NTFL Round 7 Wrapup

BY – JACKSON CLARK

TWITTER – @jclark182

Palmerston has given club legend Alwyn Davey a milestone match to remember with a 54-point win over Wanderers at Northline Oval on Sunday. It was the Magpies’ third win in a row as the home side cruised to a 20.14 (134) to 12.8 (80) win in front of a vocal crowd. The former Bombers star celebrated his 100^th game in fine style with a clear best on ground performance, which produced five goals from the midfield. Jamie Damaso was superb in a lockdown role on the competition’s leading goal kicker in Thomas Motlop, while big man Matt Dennis proved he could be one of the most valuable players in the league with his agility around the ground.

Southern Districts put an end to Nightcliff’s six-game unbeaten run with a 31-point win in the late game at TIO Stadium on Saturday. The Tigers looked impressive early on in the piece and looked destined to record its seventh win of the season. But the Crocs dug deep to even up the contest in the second and third quarters before running away with the match in the last. The Tigers were hurt by the late withdrawals of star performers Gibson Turner and Brandon Parfitt, but both sides still have plenty of talent due back. Lionel Ogden was terrific with his run and carry from the backline and he rebounded well all game. Tyler Jones proved he is equally comfortably down back as he is up forward with his shut-down role on Damian Cupido. Jones nullified Cupido’s influence on the match and won a couple of crucial one-on-one contests. Ryan Nyhuis and Jayden Kickett battled hard in Nightcliff’s defence.

It is happy times at the Buffaloes with the double-blues recording its second consecutive win with a 52-point triumph over Waratah. The match was essentially a celebration of Andrew McLeod’s football career and it is rumoured that the weekend’s game could be the AFL champion’s last. The next generation of Buffaloes stars were again on show. Tim Eldridge has led from the front all season and Saturday was no exception with another close to best on ground effort. Michael Hagan was solid while some more familiar names in Matt Campbell and McLeod provided invaluable leadership for their side’s younger brigade.

St Marys won the Gregory-Wonaeamirri Cup with an 84-point win over Tiwi Bombers in hot conditions in the early game at TIO Stadium. A dominant 13-goal last quarter by the reigning premiers was essentially the difference between the two sides in what to that point was a close match. AFL champion Stephen Milne finished the good work of the midfielders and booted a lazy ten goals. Cameron Ilett continued his phenomenal start to the season while Shannon Rioli won plenty of clearances from the middle and finished exceptionally well by foot. The big win puts St Marys back on top of the ladder.