inaccurate PINT stayed in touch with the top five after a seven-goal to one last half despatched a disappointing Tiwi Bombers at Marrara's DXC Arena.
The Tiwi Bomber's were competitive in the first half with Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti and the pacy Kim Kantilla creating some angst among the PINT forward line.
But the Greenants forward line got on top in the last two quarters, skipper Matt Ryan's four goals and three from Liam Holt-Fitz setting the foundations for an 11.18 (84) to 4.6 (30) win.
