World Footy News

It had been ten years since the Darwin Buffaloes had beaten St Mary’s. In between the Buffaloes had experienced some lean times whilst the Saints continued to set the bar high year in year out. To make this weekend’s round interesting, Saints sat in second place, needing to keep winning to have a chance at the minor premiership and a great position for the finals. The Buffaloes were on a horror streak of four consecutive losses. Their finals ambitions were unravelling fast.

The four goal to one first quarter was the difference in the end as the Buffaloes jumper early to make a stand and held that advantage for most of the game, running out 16 point winners but more importantly securing third place again and playing the bottom three sides in the run to the finals. The Buffaloes now have a say in their destiny.

Final Score: Darwin Buffaloes 14 15 99 d St Mary’s Saints 12 11 83
The Nightcliff Tigers sat in second last place and win behind the log jam for a top five place. But their courageous win against the Tiwi Bombers has kept them in the hunt. They are still a game out of the five, but with four rounds remaining, a young, enthusiastic team and a determination to prove doubters wrong, the Tigers could still, remarkably, make it.

Nightcliff set the game up in the first quarter with eight goals to two. From there the Tiwi Bombers kept fighting back but could never bridge the gap. The loss saw them fall a game outside the top five, equal now with Nightcliff, and will really need to fire again quickly to see finals action.

Final Score: Nightcliff Tigers 21 6 132 d Tiwi Bombers 18 14 122

Southern Districts Crocs secured top spot a month out from the finals with a solid win over the Palmerston Magpies. Once again it was the first quarter which set the tone for the match with the Crocs kicking five goals to two by quarter time. From there the Magpies, desperate to strengthen their finals claims, kept nagging the Crocs and clawing back. But the Crocs flexed their muscle in the final quarter to run out 30 point winners. Palmerston are now in a shaky position in the top five and will have to keep winning to keep others at bay.

Final Score: Southern Districts Crocs 12 13 85 d Palmerston Magpies 8 7 55

In the Australia Day match at Gardens Oval, Wanderers kept their finals assault going with a big win against Waratah. Their third win from three games since the season break sees Wanderers now in fifth place a game clear of rivals and a huge chance to repeat last year’s efforts of a fairy tale finish to defend their title. The 104 point win also helps their percentage, which will become extremely important as finals near with seven clubs still in the finals race.

Final Score: Wanderers Eagles 18 18 126 d Waratah Warriors 3 4 22

Next weekend’s round sees the top of the table clash as Southern Districts Crocs clash with St Mary’s. The Nightcliff Tigers take on the Darwin Buffaloes in an important match for both teams. Tiwi Bombers meet Wanderers and the Palmerston Magpies will do battle with the Waratah boys.