Men’s Premier League
Game 1 – Elimination Final
St Mary’s 6.7 7.9 9.13 15.15 (105)
Tiwi Bombers 0.1 2.4 5.10 7.11 (53)
GOALS
St Mary’s: Peter Macfarlane 4, Nathaniel Paredes 4, Henry Labastida 2, Luke Bath, Jaden McGrath, Francis Kinthari, Simon Richardson, Ryan Smith
Tiwi Bombers: Jack Munkara 2, Adam Tipungwuti 2, Ross Tungatalum 2, Albert Tipungwuti
GAME ANALYSIS
An electric start in front of a massive crowd at TIO Stadium for the Saints as Club Best & Fairest, Nate Paredes, slammed on two quick goals then gave Peter MacFarlane the third. Youngster Simon Richardson goaled followed by MacFarlane again and finally Henry Labastida gave the Saints a massive 42-point lead at the first break. Tiwi had no match for Jack Geary in the midfield. Youngster Jeffrey Simon tried hard supported by Daniel Sturzaker but the Bombers needed to lift to get back into the game. At quarter time the score was St Mary's 6.7.43 leading Tiwi Bombers Football Club 0.1.1.
The second quarter was more even with Saints Ryan Smith kicking a goal before Albert Tipungwuti finally scored a major for the Bombers at the 19-minute mark. Ross Tungatalum then showed why he is one of the most exciting players going around with a brilliant goal. At half time the score was St Mary's 7.9.51 leading Tiwi Bombers 2.4.16.
The third quarter didn’t disappoint with more exciting footy in front of an great crowd. Saints Francis Kinthari goaled after the siren to give Saints a 27-point lead at the final break. Bombers coach, Brenton Toy, implored his team to give it their all for the last quarter. The score was St Mary's 9.13.67 lead Tiwi Bombers 5.10.40 at three quarter time.
In a grand final like atmosphere the Tiwi Bombers just couldn’t claw their way back after the Saints six goals to none first quarter. Nate Paredes, Peter MacFarlane and Jack Geary were fantastic for Saints while Simon Munkara, Jeffrey Simon and Ross Tungatalum were in the Tiwi Bombers best. The Bombers were the big improvers this season after finishing bottom last year and will look to build on this next season. Full time score: 15.15.105 defeated Tiwi Bombers 7.11.53.
Game 2 – Qualifying Final
Nightcliff 5.6 7.8 11.9 13.10 (88)
Darwin Buffaloes 3.1 7.6 11.9 15.12 (102)
GOALS
Nightcliff: Mathew Bricknell 3, Kyle Emery 2, Farron James 2, Ryan Mu 2, Zackary Derksen, Scott McLeod, Patrick White, Shaun Wilson
Darwin Buffaloes: Adam Sambono 6, Darren Shillabeer 3, Jackson Clark 2, Todd Miles 2, Christopher Atkinson, Jarrod Stokes
GAME ANALYSIS
These two teams met last week and with drier conditions at TIO Stadium this time around there was certainly a very different feel to the game. An unlikely first goal scorer Shaun Wilson got the Tigers going but a couple of minutes later a long bomb from 55m out and Darren Shillabeer had the Buffs on the scoreboard also. Adam Sambono added two typical Sambono-like goals for the Buffs, one on the outside of his left foot, another a set shot on a tight right angle. The Tigers finished the term stronger going into the break 36-19 up. In the second term the Buffs had eight more inside 50s and seven more effective tackles than the Tigers. They also kicked the first three goals before Matt Bricknell pegged one back to edge Nightcliff ahead once more. Adam Sambono put the Buffs back in front with a brilliant mark right in front of goal but an after the siren goal to Patrick White swung things back in Nightcliff’s favour to the tune of two points at the major break.
In the opening two minutes of the third quarter the Buffs had worked themselves to a 10-point lead and showed all the forward pressure but by the 17-minute mark of the quarter things were all square. Todd Miles proved his worth with a timely Buffs goal before Ryan Mu kicked his second for the game and Faron James his second for the quarter to give the Tigers a small lead. Then up popped Adam Sambono, who looked like he was made of elastic, and took a great grab on the 50 to kick his sixth for the game just after the siren sounded and tie things all up at 11.9.75-apiece. Staring at the possibility of a drawn final and having to go to extra time the Tigers kicked the opening two goals of the last quarter in quick succession, the first through big man Scott McLeod who pounced on a loose ball close to goal.
The Buffs worked hard to get two back and with 16:30 on the clock scores were level once more. Big Miles took a monster grab and converted the goal and when co-captain Jarrod Stokes, who worked tirelessly all night, chased down a mark near the 50 that had hum running with the flight of the ball, and then he kicked truly the Buffs rolled on. For the first time in years they make it through to Finals Week 2 and will come up against a rampaging Southern Districts outfit.
Women’s Premier League
Game 1 – Elimination Final 1
St Mary’s 1.0 3.1 6.4 6.6 (42)
PINT 1.0 1.0 1.1 3.1 (19)
GOALS
St Mary’s: Laelia Dunn 2, Shaqkayla Bading, Alana Coombes, Simone Garner, Cara Yovanovic
PINT: Elise Fenna, Ellie Ryan, Katie Streader
GAME ANALYSIS
PINT have been knocked out of finals after going down to St Mary’s at TIO Stadium. Saints controlled the game in slippery, wet conditions with the likes of Danielle Ponter and Jennie Attrill pushing the ball forward to Laelia Dunn. PINT’s Katie Streader, Alysha Johnson and Sam Barnett were getting in and under for PINT but the Green and Gold defense was far too strong. Saints Shaqkayla Bading got them off to a great start with a brilliant snap goal from the pocket and then Katie Streader from Queenants kicked their first goal.
Game 2 – Elimination Final 2
Palmerston 2.1 2.3 2.4 3.6 (24)
Tracy Village 1.2 1.3 1.3 1.3 (9)
GOALS
Palmerston: Jessica Stassi 2, Wynona Barlow, Michaeline Brown
Tracy Village: Stephanie Grainger
GAME ANALYSIS
Palmerston has advanced to the next round of finals after its convincing win over Tracy Village. Janet Baird had a dominant game for the Magpies while Deb Bonde tried hard for the Bushpigs all game. Michaeline Brown, the Palmerston veteran, whose played top-level football for years and was super excited about the finals series couldn’t speak more highly about the team’s defenders. “Week after week our best on ground are our defenders,” Brown said.
Game 3 – Qualifying Final
Waratah 2.0 2.4 2.4 3.5 (23)
Darwin Buffettes 0.1 0.1 0.2 0.4 (4)
GOALS
Waratah: Lisa Miceli 2, Sherayn Puruntatameri
GAME ANALYSIS
On a wet and humid TIO Stadium Waratah came out firing keeping reigning premiers, Darwin Buffettes, goalless for the entire game. Gemma Cusack was solid in defence for Waratah, focusing on shutting down their momentum. The pre-match focus, as directed from coach Colleen Gwynne, was to stick together really tight and give the Buffettes no space to gain momentum. This is exactly what happened with Izzy Rapson, Lisa Roberts and Bec Pryer were all stand outs for the Tahs. Buffettes coach, Matt Large, believes that the girls need to put the efforts of the game behind them and focus on preparing themselves for their do or die clash against Palmerston next week.
