Written by Grey Morris for AFL Northern Territory
Four-quarter cameos by Territory Buffaloes Jed Anderson and Nick Yarran laid the foundation stones for a 32-point win over a courageous Essendon VFL side at TIO Stadium on Wednesday night.
The representative game continued an interstate tradition between both sides that began with Kevin Sheedy's 1986 Bombers on Australia Day.
The Buffaloes' 11.7 (73) to 5.11 (41) in wet and steamy conditions also added to a strong win-loss record for the home side against the black and red jumpers of Essendon.
NTFL midfielder and former Hawthorn and North Melbourne star Jed Anderson won the best on ground medal in an on-ball role that saw him pick up several important possessions that set up big goals.
The win over Essendon was Anderson's first representative game since leading the Territory's under-18 to the 2012 national championship, a gap of almost 12 years.
"I was a little bit nervous when we ran out after the long gap for me in rep footy, including some goosebumps when I saw the crowd and my family and friends, it's been unreal,'' Anderson said.
"It was great how all the boys showed up today and showcased what the NT has to offer, there are some good footballers up here and I think the whole team showed that against a good side in Essendon.
"It was a lot of fun playing on-ball and swapping with Nate Paredes and Brodie Filo, two guns of the competition, where I was able to work off them and get a bit of the footy.''
The Buffaloes were also well served by Jack O'Sullivan, Matthew Mazzini, Kieren Parnell, Braedon McLean, and skipper Ryan Nyhuis down back, while Arnold Kirby's ruckwork continues to reach a high level.
Jayden Magro's three goals could have stretched to five or six with an ounce more luck and Southern Districts' Beau Schwarze continued his stellar season with three majors of his own.
Essendon lost no friends with their performance, a blank period in the second and third quarters when they could not kick a goal costing them any chance of a win.
Their captain Xavier O'Neill said playing the NTFL at their home base had been a special night for his side.
"It was a good hitout for us, even if the conditions weren't quite what we're used to,'' O'Neill said.
"Playing with the Tiwi boys (Kim, Karlson, and Brendan Kantilla) was a big occasion for us and them, it showed they are great players and we're pleased to be associated with them at Essendon.
''We've watched videos of our club's history up here and the good work they've done, so no matter what level we're at as a team, we just want to maintain our links with the NT community.''
