World Footy News

The final round of the NTFL home and away season today decide the 2014/15 finalists, but also left question marks hanging over the longevity of some of those teams contesting.

After the Round 18 matches completed today, St Mary’s found themselves four and a half games clear on top of the ladder – miles ahead of their nearest rivals, Southern District. Their emphatic 107 point win over fellow finals aspirants, Tiwi Bombers, further confirmed their premiership status in their quest for a three peat effort. For the Tiwi Bombers, they will need to regroup very quickly before their elimination final next week against Wanderers.

St Marys 20 20 140 d Tiwi Bombers 5 3 33

Wanderers, last year’s grand finalists, defied the pundits after two consecutive losses to beat Palmerston and snare fifth place. They will now take on Tiwi in the Elimination Final with a momentum they had lost but is now reignited at the right time. For Palmerston, their campaign came to a crushing end after having stayed in the finals race until the final round.
Wanderers 11 13 79 d Palmerston 9 8 62

Southern District and Nightcliff fought for placing rights as both were likely to play in the qualifying final anyway. But the battle became a pointer as to who had the best chance of scuttling St Marys. Southern District has now firmed as second favourite for the flag by hammering Nightcliff by 80 points. The pair will play each other again next weekend with Nightcliff needing a massive turnaround and change of fortune.

Southern District 23 15 153 d Nightcliff 11 7 73

The final match of the round saw Waratah taking on Buffaloes. Neither could reach the finals, and Waratah could not get off the bottom of the ladder regardless of the result, but victory would be a positive way for either team to finish the year and build for next season. Waratah prevailed on the day, still claiming the wooden spoon but finishing the year on a high. Buffaloes had a better season than last but would have much preferred a last match win.

Waratah 11 14 80 d Buffaloes 10 5 65

So, next weekend will see St Marys with the week off to prepare for the semi-finals, whilst Palmerston, Buffaloes and Waratah can plan for next year.

Elimination Final – Tiwi Bombers v Wanderers

Qualifying Final – Southern District v Nightcliff