NTFL 2024-25 live stream: Watch Nightcliff Tigers v Tiwi Bombers men’s qualifying final

A dominating performance from Nightcliff has seen the Tigers comfortably account for Tiwi, but not before a delayed start threatened to start finals action off on the wrong note. Watch the REPLAY here.

The Nightcliff Tigers will march on to the major semi final after beating Tiwi on Friday night, in a match that had to be rescheduled more than an hour late due to lightning and torrential conditions.

Nightcliff came into the qualifying final with plenty of spark after their fly-in breach vindication, while Tiwi brought the typical intensity and pace they’re known for.

It made for an electric end-to-end start as torrential rain came down and thunder rumbled, and then almost as quickly as it started, three minutes in the players came off for a lightning delay.

Sean Hunter for the Nightcliff Tigers in the 2024-25 NTFL qualifying final against the Tiwi Bombers. Picture: Patch Clapp / AFLNT Media

Lightning flashed across the ground as the rain came down in sheets, but for those watching it was confusion as the delay went beyond the usual 30 minutes when a decision needs to be made.

Instead, the game was rescheduled, rather than resumed, more than an hour and 15 minutes after the initial start time meaning the match started from the coin toss once more.

A heavy surface and even heavier rain still pounding down made for an uncertain start on the scoring front, but eventually the Tigers took control to post a dominant 14.12 (96) to 3.5 (23) win.

The Tigers had all the running but in the conditions and post a prolonged delay it was difficult to gain a foothold in the contest, particularly against a steadfast Tiwi defence.

Lightning strikes nearby during the Nightcliff vs Tiwi qualifying final in the 2024-25 NTFL season. Picture: Patch Clapp / AFLNT Media

Adrian Scott was the early danger man with some big runs, and was unlucky to not have a major when in front of an open goal choosing to kick instead of pick up the ball.

But Scott swiftly made amends in the second quarter as a Tiwi escape from Tanna Blackney-Noter rebounded perfectly in front of him and this time he took his time to nail the goal.

The Bombers were swift in response when it looked as if Nightcliff’s Tom Boyd had marked in their goalsquare but it was instead given as a free kick, handing an easy shot to Kim Kantilla.

Michael Thompson, Nathaniel Cooper and Sam Darley were all busy contributors for the Bombers, but the side missed Matthew Parker and Marlion Pickett for their experience and influence.

Brodie Filo celebrates a goal for the Nightcliff Tigers in the 2024-25 NTFL qualifying final against the Tiwi Bombers. Picture: Patch Clapp / AFLNT Media

Nightcliff’s midfield however ruled the day with Lachlan Tardew particularly influential, clearing the ball and winning turnovers, while Brodie Filo, Peter Politis and Sean Hunter got plenty of touches.

Their ability to find the ball and ensure it went long into their forward square, as well as their fluid link up play, burst the margin wide open in the third quarter

It gave the Nightcliff forwards plenty to work with particularly Stanley Cox and Fergus Greene who both found themselves as multiple goal scorers.

Stanley Cox for the Nightcliff Tigers in the 2024-25 NTFL qualifying final against the Tiwi Bombers. Picture: Patch Clapp / AFLNT Media

And while not in the scoring as much as the previous week both Zackary Derksen and Cam Ilett played crucial roles in the forward line.

The Bombers had their typical moments of brilliance with Thaddeus Puautjimi showing his speed, while both Cooper and Thompson nailed some great goals.

But it was Tardrew, who finished the match with a brilliant mark and goal off a Filo kick, who proved how crucial he is all night long in a best on ground showing.

“It’s been a pretty big week for us so to win this there’s plenty of excitement and relief, we really wanted to win this one,” Tardrew said.

“We used last week as motivation. If everything’s against us and we’re against the wall we’re going to fight and we proved what we can do out there.

“I can’t say we get that sort of weather down south so it was a strange experience trying to keep the head in the game, and even though we out for an hour there we came back out with a great mindset.

“We switched on straight away. We talked about playing the minutes and we have a lot of fire in the belly at the moment so we’re going to keep surging forward and it’s now on to the next game.

“We know we can’t take Districts lightly, that’s for sure, it’s going to be a big task but we know if we play our best we can take it to them.”

Score:

Nightcliff: 0.2 3.4 9.8 14.12 (96)

Bombers: 0.1 1.3 3.4 3.5 (23)

Goals:

Nightcliff:

Fergus Greene 5, Stanley Cox 4, Blake Launer 2, Adrian Scott, Brodie Filo, Lachlan Tardrew

Bombers:

Michael Thompson, Kim Kantilla, Nathaniel Cooper

Best:

Nightcliff:

Lachlan Tardrew, Stanley Cox, Fergus Greene, Brodie Filo, Adrian Scott

Bombers:

Jack Monigatti, Sam Darley, Michael Thompson, Kurt Dunn, Tom Phillips

PREVIEW

There will be some real fire in the bellies of the Nightcliff Tigers when they take to the field in their qualifying final face-off against the Tiwi Bombers.

The NT News and KommunityTV will stream every moment of this clash from 6.45pm on Friday.

Nightcliff were vindicated after a nervous weekend waiting for their appeal to be upheld against a fly-in breach that would have seen them drop to fifth and lose several key players.

Instead they succeeded and they got to keep their second place berth putting them in the qualifying final with a real sense of something to prove.

On their day and with all their best players in, this side is as good as any other in the competition with the likes of Brodie Filo, Lachlan Tardrew and Brandan Parfitt with the ability to grab 40-plus touches in a game.

Boyd Bailey has been electric of late too with his speed and ability to turn the play a key part of how this side operates.

Brodie Filo playing for the Nightcliff Tigers in the 2024-25 NTFL season. Picture: Celina Whan / AFLNT Media

The Tiwi Bombers aren’t without a spark of their own and coming off of a bye will be refreshed ready for their first finals series since the 2019-20 season.

Tiwi have plenty of speedsters who can chop out an advantage in the midfield with Michael Thompson, while Kim Kantilla will want some goals.

There will be some players missing with Marlion Pickett out for one more week but highlight machine Anthony Munkara is set to make his return.

Braedon McLean playing for the Tiwi Bombers in the 2024-25 NTFL season. Picture: Patch Clapp / AFLNT Media

These sides have one win each from their regular season clashes, though the more recent was a heavy victory in Nightcliff’s favour, one they will want to replicate for a safer finals passage.

The full match replay will be available at the conclusion of the 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.

Originally published as NTFL 2024-25 live stream: Watch Nightcliff Tigers v Tiwi Bombers men’s qualifying final