World Footy News

The Tiwi Bombers’ charge to the NTFL finals gathered even more momentum as the competition returned after the Christmas/New year break. Their big win over Waratah was one highlight of a round which produced two upsets and left the competition tight for finals action just six rounds from finals time.

Waratah led their game against the Bombers at quarter time, and even by half time were down by just 29 points. But the Tiwi Bombers went on a rampage after the main break kicking 17 goals to just one to run out 130 point victors against the hapless Waratah crew. The win strengthened Tiwi’s position in the top five, giving them their sixth win, but also a huge percentage which will be very important as the log jam for finals spot continues in coming weeks.

Final Score: Tiwi Bombers 27 16 178 d Waratah Warriors 7 6 48

The chance to celebrate club legend Iggy Vallejo’s record breaking 315th game for St Mary’s, and the chance to secure top spot still weren’t enough incentive to hold Wanderers Eagles at bay. In a low scoring game, Wanderers needed a win to keep pace with the other prospective finalists. Having lost three of their previous four matches, Wanderers were at great risk of falling too far behind the other finals contenders, and a loss to St Mary’s would have seen them in a worse dilemma. But a courageous display saw then graft a narrow win in a match where the margin was always close. Wanderers are certainly back, but need to keep winning if they hope to defendd their premiership title.

Final Score: Wanderers Eagles 7 9 51 d St Mary’s Saints 6 12 48

Southern Districts returned to the top of the ladder with a solid win against the Nightcliff Tigers. However, the game wasn’t all one way as the young Tigers kept the pressure on until well into the game, trailing by just three points at three-quarter time. It took a disciplined final quarter to see the Crocs gradually pull away from the determined Tigers. Whilst the win sees the crocs back on top, the defeat for the Tigers drops them a game behind the other teams fighting for a place in the top five.

Final Score: Southern District Crocs 12 9 81 d Nightcliff Tigers 8 9 57

The Sunday game was a chance for the Darwin Buffaloes to get their season back into a winning rhythm, and with a two goal lead at half time they had set a platform for victory. But the Palmerston Magpies had other ideas, needing a win of their own to stay in the top five. Their 10 goal to six second half was spirited and sent a strong message to other campaigners that the Magpies are still well and truly in the finals mix. The Darwin Buffaloes now just sit a game ahead of the Bombers, Magpies and Eagles and need to find a couple of wins to keep the other teams at bay.

Final Score: Palmerston Magpies 17 12 114 d Darwin Buffaloes 15 6 96

Round 13 will see Nightcliff tackle Wanderers, the Tiwi Bombers clash with the resurgent Palmerston, Waratah will meet St Mary’s and the Southern District Crocs will battle the Darwin Buffaloes in perhaps the match of the round.