NTFL 2024-25: Tiwi Bombers vs Southern Districts Round 3 livestream
Southern Districts sit alone at the top of the table after bursting the Bombers bubble with a gritty performance that shows they have a game for all occasions. Watch the full REPLAY now.
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Southern Districts maintained their unbeaten start to the NTFL season after outmuscling a Tiwi Bombers side who paid the price for some wayward early kicking.
It was billed as one of the matches of the season based on the star names in both sides and the form both carried into the Round 3 encounter at Gardens Oval.
And it didn’t disappoint.
The sides mostly went toe to toe, but it was Districts who emerged with the 11.7 (73) to 7.11 (53) victory.
There were plenty of former AFL players in the fray, though Tiwi’s big offseason signing, Marlion Pickett, was a late exclusion despite being on the early team lists.
Instead Sam Darley took command through the midfield for the Bombers, alongside the likes of Michael Thompson and Brendan Kantilla, who were constantly bringing the pace
However, despite getting plenty of forward momentum out of their enterprising play, Tiwi was wasteful in front of goal and came away from the first quarter with a score of 1.6.
Districts weathered the early onslaught, and when they got their own chances they were pushed on by another best on ground performance from Jed Anderson.
Wyatt Ryan was a titan in the ruck again and was well aided by Matt Dennis, who was playing in his 100th NTFL Premier League game.
Dennis was delighted with both the win and his milestone, which included a decade with the Palmerston Magpies.
“To play 100 games up here has been a long time coming, but something I’m really proud of achieving as I love coming up here every year,” Dennis said.
“It’s not something I set out to achieve, but the Territory is so good and I just want to keep coming back here every year, with the goal of chasing that premiership success this year.
“Our squad is unbelievable right across the park, I’m just slotting in and playing my role where I need to and backing up Wyatt Ryan in the ruck.
“It was an absolute challenge for us to come out here and prove ourselves against a really good side, they were tough in the contest and quick with the footy, but our boys fought on and got a good win.
“We’ve started the season really well, but every week is a new challenge and you never know how teams will stack up, so we will put our best foot forward and hopefully the wins keep rolling in.”
The opening quarter was, at times, a chaotic one with players involved in push and shove as tensions flared.
The second term was more of a deadlock for scoring until Round 2 Rising Star nominee Daniel Murphy knocked one through, and celebrated with a backflip.
Tiwi fought back and kept the game close as they cleaned up their shooting, and it was last year’s Rising Star winner, Karlson Kantilla, who starred with three goals, often from difficult positions.
Anthony Munkara matched his celebrations with another huge goal, followed by an Adam Tipungwuti score that had Tiwi fans on their feet.
However, as swiftly as Tiwi were scoring, the Crocs were able to match through their bigger bodies, and the ability of Anderson, Matt Shannon, Jordan Johnston and Matthew Johnston out the middle.
Steven Motlop had another strong game in the back line, and went forward for a score to put his own mark on the game and confirm the lead late in the piece.
Darley drew one back for his side with of a monster of a kick from the 50m line, which many would have assumed was touched on the line by some brilliant defending, though was given by an inch.
Score:
Bombers: 1.6 2.8 6.8 7.11 (53)
Districts: 3.1 5.5 8.6 11.7 (73)
Goals:
Bombers:
Karlson Kantilla 3, Anthony Munkara, Michael Dunn, Sam Darley, Adam Tipungwuti
Districts:
Matt Shannon 2, Jed Anderson 2, Will Farrer 2, Steven Motlop, Mitchell Bidmade, Daniel Murphy, Jonathon Ross, Jordan Johnston
Best:
Bombers:
Sam Darley, Karlson Kantilla, Michael Thompson, Brendan Kantilla, Michael Dunn
Districts:
Jed Anderson, Matt Shannon, Jordan Johnston, Wyatt Ryan, Jack Palmer
PREVIEW
Two ex-AFL midfielders will take centre stage as the most exciting sides over the opening fortnight of the NTFL season go head-to-head in primetime on Friday night.
Former Richmond premiership winner Marlion Pickett will lock horns with one-time Hawk Jed Anderson in a cracking midfield battle as the Tiwi Bombers and Southern District Crocs open Round 3 action in blockbuster fashion.
The NT News and KommunityTV will stream every moment of the clash from 7.30pm on Friday.
Both sides come into the contest with unblemished records after two rounds of the season, and will be determined to take an outright lead over the competition on Friday.
Tiwi have brought the excitement with convincing wins against Wanderers and PINT, and showing that their flair of old is back.
It’s been the Bombers best start to an NTFL season for many years and with a target on returning to finals they’ll want to keep the momentum up.
New inclusions of Marlion Pickett, Braedon McLean, Ashton Hams and Anthony Munkara have played huge roles so far and will be pushing for big showings against the Crocs.
Districts were tipped as a premiership favourite coming out of the pre-season, and have so far given no reason to doubt they’ll be up there come season’s end.
Their squad is as talented as anyone’s with classy players all around the ground from Steven Motlop in the back line to Jarrod Brander and Jed Anderson further forward.
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: Tiwi Bombers vs Southern Districts Round 3 livestream
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