2025-26 NTFL live stream: Watch St Mary’s v Southern Districts in Round 1

Southern Districts showed off their impressive list but were made to work for their win in a thrilling Round 1 grand final rematch. Relive all the action in our full match REPLAY.

A star-studded Southern Districts side showed their capabilities but were made to work for their win in a thrilling grand final rematch against St Mary’s.

The Crocs revealed their much-talked about list in their Round 1 showdown but it was a match that proved both they and Saints will again be among the top sides for the season.

In what was very much a game where the balance seesawed back-and-forth where each quarter favoured a different side Districts eked out an 11.10 (76) to 9.10 (64) win.

Districts started last season with what many referred to as one of the best on paper Round 1 sides in NTFL history unveiling Steven Motlop to join an already packed side including Jed Anderson.

This time around would be in the same conversation as the Crocs added Quinton Narkle as well as two NT juniors Will Rowlands and Lloyd Johnston who were both recently with the Gold Coast.

Johnston was the shock last-minute inclusion after his delisting and while the expectation may have been a return to Wanderers he instead ended up at the star-studded Districts.

It was a battle of hard, contested footy and Districts were up for the fight with their stars showing plenty of aggression and putting Saints under-siege very quickly.

Wyatt Ryan was once again a colossus in the ruck while Matt Shannon starred out of the midfield fronting up well in the battle but more importantly playing a crucial linking role.

But however much they looked ready to burst clear they were never able to with the usual Saints standouts of captain Dylan Landt and Jack Landt standing tall when asked.

The skipper knocked through the first goal for the Green Machine and was a constant firing deep to feed his forwards including three-time leading goal scorer Jackson Calder.

However, the big man was well held out of the contest for large parts with Jordan Johnston and Brodie Lake playing key tagging roles on him.

Calder did his goal as Saints found some momentum late in the second quarter and as Kieran Mu and Ethan Bowden added scores of their own the side found themselves ahead.

It was a lead they lost directly after half time when Rowlands went back-to-back to bring his tally to three on his return to footy since his year with the Suns.

Crocs kept on to their lead from then on but a couple of Jack Landt goals and a long-distance shot from Luke Patterson kept Saints in the picture.

Former Brisbane Lions VFL player Curtis McCarthy impressed for Saints too while Matthew Green was a consistent trier on his return after a year out with injury.

But Narkle provided plenty of answers with his run and carry as well as a well-celebrated goal of his own supported by Motlop.

He helped the Crocs keep their noses in front, and when Beau Schwarze booted through with a great run against traffic Districts seemed to settle down with their lead enough to wait out the clock.

“First game of the season, we knew it was going to be scrappy early but we went at the contested footy knowing our bigger bodies would get us on top in the end,” Rowlands said.

“We got together at half time, really reset and forgot about the first half particularly that second quarter where were undisciplined, so we got together and really dug in to get the win.

“It’s always good to have hard games like this, these wins mean so much more than blowouts and we will build on this and continue to improve.

“For me it’s just a good feeling being on the track again, I’ve been out a whole year since being on the coast so to be back with the boys at my local club is great.

“We have some great AFL experience at the club and it’s just great for all the younger, local boys to have that around them to learn off.”

Score:

Saints: 1.1 5.4 6.6 9.10 (64)

Districts: 3.4 4.5 9.9 11.10 (76)

Goals:

Saints:

Dylan Landt 2, Jack Landt 2, Luke Patterson, Ethan Bowden, Mitch Musgrove, Jackson Calder, Kieran Mu

Districts:

Will Rowlands 3, Beau Schwarze 3, Steven Motlop 2, Matt Shannon, Quinton Narkle, Jed Anderson

Best:

Saints:

Dylan Landt, Matthew Green, Curtis McCarthy, Mitch Musgrove, Jack Landt

Districts:

Jordan Johnston, Brodie Lake, Matt Shannon, Will Rowlands, Quiton Narkle

PREVIEW

There will be no shortage of big name players ready to take centre stage in the NTFL grand final rematch when St Mary’s and Southern Districts renew hostilities.

Every moment of the blockbuster clash will be live streamed from 8pm on Friday by The NT News and KommunityTV as part of our season-long coverage.

WHY TO WATCH

Quinton Narkle will suit up for his first Top End match in Southern Districts colours after announcing his AFL retirement in August.

He lines up alongside a host of big names in the NTFL including Steven Motlop and Jed Anderson as the Crocs look geared up to make a statement.

St Mary's captain Dylan Landt and Southern Districts captain Michael Bowden ahead of the 2025-26 NTFL season. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

Premier ruck and last year’s Chaney medal winner Wyatt Ryan returns too as does club junior Will Rowlands, who spent time on Gold Coast’s list.

St Mary’s will be eager for some revenge with two-time Nichols medal winning captain Dylan Landt most keen to lead his side to another successful season.

He’s joined by three-time league leading goal kicker Jackson Calder, known goal sneak Jack Landt and the defensive powerhouse Matthew Green, who returns post injury.

A replay of the clash will be available to watch post-game.

HOW TO WATCH

The NT News, KommunityTV 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.

On game day, the live stream for this match will appear at the top of this story in the lead up to the first bounce.

To find other games from this round click the links in the schedule box above.

Alternatively you can head to www.kommunitytv.com.au and use the video player at the top of the site to watch all the action live and scroll through the most recent replays.

Only News Corp Australia full digital subscribers will have exclusive access to watch the action.

Originally published as 2025-26 NTFL live stream: Watch St Mary’s v Southern Districts in Round 1