World Footy News

A battle royale looms in the Northern Territory Football League over the remaining two rounds of the 2014/15 season. With the “Call To Arms” round being played this weekend, Round 17, that just leaves this weekend and next for teams to jostle for positions for the finals.

Currently three teams – the Tiwi Bombers (4th), Palmerston Magpies (5th) and last year’s grand finalists Wanderers (6th) are each locked on 32 points. Only two of them can make the finals, and the cull starts today.

Perennial league leaders, St Mary’s, still hold top spot safely, three and a half games clear of any rival. Nightcliff and Southern Districts hold second and third spots, though both had a case of the wobbles last weekend. Nightcliff crashed badly, thrashed by Saints. Southern District made their job harder losing to bottom placed Waratah. They are probably safe though, a game clear of the pursuing three.

For Buffaloes and Waratah, their seasons end next weekend. Neither can reach the finals.

That leaves the log jam for fourth and fifth places and it will be exciting. First up is the battle between fourth and fifth today with Tiwi taking on Palmerston. The winner will play finals. The loser will have to fight like the devil to win their final round clash. Palmerston plays fellow finals hopeful, Wanderers. Tiwi Bombers have the toughest game playing flag favourites, St Mary’s.

Wanderers, currently sixth, have a huge task. They need to beat second placed Nightcliff, then fellow contender Palmerston. They will likely need to win both to make it. A tough ask due to a poor percentage.

The run home to any finals series if laced with excitement and expectation, but when there is a three way race to the finish for finals berths it adds even more interest. Of course, once the finals begin miracles can happen. The best team on the day goes forward, regardless of home and away results. One magical run from any of the teams in contention can take them all the way.

St Mary’s might well be a deserving favourite now, but there are still five other clubs who would like to have a say about that.