Waratah coach Rick Nolan faces his former team tonight in a clash against St Marys at Gardens Oval in Round four of the 2024/25 TIO NTFL Season. The Warriors’ start to the season has been inconsistent, but they'll be eager to put in a strong performance on home turf.
St Marys juggernaut continues to roll on after enjoying a faultless start to the season. Dual Nichols Medallist Dylan Landt has been in superb form, coming off a 34-disposal, two-goal effort in last weekend's win over PINT. Waratah will need to find a way to curb the influence of in-form forward Jackson Calder, who threatened to kick a bag last week but was let down by inaccurate finishing.
Palmerston squares off against Wanderers in one of the round's most intriguing matchups. Despite only winning one game in the past 600 days, the Magpies enter the clash as favourites against a youthful and inexperienced Eagles side.
Mark Tyrrell's men responded emphatically after a heavy loss in their season opener, demolishing Darwin Buffaloes last Friday. Standout performances from Victorian duo Nayef Hamad and Tristan Waack, along with midfield dynamo Cam Nyko, steered the win. Former Essendon player Nick Hind presents as a huge inclusion for the ‘Pies.
However, the Eagles, coming off a bye, are not without a chance and have shown promising signs despite a challenging start to the season. The addition of Billy Crofts strengthens their line-up as they target this match as a potential victory.
The Tiwi Bombers' fairy tale start to the season came to a halt last Friday with a loss to Southern Districts, and they'll be aiming to bounce back against the winless Darwin Buffaloes.
The Buffaloes, meanwhile, are looking to restore pride and confidence after a heavy defeat to Palmerston. They’ve shown glimpses of their best football this season and will be keen to deliver a stronger, more consistent performance.
The Bombers welcome back ex-Richmond player Marlion Pickett, while the Buffaloes are set to make at least half a dozen changes, with several players ruled out due to injury and unavailability.
PINT have struggled to find their rhythm early in the season, hampered by injuries and player absences. They face another tough challenge on Saturday against the undefeated Southern Districts, who sit atop the NTFL ladder.
Crocs’ star midfielder Jed Anderson has been one of the standout performers in the competition, building on his recent premiership success with Hoppers Crossing in Melbourne’s Western Region Football League. Steven Motlop continues to find plenty of the footy, while Jarrod Brander has been a dangerous option up forward.
