NTFL 2024-25 live stream: Watch Darwin Buffaloes v Palmerston Magpies in Round 16

A scrappy win has put the Darwin Buffaloes in the box seat to avoid the dreaded wooden spoon after overcoming fellow battlers Palmerston. Watch the full match REPLAY here.

The Darwin Buffaloes have fought it out to give themselves a strong chance to avoid a bottom place finish in their win in the wooden spoon decider against Palmerston.

With just the solitary win each going into the game at TIO Stadium and a wooden spoon likely for the loser, both Buffaloes and Palmerston had extra incentive for the win.

It’s an eventuality that seemed less than likely going into the break when the Double Blues were still winless, but a recent win against Wanderers gifted the side some confidence.

In their only encounter earlier in the season, Palmy had the better of their opponents but this time it was Buffs that triumphed following an 8.17 (65) to 7.12 (54) result.

Buffalo midfielder Jarrod Stokes got plenty of it early but to no effect, however, Palmerston small forward Nathaniel Lampton was clean in gathering the ball and his long bomb was accurate for the first of the game at the four-minute mark.

Buffalo key forward Zander Nash was in the right spot at the fall of the ball in his own square and goaled to even the ledger early in the opening quarter.

Tom Simpson’s set shot from outside 50m perfectly pierced the goal posts and Buffaloes found themselves in front late in the term, but Lampton’s second was enough to reduce the gap to two.

Bradley Stokes playing for the Darwin Buffaloes in the 2024-25 NTFL season. Picture: Patch Clapp / AFLNT Media

Simpson’s early shot missed everything but a warranted free kick to Michael Hagan and his goal gave the double blues the start they were looking for and when Hagan repeated the dose a minute later, Buffaloes were flying although inaccuracy was a cause of frustration.

However, back-to-back goals to Palmy including an individual cracker from the hard running Nayef Hamad kept them in touch at the long break.

Darwin did all the attacking early in the third without reward until a clever kick off the ground by Joesph Collinson found Simpson who booted truly for the opener.

Palmerston’s poor discipline turned the ball over and Tanner Coulthard found space and with a slick kick goaled for the double blues and extended their lead in the low-scoring game.

Soon after though, Nathan Dowsett found himself in space and goaled from 15m out late in the term to keep the black and white team in the contest.

A rock-solid Buffalo defensive array led by Bradley Stokes and Kevin Maroney held them out until big Magpie forward Spencer Fox stabbed one through at the six-minute mark.

But the reliable Hayden Brown booted one to relieve the double blue pressure.

Tristen Waack’s goal soon after had respective supporters on the edge of their seats but when Hagan snapped truly from the goal square, it was the Buffalo faithful who breathed easier.

No nonsense Buffalo defender Bradley Stokes was relieved after the game.

“A bit of pressure off now – we’ve got two wins after a rough start to the season with a new coach and we are finally adjusting to Willsy’s style which includes igniting the Buffalo spirit,” Stokes said.

“There was a bit of pressure coming into the game, but the win gets us off the bottom of the ladder which was always a pre-match goal and so that is a relief.

“There were no real standouts for us today - it was an even performance from the team but having Kevvie (Kevin Maroney) back with me in defence makes it feel like the old times are back.

“We can’t make finals and Willsy keeps talking about next season and with our developing youngsters it feels good for the future.”

Score:

Buffaloes: 2.4 4.9 6.14 8.17 (65)

Palmerston: 2.2 4.5 5.8 7.12 (54)

Goals:

Buffaloes:

Michael Hagan 3, Tom Simpson 2, Zander Nash, Tanner Coulthard, Hayden Brown

Palmerston:

Nathaniel Lampton 2, Kyan Ellis, Nayef Hamad, Nathan Dowsett, Spencer Fox, Tristen Waack

Best:

Buffaloes:

Bradley Stokes, Tom Simpson, Phillip Wills, Hayden Brown, Tanner Coulthard

Palmerston:

Nayef Hamad, Tristen Waack, Josh Koster, Shaun Wilson, Jonty Patrick

PREVIEW

It’s not a scenario any club wants to be in but both Palmerston and the Buffaloes know a strong showing is needed to avoid a loss in this wooden spoon decider.

The NT News and KommunityTV will stream every moment of this clash from 5pm on Saturday.

The two sides are tied at the bottom echelon of the table with just one win and a draw to their names after 15 rounds.

Palmerston came out on top last time they met with a crushing 13.20 (98) to 5.11 (41) victory back in Round 3, which set up some hopes of a strong season for the Magpies.

A draw against Wanderers after the break has given them their only points since as the young side develop for the seasons to come.

Deacon Summerville playing for the Palmerston Magpies in the 2024-25 NTFL season. Picture: Jack Riddiford / AFLNT Media

Deacon Summerville and Nathaniel Lampton are among the promising players in this young squad, while club leaders like Ryan Warfe and Shaun Wilson consistently turn in strong showings.

The Buffaloes’ only points ahead of the break came via a cancelled game against Waratah, which gifted them two points of a draw.

But in Round 14 they turned in passionate showing against Wanderers to collect their first win of the season following a disrupted pre-season that set them off course.

It was a just reward for the hard work of skipper Jarrod Stokes, who’s consistently been among the league’s best.

Kevin Maroney playing for the Darwin Buffaloes in the 2024-25 NTFL season. Picture: Patch Clapp / AFLNT Media

Bradley Stokes and Phil Wills are other club veterans turning in consistent performances and will be intent on producing another with a chance to secure victory a real possibility.

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 Darwin Buffaloes v Palmerston Magpies in Round 16