Written by Jackson Clark for AFL Northern Territory
TIO NTFL supporters can expect another weekend of wet weather football as we are now only a month away from the finals series.
The match of the round sees the battle of the green and gold teams – PINT vs. St Marys at 4:30PM at TIO Stadium.
The Saints are considered by many as the competition’s premiership favourites, sitting just one win off the top spot, while a win for the Greenants will solidify their position for an inaugural finals berth.
St Marys dominated the contest the last time these two clubs met with a seven-goal to nil final term resulting in a 20.6 (126) to 5.9 (39) win at TIO Stadium. Highly rated midfielder Joel Garner and the ever-reliable Nate Paredes starred that afternoon while Jack Kluske, Jackson Calder and Jack Landt all kicked four goals each.
But you can expect a new-look PINT team, who have been in excellent form post the Christmas break. It started with a win over reigning premiers Waratah, followed by a dominant victory over Wanderers and a narrow loss to Southern Districts at Norbuilt Oval last Saturday.
Expected wet conditions will likely even up the contest, so it could come down to a battle of attrition – which team will want it the most? Who is prepared to put their body on the line and win the contested football?
Harrison Maher and Elliot Chalmers have been in excellent form for the Greenants, while former AFL players Steven Motlop and Lochie O’Brien were among the team’s better performers in last week’s loss. Reigning Nichols Medallist Dylan Landt was outstanding last weekend with a 36-disposal six-goal performance, while young recruit Seth Harris continued his brilliant first season at NTFL level with 43 disposals.
In the earlier game at TIO Stadium, expect a fast and attacking contest between the Darwin Buffaloes and Tiwi Bombers.
The Buffaloes are riding a high after last week’s big win against Palmerston – the club’s first triumph since November. Baxter Mensch was at his ball-winning best collecting another 44 disposals while skipper Jarrod Stokes produced a mind-blowing six-goal final term to go along with his 34 touches.
The Bombers have been outclassed in recent weeks against strong opposition, but always pose a threat against any team willing to underestimate them. Kim Kantilla, Brendan Kantilla and Karlson Kantilla will face a tough ask in backing up after their appearance for Essendon’s VFL team on Wednesday night, but the Bombers certainly have enough talent and firepower to ruin the Buffaloes’ afternoon.
Waratah are fresh off the bye last weekend and will go Saturday night’s game at Gardens Oval against Wanderers as heavy favourites. The Warriors will be seeking a confidence-boosting win as the finals approach but may look to rest some of their sore players from the NTFL representative game. It will be pride on the line for the Eagles as they look to respond from multiple 100-point losses in recent games.
Southern Districts will enter as unbackable favourites for Saturday night’s clash against Palmerston at Cazalys Arena. Mitchell Burgess was excellent for the Crocs in last week’s win over PINT, while Jye Bolton and Jordyn Cotter continue their strong post-Christmas form. It has been a tough season for the Magpies, but they were competitive at stages during last week’s loss to the Darwin Buffaloes. Their supporters will look for continued effort and spirit, but a win would be by far the biggest upset of the NTFL season.
