Game 1
Waratah 4.1 8.1 12.6 19.10 (124)
Tiwi Bombers 2.1 4.5 6.7 7.8 (50)
GOALS
Waratah: Lachlan Collihole 5, Raven Jolliffe 3, Sam Weddell 3, Samuel Godden 2, Alexander Aurrichio, Matthew Blake, Cameron Barrett, Henry Kerinaiua, Brendon Minkulk, Zach Westerberg
Tiwi Bombers: Dion Munkara 3, Norman Pangiraminni 2, Harley Puruntatameri, Ross Tungatalum
GAME ANALYSIS
After both teams went down in Round 1, the Tahs were able to come out of their Round 2 clash with a comprehensive win over the Bombers at TIO Stadium.
Umpiring veteran, Simon Walker tossed the coin before the game, which started off with a nice show of respect by both teams who marked the first 38 seconds with no play and silence, to honour the former number 38 player from the Tiwi Bombers who recently passed. And at the restart it was his team who fired quickly, with the first centre clearance and a great goal to Dion Munkara. Lachlan Collihole slotted a beautiful set shot to get the Tahs firing, which was followed up by Sam Weddell outside the 50. Raven Joliffe and Cameron Barrett added the next two goals for the Tahs.
The Tahs built on their positive start to the game. Lachlan Collihole kicked three goals, taking his tally to four with Sam Weddell the other goal kicker in the second quarter. The Tahs had good numbers around the ball and were cleaner, while the Bombers defenders worked hard to keep themselves in it and despite the score line their pace still looked the better of the two teams. Milestone man and captain, Paddy Heenan also did his best to lift his side in his 150th Men’s Premier League match with Norman Pangiraminni and Ross Tungatalum also scoring majors in the second term.
At the three quarter time huddle the Bombers coach, Brenton Toy implored his players to not give up on the effort. In his first game for the Tahs Raven Jolliffe had strong hands and kicked his second goal for the game, while Brendon Minkulk, originally from Jabiru, kicked his first Men’s Premier League goal and big Zach Westerberg an awesome chase and tackle on the wing. Dion Munkara was a bright spark for his team but the number of conversions let the Bombers down.
It was comprehensive four-quarter effort by the Tahs, with Sam Godden adding his name to the goal kickers in the final term, booting two while Lachlan Collihole taking his game tally to five. Waratah finished with ten individual goal scorers to the Bombers’ four. Big American Alex Aurrichio looked the goods all day, giving the Tahs players first-use of the ball and even slotting a shot from the boundary to end the game.
Game 2
Southern Districts 0.4 2.9 10.10 17.13 (115)
St Mary’s 1.3 3.4 4.8 6.10 (46)
GOALS
Southern Districts: Shane Thorne 4, Leroy Jetta 4, Timothy Brook 2, Michael Mummery 2, Darren Abbott, Clinton Gallio, Charles McAdam, Brandon Rusca, Izaac Wyatt
St Mary’s: Jordan Cullen, Mathias Liddy, Nathaniel Paredes, Chris Parris, Simon Richardson, Nicholas Yarran
GAME ANALYSIS
In a 22-man effort the Crocs did what they knew how to and ran over the top of the Saints on Saturday afternoon.
It was a low scoring opening quarter with hardly any stoppages due to play being highly contested. Both teams missed gettable opportunities early and the first goal wasn’t scored until the 14th minute-mark when Simon Richardson gathered the ball in the goal square and had a quick snap on his left foot.
Early in the second quarter a free kick handed to Shane Thorne resulted in a goal for the Crocs but the Saints had other plans with a quick reply from Chris Parris to put the green and gold back in the game. Then Nick Yarran extended their lead to 10 points when he kicked truly from a 50m penalty. It was then an arm wrestle around the ground before Shane Thorne scored his second goal ahead of the big break.
It was all Districts in the third term, led by Clinton Gallio who asserted himself in the middle. An early break through the defensive line saw Leroy Jetta score in the first 90 seconds to put the Crocs up before Gallio’s hard work hit up Shane Thorne for his third goal. By the forth minute the Crocs were up by 11 points and their desperate efforts in defence kept their chances alive. Michael Mummery produced a silky curler which was his first for the Crocs since the 2015/16 season and Jetta marked the ball in the goal square and converted and followed it up with another goal from closer to the boundary. Extending the Crocs lead was out to 26-points. A snap from Jimmy McMurtrie gave the Saints hope but enter Thorne who kicked his fourth major and Mummery with his second before Brandon Rusca slotted one from the 50 after the siren.
