NTFL 2023-24: Watch Southern Districts vs Darwin Buffaloes Round 13 live stream

A disappointing Darwin Buffaloes have run headfirst into a Southern Districts side hellbent on securing a double finals chance and come off second best. Watch the full replay.

The Darwin Buffaloes’ finals ambitions are in tatters after a Southern Districts masterclass all but put paid to their slim hopes of action at the business end of the season.

The Crocodiles, on the other hand, continue to make massive inroads at the right time of season, with a comprehensive shutdown of their rivals to the tune of 103 points.

With nine individual goalkickers, coach Shannon Rusca’s side ran riot in the unfavourable wet conditions, winning 21.13 (139) to 4.12 (36) at Norbuilt Oval.

It was an onslaught from the outset, Buffaloes unable to string anything of substance together on the offence side, and were struggling just as much at the back.

Despite the big ins of former Brisbane Lions’ duo Rhys Mathieson and Mitch Robinson, the double blue were outclassed across the field, showing signs of not having played since before the break.

Districts had the ball on a dime, passing and running circles around their opposite numbers.

Usual suspects Jarrod Brander, Jed Anderson and Jonathon Ross were the pick for Crocs while Christopher Williams, Jarrod Stokes and Nathan Spry did what they could for the Buffs.

With finals implications on the line, the result was bitterly disappointing for the Buffs who are now teetering on the edge of missing the cut.

After a back and forth for the opening few minutes, it was Crocs’ goal-machine Jarred Brander that kicked the opening goal, which was quickly followed up by Beau Schwarze a few plays later.

Southern Districts' Jonathon Ross was on fire against the Buffs, kicking a well earned five goals. Picture: Patch Clapp - AFLNT Media.

Districts didn’t take their foot off the pedal, kicking a further three while keeping the Buffs scoreless.

The Crocscontinued the pain, kicking seven the following term, blowing out the score to 80 to 9 by the midway point.

Tensions flared on numerous occasions throughout the remainder of the match, with Districts not fazed, instead, focusing their attention on a big boost to their percentage.

Nakia Cockatoo and Wyatt Ryan were deadly in the middle, dishing up dimes to in-form Brander and Ross to finish the job.

Ross finished the match with five goals to his name and said the win was a statement from his side to the rest of the competition.

“Following our poor opening quarters last round, Shannon (coach) wanted us to really put up the points and inflict as much damage as possible in the first quarter,” he said.

“We knew from our last meeting that this was going to be another really physical and high emotion contest, so to get an early lead while keeping them to zero points was perfect for our overall plan.

“We were super solid on both sides of the ball and I think we can be happy with this performance, and it’s a good game to have in the build up to finals.”

Score:

Crocs: 5.3 12.8 17.10 21.13 (139)

Buffs: 0.0 1.3 3.7 4.12 (36)

Goals:

Crocs:

Jarrod Brander 5

Jonathon Ross 5

Jye Bolton 2

Brandon Rusca 2

Beau Schwarze 2

Taj Stanley

Jed Anderson

Dylan Barry

Wyatt Ryan

Buffs:

Daniel Stafford 2

Nathan Spry

Jarrod Stokes

Best:

Crocs:

Wyatt Ryan

Jed Anderson

Jonathon Ross

Nakia Cockatoo

Jarrod Brander

Buffs:

Nathan Spry

Daniel Stafford

Baxter Mensch

Christopher Williams

Timothy Eldridge

PREVIEW

While the Buffaloes need a win to put themselves back in the finals conversation, double chance chasing Southern Districts loom as a massive obstacle.

And the NT News and KommunityTV will be there to stream every moment of the match from 4pm on Sunday.

The Buffaloes started the season so brightly winning their first four matches and quickly finding their place at the top of the table.

But they have slipped away in recent months and now sit in sixth, two wins behind PINT and the all-important fifth place finals berth.

Their struggles aside, Darwin still possesses a talented side, with the likes of Jarrod Stokes and Nick Yarran tearing it up, while fly-ins such as Baxter Mensch make a difference when available.

Southern Districts and Darwin Buffaloes will go head to head in Round 13.

A win against a Districts side looking to seize the finals double chance is a big ask though.

The Crocs were flying home against St Mary’s last week, only just missing out on the win, and will be looking to carry on that momentum into this round.

Jed Anderson has been among their best all year, while the big bodies of Jarrod Brander or Matt Dennis can cause a problem for any side.

With the top sides all so close together, wins are just as important for the Crocs as they are for the Buffaloes, setting up a very important fixture.

A full replay of the match will be posted here following the end 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 2023-24: Watch Southern Districts vs Darwin Buffaloes Round 13 live stream