NTFL Wrap: Round 17

NTFL Premier League Wrap-Up for Round 17:

BY – JACKSON CLARK

It was a lopsided round of NTFL football this week with a number of one-sided games on Saturday.

Waratah cemented its spot in the top five with a comprehensive 41-point win over Tiwi Bombers in the early game of a double-header at Gardens Oval. Once again it was the lack of defensive effort from the Bombers that ultimately killed them. With a number of handy inclusions before the match, the Bombers were heavily fancied by most of the NTFL tipsters. But their disappointing performance on the weekend was an indication of how their season has gone this year. The loss means that the Bombers will miss the finals for the first time in its history. After a competitive opening term Waratah kicked away in the second term to take a small lead into the half time break. The Warriors maintained this lead and at three quarter time led by 19 points. The will to win was much stronger for the home side and their superior fitness led to a 19.13 (127) to 13.10 (88) victory. Harley Puruntatameri, in his first game in the Premier League in almost a month, put his hand up for finals selection with a seven-goal effort. He was supported well by fellow small forwards Paddy Heenan and Jake Farrell who combined for six goals.

Sixth-placed Palmerston dominated its match against Wanderers to record a 92-point win in the second game at Gardens Oval. When looking at the result alone, it seems like a massive upset but the Eagles side was without up to 15 of its best players. That is taking nothing away from the young Magpies who did everything that was asked of them by coach Dean Rioli. Resting so many players on the eve of the finals is an interesting tactic in mirrors that of what Fremantle coach Ross Lyon did this year in the AFL. There was plenty riding on this match from a Magpies perspective with a win keeping its finals chances alive. But the Waratah win earlier in the day means that it will take a miracle for Palmerston to push into the top five.

A strong Nightcliff side was simply far too good for Buffaloes at BM Insurance Oval on Saturday. The Tigers are steamrolling home in the lead up to the finals and the 130-point win was no exception. Just like recent weeks the Buffaloes came out hard in the opening term and the scores were level at quarter time. But from then on it was all one way traffic as Nightcliff took complete control of the match. In what is a promising sign for the future of the club, most of the Tigers’ best performers in the first half were its younger brigade and in particular Lachlan McKenzie and Kayle Kossack. In only his fourth game of the year Matt Rowe kicked seven goals and will be a valuable player in this season’s final series for the Tigers.

St Marys produced one of its best performances of the season winning by 96 points against Southern Districts at Norbuilt Oval on Saturday. The Saints put in an impressive four-quarter performance against a relatively strong Districts side. The Crocs were hurt by the late withdrawals of Jared Brennan and Richard Tambling but still fancied themselves a chance. The first 30 minutes of football was an even contest with neither side able to break away. Damian Cupido was clean below his knees and finished well in front of goal while Des Headland played with the usual class that you would expect from a former number one draft pick. But at about the ten minute mark of the second quarter the Saints kicked into gear to kick six late goals in the second quarter. The onslaught continued in the second half with St Marys outscoring the Crocs 12 goals to four. Cameron Ilett was superb with his strength in the contest and skill execution a feature of his game. Peter Macfarlane, who was well held the last time the two sides met, kicked five goals and took a couple of pack crashing marks.

Leading Goals:

59 – Justin Van Unen (St Marys)

51 – Troy Taylor (Southern Districts)

45 – Damian Cupido (Southern Districts)

45 – Peter Macfarlane (St Marys)

38 – Shane Thorne (Wanderers)

 

Ladder:

POS TEAM P W L D B F A % PTS
1 St Marys 17 16 0 0 1 2011 976 206.05 64
2 Wanderers 17 13 3 0 1 1480 1202 123.13 52
3 Nightcliff 17 10 6 0 1 1592 1230 129.43 40
4 Southern Districts 17 8 7 1 1 1368 1303 104.99 34
5 Waratah 17 7 9 0 1 1188 1382 85.96 28
6 Palmerston 17 6 10 0 1 1242 1540 80.65 24
7 Tiwi Bombers 17 4 11 1 1 1547 1789 86.47 18
8 Buffaloes 17 2 14 0 1 984 1765 55.75 8

 

TWITTER – @JClark182

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About Jackson Clark

Born and bred in Darwin, Northern Territory, I am a young, aspiring football writer that lives and breathes the game of Australian Football. I'm also a keen player and coach.

Comments

  1. Richard Jones says

    jackson …. Have u seen any of these Bendigo FL players in action this season?

    Tim Martin and Jon Coghlan [both Sandhurst F.C.]. and David Taylor of Castlemaine.

    Martin is around 6 ft 6 ins. and the 2013 Bgo FNL Michelsen Medallist. Taylor is a little bloke — in and under midfielder.
    Coghlan is more of an outside midfielder.i

  2. Jackson Clark says

    Yeah mate. I think Martin has only played one or two games this season. From memory he was serviceable but it is hard to judge after only one game.

    Coghlan has been playing Division One (Reserves) for Nightcliff recently but played a bit of Premier League earlier in the season.

    Not sure about Taylor, who is he playing for?

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