The final term continued much the same way as the third, and even though the Saints were better able to capitalise on their opportunities in the end the Crocs ran away with the game providing they’ve still got what it takes.
Game 3
Wanderers 2.5 3.6 4.6 5.10 (40)
Darwin Buffaloes 1.3 5.6 7.7 14.8 (92)
GOALS
Wanderers: Fejo Keelan, Joel Jeffrey, Marlon Motlop, Shannon Motlop, Joseph Salmon
Darwin Buffaloes: Jackson Clark 3, Adam Sambono 3, Steven Anderson 2, Lindsay Thomas 2, Christopher Williams 2, Jalen Clarke, Jarrod Stokes
GAME ANALYSIS
What a win it was for Darwin in the end who ran out 52-point winners over Wanderers.
Darwin gained the ascendancy early in the game with former AFL player Lindsay Thomas lively in the forward line. Steven Anderson kicked the first for Darwin, before both teams' defences held strong with plenty of intercept marks. However, Wanderers managed to break through Darwin's defence towards the end of the quarter and kicked two goals through Shannon Motlop and Keelan Fejo.
It was looking like it was going to be a very defensive game before the match opened up with a flurry of goals from the 15-minute mark of the second quarter. Darwin kicked three through Jarrod Stokes, Jackson Clark and Chris Williams before a brilliant piece of play ended with a great goal for Wanderers from 50 metres out. Sam Christie weaved through Darwin players before kicking to Marcus Totham who then passed to Marlon Motlop who finished it off with a goal. Adam Sambono kicked the last goal in the quarter to give Darwin a two-goal lead ahead of the second half.
In the third quarter the Buffs took control of the game kicking four goals to one. The double blues managed to find plenty of space around the ground whilst applying plenty of pressure on the Muk Muks. Sam Christie of Wanderers was hit heavily when he was sandwiched in a marking contest, but he managed to walk off the ground with the help of trainers. Adam Sambono, Chris Williams, Jackson Clark and Lindsay Thomas were Darwin's goalkickers for the third term, while Joel Jeffrey kicked one for Wanderers.
In the final term both sides managed to get plenty of the ball as the sting went out of the game and the match became more free flowing. The forward line for Darwin continued to be potent with goals to Lindsay Thomas (2), Jackson Clark, Jalen Clarke and Steven Anderson. Joseph Salmon was Wanderers' sole goal kicker for the quarter. It was a comprehensive win for the Buffs in the end who shined in every part of the ground.
Game 4
Nightcliff 5.1 10.6 14.9 22.9 (141)
Palmerston 0.2 2.5 5.7 8.8 (56)
GOALS
Nightcliff: Trent Melville 5, Matthew Bricknell 3, Cameron Ilett 3, Wade Derksen 2, Liam Holt-Fitz 2, James Tsitas 2, Jess Budarick, James Faron, Jonathan Peris, Daniel Reeve, Shaun Wilson
Pamerston: Ezekial Frank 2, Jesse Marshall 2, Samuel Autio, Alwyn Davey, Samual Talbot, Aaron Lonergan
GAME ANALYSIS
About 200 people converged onto PSC Nightcliff Oval before the Nightcliff and Palmerston game to link arms and say no more to family violence. NO MORE Campaign AU’s Charlie King was joined by both clubs’ Premier League and Division 1 teams and around 200 motorcycle riders in a huge chain of people before Minister Natasha Fyles, Member for Nightcliff tossed the coin for the match.
It was the Tigers who came out firing in their first home game of the season kicking five unanswered goals in the opening term. But it was Cameron Ilett's goal that hurt the most when he kicked it after the siren much to his teammates delight. Big Matthew Dennis was trying hard for the Magpies but his team seemed to have no answer for the rampaging Tigers.
The Tiger train continued in the second quarter, slamming on seven goals to two. Liam Holt-Fitz, Cameron Ilett and Matthew Bricknell were all multiple goal scorers for the Tigers with the team also having a number of individual scorers as well. While Ezekiel Frank and Sam Autio were the Magpies only goal kickers during the second quarter.
In a fairly even third term the Tigers kicked four goals to the Magpies’ three in good signs for the away team. However it was a big ask to come back from the nine goals Nightcliff had on them heading in to the final term. Tiger, Trent Melville and Magpie Nigel Lockyer had an enthralling battle in the Nightcliff goal square.
In a dominant display on home soil the Tigers sealed themselves an 85-point victory over Palmerston. Cameron Ilett was outstanding for the Tigers and Trent Melville finished with five goals while Matt Dennis was best for the Magpies trying hard all day and having a great ruck duel against Jono Miles. Ezekiel Frank and Sam Autio both finished with two goals each.
