NTFL 2023-24: Watch Waratah vs Southern Districts Round 1 livestream

Reigning premiers Waratah have sent an opening round statement on the back of their new-look forward line, including a six-goal showing from a big recruit. WATCH THE REPLAY.

Reigning premiers Waratah revealed an exciting, new-look forward line in a dominant opening round victory against a strong Southern Districts outfit.

The grand final rematch was a chance for both sides to send a statement early in the year, as both made major moves in the off-season.

However, it was Waratah who had the better of the occasion showing off their youth, while former Essendon Bomber Anthony Munkara scored six goals in the 19.12 (126) to 5.8 (38) win.

Tahs’ ruck Arnold Kirby had the ascendancy in the ruck, in the absence of Districts’ Matt Dennis, to give his midfield first use of the ball at centre bounce.

Captain Brodie Carroll and Ed Morris were quick to grab the ball, though the quality of Districts’ own midfield, as well as their back line including Matthew Mazzini held them at bay.

It was when young gun Dwayne Kerinaiua made a break that Tah’s were finally able to show their X-factor, and he was the first to get a shot at goal.

And though his kick went off angle the ball found its way to Munkara, sitting deep, who was able to receive and make a quick snap at goal for the opening score.

Anthony Munkara kicked six goals in his debut for Waratah against Southern Districts in the 2023-24 NTFL season. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

The pair alongside Timothy Kerinaiua and prolific goal scorer Jayden Magro got plenty of the ball early on, however kicks going astray let Districts off early on.

Waratah were more direct in the second and came away with two quick scores from Munkara and Kerinaiua to cement the first half lead.

Districts had their chance on the back of some interplay between Ronald Fejo and former AFL player Jed Anderson to get in their own forward 50.

And though the chance didn’t result in much it did give the side some inspiration, and Anderson in particular got busy kicking deep to burn the Tahs’ defence and allow Brodie Grace the side’s first.

Roy George was another to take on the kick-long trick and again the tactic worked exposing a pushed-up Waratah defence to gift Dylan Barry a score.

However, despite Districts finding more parity in the middle half for every good thing they did Waratah had a response.

Abe Ankers built his way and showed the form which saw him win the best and fairest in the CAFL earlier in the year, supplying ball to his forwards or making deep runs of his own.

Jed Anderson playing for Southern Districts against Waratah in the 2023-24 NTFL season. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

Not to be kept out of the game, Magro finally had his goal in the final quarter getting time on the ball on the back of forward pressure from his side.

He became a real target late on as Districts fell away in the evening heat kicking his second within a minute, and a third not long after.

And to cap off the win as Waratah sailed past the 120 point margin was star recruit Munkara who had himself a goal in each quarter.

“It’s really fulfilling to get the win, they were missing a few, but so were we, so we will take the win but it’s week by week at the moment,” Carroll said.

“I think this is the most excited I’ve been to play for Waratah, our under-18s won the premiership last year and the boys from there look unreal and we have Munkara as one of our big recruits.

“As soon as we found out we had him the boys were over the moon, he’s an absolute freak and we’re very happy to have him on our team instead of playing against him.

“Kirby gave us first use with them missing Dennis, and our midfield were able to capitalise delivering to our small forwards, who were just absolutely unreal.”

Score:

Districts: 0.1 2.2 5.6 5.8 (38)

Waratah: 3.5 8.6 11.8 19.12 (126)

Goals:

Districts:

Brodie Grace 2

Jagar Cockatoo 2

Dylan Barry

Waratah:

Anthony Munkara 6

Dwayne Kerinaiua 4

Jayden Magro 3

Arnold Kirby

Samuel Kenna

Lachlan Cassidy

Brodie Carroll

Robby Bartee

Abe Ankers

Best:

Districts:

Jed Anderson

Matthew Mazzini

Michael Bowden

Roy George

Dean Staunton

Waratah:

Anthony Munkara

Arnold Kirby

Ed Morris

Brodie Carroll

Abe Ankers

LIVESTREAM PREVIEW

Reigning premiers Waratah will take on Southern Districts in what promises to be a bumper grand final rematch to get the 2023-24 NTFL season under way.

And the NT News and KommunityTV will be there to stream every moment of the spectacle from 8pm Friday.

Waratah were the side who triumphed in last year’s grand final pulling away in the final quarter to win 10.10 (70) to 7.10 (52) to end their 23-year drought.

Waratah will take on Southern Districts in the opening game of the 2023-24 NTFL season. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

Now they’re the side with the target on their backs and will hope their early season contingent are prepared to get the job done in Round 1.

However, Districts have been one of the big movers of the off-season bringing in a group of new faces including former AFL players Jed Anderson and Jarrod Brander.

Experienced heads and young talent will also be on show for both sides in what promises to be a thrilling beginning to the season.

Full replays of the match will be posted here following the game’s finish.

The NT News and AFL Northern Territory have come together in a partnership to livestream both the Men’s and Women’s Premier League games for this TIO NTFL season.

Originally published as NTFL 2023-24: Watch Waratah vs Southern Districts Round 1 livestream