NTFL 2023-24: Watch Southern Districts v PINT elimination final live stream

PINT’s first-ever finals series has come to an abrupt end at the first hurdle - and it could well have a sting in the tail early in the week at the judiciary. Catch up on the REPLAY.

Southern Districts’ tactical nous sealed the deal against a hearty PINT outfit, whose first foray into finals footy finished with Warwick Williams being sent from the field.

Proven players Jed Anderson and Jye Bolton were outstanding as Districts proved too much for the in-form PINT defence and booted their way to a 12.10 (82) to 8.8 (56) victory.

PINT’s biggest asset has been their backline where the likes of former AFL player Steven Motlop and Harrison Maher have reigned supreme.

However, the Crocs were wise to the pair’s effectiveness and Kayne Davidson, called up just an hour prior, played a lockdown role on Motlop in an attempt to limit his input.

It was a move which gave Districts plenty of options and extra room in the forward 50, with Jarrod Brander and Dylan Barry both scoring multiples.

Districts lost speedster Brandon Rusca with an ankle injury in the second quarter, but the efforts of the ever busy Anderson and Wyatt Ryan ensured they weren’t going to relinquish their lead.

Skipper Dean Staunton and Matthew Johnston through the middle were other players who were full of running all day, while Bolton continued his fine form racking up possessions.

Matthew Johnston in the Southern Districts vs PINT 2023-24 NTFL men's elimination final. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

Beau Schwarze was another in the thick of it for his 100th Premier League game, as his side pushed to the highest score any side had managed against the Greenants since Round 5.

For their part, PINT, while busy through the midfield, were wayward in front of goal and it wasn’t until Liam Holt-Fitz struck 22 minutes into the second quarter that they scored their first goal of the game.

PINT improved after the break - both teams scored 43 points in the second half - but the damage had been done.

The Greenants actually had a comeback in the third quarter, with Holt-Fitz a constant danger while Connor McDonald and Thomas Schott were impressive in the middle.

PINT’s day was made even worse when Williams was sent from the ground completely.

The Greenants player was caught in the middle of some push and shove when he grabbed an umpire by the shirt and threw him to the ground.

Jed Anderson celebrates with Matthew Dennis in the Southern Districts vs PINT 2023-24 NTFL men's elimination final. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

It meant the side was down a rotation late in the piece, and though they were next to score through Andrew Jones and Harry McKimmie, they didn’t have the time to go on with it.

“It’s great to get the win, we knew PINT were going to come and their side is as good as anyone in the top five,” Staunton said.

“We knew it was going to be a battle, but our guys were up for the challenge, everyone battled hard and it was a hot contest across the whole game.

“Davidson got a call up just an hour before the game and he goes and plays an elite role on a player of Motlop’s caliber, and role players like that are going to carry us through the next few weeks.

“Then there was guys like Jed Anderson and Matthew Johnson who just battled in the middle all day, you can count on them to get the footy forward and to have those sort of players in the side is unreal.

“These sort of performances show we just need to keep fronting up and winning games of footy to get ourselves into the big dance.”

Score:

Districts: 2.1 6.3 9.8 12.10 (82)

PINT: 0.4 1.7 5.8 8.8 (56)

Goals:

Districts:

Jarrod Brander 3

Dylan Barry 3

Kayne Davidson 2

Roy George

Jed Anderson

Wyatt Ryan

Beau Schwarze

PINT:

Brad Ryan 2

Andrew Jones 2

Thomas Schott

Liam Holt-Fitz

Harry McKimmie

Luke Partington

Best:

Districts:

Jye Botlon

Jed Anderson

Matthew Johnston

Wyatt Ryan

Dean Staunton

PINT:

Connor McDonald

Steven Motlop

Lochie O’Brien

Thomas Schott

Liam Holt-Fitz

PREVIEW

PINT enter into their first-ever NTFL Men’s Premier League finals series on the back of two big wins, but they face a Districts side who have had their number all year.

And the NT News and KommunityTV will stream every moment of the knockout fixture from 4.15pm on Saturday.

The Greenants’ finals push has been largely based on a brilliant defence that has conceded less than 60 points in every game since Round 6.

Steven Motlop, Harrison Maher and Brad Ryan have had outstanding seasons, and they will again play a big role if PINT want to convert their first finals appearance into something longer than a single week.

But their future largely depends on the work of the men up front, with the lack of goals, particularly against the big sides, an issue that shows no signs, as yet, of being resolved.

PINT face Southern Districts in the elimination final.

Districts, on the other hand, have no problems with piling on the points. They have scored 501 more than PINT and have beaten their rivals twice already this season by a goal aggregate of 28-11.

The Crocs also have the advantage of coming in slightly fresher after a Round 18 bye, however, in a quirk of the draw, they have not played at TIO Stadium since Round 12.

Districts have reliable performers across their side with Jed Anderson, Beau Schwarze and Matthew Johnson among the best midfielders in the competition this season.

Then there’s Jarrod Brander and Jonathon Ross, who both sit in the league’s top five goalcorers this season.

A full replay of the match will be posted here at 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.

LAST TIME(S) THEY MET:

Round 4: Southern Districts won 20.17 (137) to 4.4 (28)

This match took place during PINT’s early season slump when the finals looked a million miles away.

Matthew Mazzini was a standout on the day leading the defensive efforts at TIO Stadium as Districts held the Greenants to just four goals.

Jake McQueen and Jed Anderson stood out in the Districts midfield, while four of their forwards scored three or more goals.

A big loss the following week to St Mary’s proved the turning point for PINT, who have not conceded more than 10 goals a game since, in part due to a move to rotate Steven Motlop to the backline.

Round 14: Southern Districts won 8.5 (53) to 7.4 (46)

This was a much closer affair, though it coincided with the start of a three-game losing run for the Greenants. The Crocs, on the other hand, were in the middle of a four-match winning streak.

PINT actually started the stronger side at Norbuilt Oval, surging to a three goals to one quarter time lead off the back of the likes of Connor McDonald and Elliot Chalmers in the midfield.

However, Districts stormed back and had taken the lead by halftime, taking advantage of PINT’s lack of scores while on top.

Mitchell Burgess and Jye Bolton were the standouts gathering possessions while Jordyn Cotter and Matthew Mazzini clamped down defensively.

It was a match of survival for Districts and one PINT will have looked back on several times to figure out how to convert their strong start into a win.

Originally published as NTFL 2023-24: Watch Southern Districts v PINT elimination final live stream