World Footy News

The race for top spot is already gathering steam after just four rounds of the NTFL season in Darwin. Southern Districts, Wanderers and St Mary’s each have three wins and are narrowly ahead of Nightcliff, Palmerston and Darwin Buffaloes on two apiece. It sets the scene for a torrid few weeks headed towards the Christmas/New Year Break in December.

The weekend matches were highlighted by a slashing game between previously undefeated Southern Districts and Wanderers. The Crocs led after a five goal first quarter and held the lead at half time by nine points. But in a spirited second half, wanderers found the extra gear to get ahead and hold of the determined crocs, running out three point winners in yet another result decided this season by less than a goal. Two of those were losses for Wanderers (by three points to St Mary’s and two points to Buffaloes), so the result was a huge relief for last year’s premiers.

Final score: Wanderers 13 10 88 d Southern Districts 13 7 85

Buffaloes kept their recent rich vein of form going with a 23 point win against the Tiwi Bombers. Trailing at quarter time, the Buffaloes put together an excellent second quarter to gain control of the match and from there held the Bombers at bay. The loss for the Tiwi Bombers sees them on the bottom of the ladder winless and will need to find something very quickly if they hope to reach the finals.

Final score: Buffaloes 17 23 125 d Tiwi Bombers 15 12 102

St Mary’s lost the first and final quarters in their match against the improved Palmerston Magpies. But what they did in between was impressive as they kicked nine goals to four and effectively put the game away. Both teams went in to the game on two wins, so the 21 point victory for Saints buys them some breathing space.

Final score: St Mary’s 13 10 88 d Palmerston 10 7 67

The Sunday match between Nightcliff and Waratah was effectively over by half time after the Nightcliff Tigers hammered home 18 scoring shots (9 goals, 9 behinds) to one during a rampaging second quarter. The Tigers won every quarter en route to a 115 point victory, placing them in fourth place but more importantly boosting their percentage which will help later in the season.

Final score: Nightcliff 20 19 139 d Waratah 3 6 24

Next week’s matches will see a huge clash between Saints and Crocs while the Tiwi Bombers will host Wanderers in a game they must win. Palmerston take on Waratah and the Buffaloes will tackle Nightcliff.