Men’s Premier League
Game 1 – Semi Final 1
Nightcliff 0.3 2.5 9.8 12.10 (76)
St Mary’s 2.5 3.5 3.8 7.10 (52)
GOALS
Nightcliff: Kyle Emery 3, Kokwam Niki 2, Patrick White 2, Mathew Bricknell, Zackary Derksen, Cameron Ilett, Phillip Wills, Shaun Wilson
St Mary’s: Peter Macfarlane 3, Shannon Rioli 2, Jaryd Cachia, Jaden McGrath
GAME ANALYSIS
Jaden McGrath got the Saints on the scoreboard early with a great snap goal followed by Shannon Rioli kicking truly. The Tigers were able to get the ball in their forward a few times but weren’t looking like scoring due to Saints intense defensive pressure leaving them goalless for the first quarter.
Tigers finally got their first major thanks to Shaun Wilson about 8 minutes into the second quarter and former coach Troy Coates was instrumental in the black and gold comeback. Saints were still all over the centre clearances but in a much tighter quarter saw a closer game heading into half time.
The Tigers slammed on seven goals to none during the third quarter making a comeback after being 6 points down at half time. Wilson was again dominant for Tigers, helping them set up to go into the final term with a with a massive 38-point lead. The Saints needed to re-group and capitalise on their scoring opportunities if they wanted to make any sort of a comeback.
The reigning premiers made a mini comeback in the final quarter, slotting four goals, but just couldn’t get back in the game. Tigers haven’t beaten Saints in a final since the 1978/79 season and didn’t the big Tigers crowd at TIO Stadium enjoy that.
Game 2 – Semi Final 2
Southern Districts 1.4 5.6 6.6 10.8 (68)
Darwin Buffaloes 7.2 10.3 11.5 13.10 (88)
GOALS
Southern Districts: Rory O’Brien 3, Dean Staunton 2, Leroy Jetta, Lionel Ogden, Ed Barlow, Richard Tambling, William Farrer
Darwin Buffaloes: Adam Sambono 6, Darren Shillabeer 3, Jackson Clark 2, Todd Miles 2, Christopher Atkinson, Jarrod Stokes
GAME ANALYSIS
In a complete reversal of the last time these two met this season it was Buffs who were looking invincible in the opening quarter of the game. Their big men got in on the action quickly with Darren Shillabeer (three) and Todd Miles kicking the opening four goals. It took the Crocs until the 25th minute to get their first major on the board.
A better second quarter was to be had by the Crocs, who recovered the inside 50s count to only be down 19-25 at the major break. Dean Staunton kicked the first two for the red, white and black but by the eight-minute mark Adam Sambono added three more to his name, the only three the Buffs scored. Towards the end of the second quarter the rain started pouring and the ball was quickly waterlogged which slowed scoring and movement down.
Midway through the third quarter, with lightning striking so close to TIO Stadium, five sirens were sounded as umpires deemed conditions too unsafe to play. Once the storm had passed the remaining 10 minutes of the quarter were played out. Shillabeer had kicked one for the Buffs prior to the game being halted and once restarted Rory O’Brien was the only goal scorer, kicking one for the Crocs. Even in the heavy rain Sambono was still marking everything coming his way.
Districts kicked the first three goals of the final quarter and at the 17-minute mark only trailed by a goal. Then Buffs coach, Matt Campbell, had a touch of magic and the tune of “Buffaloes! Buffaloes!” filled TIO Stadium. A handy point took the margin to 13 and when Shillabeer got a free and a 50m penalty the crowd were ecstatic. The final score was Darwin Buffaloes 13.10.88 defeated Southern Districts 10.8.68. Buffs have made it straight through to the grand final. This is the first time they’ve been in the big dance since 2005/06, set up by that seven goal to one opening term.
Women’s Premier League
Game 1 – Semi Final 2
Darwin Buffettes 4.1 4.1 4.2 5.6 (36)
Palmerston 1.0 4.1 5.2 5.2 (32)
GOALS
Darwin Buffettes: Delsey Ah Wang, Rhiannon Banner, Machaeila Roberts, Bianca Stokes, Brittany Ward
Palmerston: Jessica Stassi 2, Wynona Barlow, Michaeline Brown
GAME ANALYSIS
Buffettes were out to redeem themselves after last week’s poor performance, being kept goalless all game, in the qualifying finals by Waratah. Getting out of the blocks early Buffettes gained a 19-point lead, the biggest margin of the game before Magpies managed to claw their way back through the likes of Michaeline Brown and Janet Baird kicking goals for the black and white. As the pressure heightened the scores became narrower, even being locked 25-points each at half time. Early in the third quarter Palmerston managed to get out in front before Buffettes keep themselves in the game thanks to Bianca Stokes kicking a goal in the final term, leveling the scoreboard. The double blues got themselves over the line through points scored and secured their spot in next week’s Grand Final against Waratah!
Game 2 – Semi Final 1
Waratah 4.2 6.5 6.6 9.8 (62)
St Mary’s 0.1 0.2 0.2 0.2 (2)
GOALS
Waratah: Breanna Martin 3, Amy Chittick 2, Sue Nalder 2, Tarryn O'Hehir 2
GAME ANALYSIS
Waratah started the First Semi Final in blistering form kicking four goals to zero in the opening term. Saints were having a real crack to keep up with the Tahs, however, Waratah’s pressure was outstanding and weren’t allowing St Mary’s to gather any momentum. St Mary’s found their way back into the match from the second quarter and nullified Waratah’s scoring, but in doing so, couldn’t score themselves. Both sides were applying high levels of pressure throughout the match, which made the match very defensive and St Mary’s couldn’t narrow the margin after Waratah’s tremendous start. Waratah now go onto their seventh consecutive Grand Final and face last season’s premiers, the Darwin Buffettes.
