2025-26 NTFL live stream: Watch Nightcliff Tigers v Tiwi Bombers in Round 1
The Nightcliff Tigers have claimed the first win of the new NTFL season over a willing but inaccurate Tiwi Bombers Watch the full replay for FREE.
The Nightcliff Tigers were steered by their three-time Nichols medal winning captain as they scored the first win of the 2025-26 season against a willing but inaccurate Tiwi outfit.
Nightcliff had ended Tiwi’s hopes in last year’s finals series and with plenty of faces with off-season successes were able to put their tails up, but the Bombers made them work for it.
There was plenty of the expected rustiness which comes with a season opener, but the skills were there and once kicks straightened Tigers had a lead they held to an 11.11 (77) to 8.16 (64) win.
Boom recruit former Adelaide Crow Rory Atkins took up plenty of the talk ahead of the match and while he settled into Top End footy it was captain Brodie Filo who controlled the occasion.
The captain won his third NTFL best and fairest last season and gave himself a chance at early votes as he put on a clinic in ball use from the middle and managed to at times stay unmarked.
Kye Declase was another to impress on his return to Top End footy after being named in the VFL team of the year kicking three crucial majors, particularly his first which came when goals were a costly commodity.
The Bombers were inaccurate too but at their potent best were able to move the ball brilliantly from their back line with Sam Darley to a forward line full of pace.
There the likes of Anthony Munkara, Brendan Kantilla and a back flipping Frances Tipungwuti were able to spark some excitement with some breathtaking goals.
Tigers broke the game open coming out of half time when returning junior and previously AFL listed Jack Peris showed his pace in the lead up to a goal that came just 25 seconds out of the break.
They piled on the scores from there with Peter Politis one to stand up coming out of the middle while Boyd Bailey also had a scoring influence.
The Bombers did have their purple patch with Filo on the bench late in the third and were able to kick three straight taking plenty of confidence into the final term.
Their pace increased through those later stages and despite the score line they were still in the contest particularly as Munkara increased his work rate.
New recruits Nigel Lockyer, formerly of St Mary’s, and brothers Anzac Lochowiak and Mihail Lochowiak provided plenty of impetus but the scoreboard pressure wasn’t there.
The Tigers were able to do just enough with a clutch Politis effort late among those to keep the balance in their favour to the final siren.
“We have a massive bunch of new blokes against a strong Tiwi side with plenty of new recruits who are going to be good again this year, so it was a great one to win,” Politis said.
“We’ve had a really good preseason so we knew come the final quarter we would still be running and as we started kicking straighter we were alright.
“At the moment it’s just about getting the team connection, we had about nine new guys so the more we play together the better we will be.
“Rory was one and you could see his quality straight away, chuck him anywhere and he will win the ball, that’s the AFL quality and we love having guys like that in the team.”
Score:
Nightcliff: 1.4 4.7 9.9 11.11 (77)
Bombers: 1.3 3.7 7.10 8.16 (64)
Goals:
Nightcliff:
Kye Declase 3, Boyd Bailey 3, Jay Moody 2, Peter Politis 2, Charlie Piergrosse, Mitchell Trewhella
Bombers:
Brendan Kantilla 2, Anthony Munkara 2, Jacob Brown, Jack Steel, Justin Puruntatameri, Frances Tipungwuti
Best:
Nightcliff:
Brodie Filo, Peter Politis, Boyd Bailey, Kye Declase, Rory Atkins
Bombers:
Nigel Lockyer, Ashton Hams, Anzac Lochowiak, Sam Darley, Brendan Kantilla
PREVIEW
A three-club AFL journeyman looks set to provide a late boost to the Nightclifff Tigers ahead of Thursday night’s NTFL season opener against the Tiwi Bombers.
The Tigers and Bombers will be the first to run out at TIO Stadium to tip off what promises to be a stellar NTFL season full of local standouts and big name inclusions.
Every moment of the blockbuster clash will be live streamed from 7.15pm by The NT News and KommunityTV as part of our season-long coverage.
For the Bombers, it will be an early chance to get some revenge against the side who knocked them out in the qualifying final last season, while Nightcliff will want to push on.
And the Tigers have sent the first warning shot with the late announcement of former 100-gamer Crow Rory Atkins, who more recently spent time on Gold Coast’s and Port Adelaide’s lists.
Now retired, he’s linked up with Nightcliff with the intent of playing finals alongside former St Kilda listed Jack Peris, Geelong premiership player Brandan Parfitt and new recruit Bryon Pickett Jr.
Atkins comes up to join his good mate Blake Launer who he played with in Adelaide, and after a year around the Territory guys at the Suns was keen to get up to the NTFL.
Nightcliff coach Leigh Crossman said Atkins had been excited to get to play footy at the local level and was eager to stick around to quality for finals.
“He’s a quality person who came down to training and embraced the Nightcliff way,” Crossman said.
“Blake is a good friend of his so we inquired about him coming up and he was super keen to do it and play as many games as he can to qualify for finals.
“He’s keen to fit in, be a part of what we’re trying to do and just be a part of it after being on a list for so long playing footy with a bit of freedom and fun excites him.”
Kye Declase also rejoins the Tigers after a standout season with the Boxhill Hawks where he was named in the VFL team of the year.
The Tigers are known for their strong defensive set-up but have plenty of players who know how to push the ball forward, none more so than three-time best and fairest Brodie Filo.
If there’s one team in the NTFL who know how to bring the excitement it’s the Tiwi Bombers and this year they’re packing the returning Willie Rioli Jr in their arsenal.
But he won’t be the only one to keep an eye on as human highlight reel Anthony Munkara, the ever-exciting team leader Kim Kantilla and their host of young up-and-comers.
This match kickstarts the opening round of the NTFL to be followed on Friday by the grand final rematch between Southern Districts and St Mary’s, each with their own big names.
Foundation club Wanderers and the Darwin Buffaloes will clash on Saturday both eager to surge up the table after some down year.
And then on Sunday Waratah, who Dane Swan will play for in Round 3, and PINT will face-off with the Palmerston Magpies on a bye round.
A replay of the clash will be available to watch post-game.The NT News and AFL Northern Territory have come together in a partnership to live stream both the men’s and women’s Premier League games for this TIO NTFL season.
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