NTFL 2024-25 live stream: Watch Wanderers vs Tiwi Bombers in Round 13
The Tiwi Bombers produced a first quarter goal blitz that set the tone for their blistering victory against a Wanderers that struggled to get a foothold. Watch the full match REPLAY.
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A first quarter blitz set the tone for the Tiwi Bombers blistering victory against a Wanderers outfit that struggled to get a foothold in the contest.
At almost the same point in the back half of the 2023-24 season, a defeat to Wanderers at Tracy Village marked a flat end to a season where plenty of progress had been made for the Bombers.
Almost 12 months on, the Bombers cast the memories of that falter far from the mind, instead insoiring hope among the Tiwi faithful with a commanding 13.12 (90) to 2.7 (19) win.
The 71-point triumph not only cemented the Bombers in the NTFL Premier League top four, but also sent a word of warning to their high-flying rivals.
WATCH THE FULL MATCH REPLAY IN THE PLAYER ABOVE
Tiwi were dominant, despite playing against a Wanderers outfit at home that prior to the Christmas break looked as if they could lay a finals challenge of their own.
Barely a moment had passed from centre bounce when a Jack Monigetti clearance landed in the hands of Kim Kantilla to kick the opening goal within 25 seconds.
It was a moment that set the tone for the remainder of the quarter with Tiwi kicking six goals in a flurry while only conceding two points.
Former Richmond and St Kilda player Matthew Parker was brilliant through the middle with his run and carry splintering through Wanderers runners and finding plenty of options up forward.
There was excitement further forward too with young gun and former Waratah player Dwayne Kerinaiua taking one of the marks of the season to set up Tiwi’s third goal for Thaddeus Puautjimi.
Wanderers, meanwhile, found themselves in the trap of Tiwi’s elite defenders Ashton Hams and Braedon McLean, who both made life difficult and ensured the ball was recycled quickly in response.
Their haplessness was best summed up when a Jack Sinclair destined for goal was stopped By Benjamin Charles’ attempt for a mark, only for the ball to bounce off his hands for a behind.
The Eagles limited their foes after the first period as the likes of Austin Smith and Marcus Totham found their way into the contest, though the services of Joel Cubillo were lost through concussion.
The constant efforts of Josh Muraca were rewarded with goals, while skipper Mitchel Taylor proved his typical might in defence denying goals often one handed.
But for every Muk Muks positive, Tiwi matched with two or three more proving undeniable when they were running forward.
Parker kept the flow in the midfield, alongside Marlion Pickett, assisting his share of goals, while Kantilla ended the day with a haul of four goals.
“We got out there with the intention of hitting the ball hard and hitting it first so they have to play catch up, that’s how we want to play,” Parker said.
“As a club we pride ourselves on our pace and intensity, but it all starts defensively and the idea of building our defence and letting the offence take care of itself is something we’re building.
“The boys from Tiwi are all pure, raw skill, they just go out there and play footy, there’s parts of game where we still need to tighten up but when it comes to offence we just let them work.
“It’s only my first year here, I always wanted to come and play in the NTFL to try something different and bring the fun out of footy again, and help out where I’m needed with this club.
“No matter where I go I’ll try to put my best foot forward for the team and a team like Tiwi you just sit back and watch them, you can’t beat and I love playing for them.”
Score:
Wanderers: 6.3 7.4 10.8 13.12 (90)
Bombers: 0.2 1.4 2.5 2.7 (19)
Goals:
Wanderers:
Josh Muraca 2
Bombers:
Kim Kantilla 4, Matthew Kantilla 2, Dwayne Kerinaiua 2, Blake Puruntatameri, Jackson Broadbent, Scott Bedford, Thaddeus Puautjimi, Jack Monigatti
Best:
Wanderers:
Josh Muraca, Jack Sinclair, Marcus Totham, Austin Smith, Mitchel Taylor
Bombers:
Matthew Parker, Kim Kantilla, Ashton Hams, Kurt Dunn, Dwayne Kerinaiau
PREVIEW
Wanderers hopes of finishing in the top five rests on getting wins and getting them soon, but the Tiwi Bombers started the New Year with a flourish that won’t soon escape them.
The NT News and KommunityTV will stream every moment of this clash from 4pm on Saturday.
The Muk Muks are not yet mathematically out of finals contention, but with three matches against sides in the top five to come the odds are not in their favour.
They currently sit 10 points behind the pack, including Tiwi, after only just managing to save a draw against Palmerston on their return from the break.
But considering their start to the season this is a side that has shown fight in the middle of the year with three wins from their past six and a shot at some more before the year is out.
Jack Sinclair was their best in both goal scoring and his ability to find the ball against the Magpies, and the likes of Billy Crofts and Cody Leggett are still to return to the fold.
Meanwhile, the Bombers stormed into the year putting 109 points past the Buffaloes with some typical stunning runs and goals.
Michael Thompson was brilliant through the middle while Anthony Munkara produced another of his sensational highlight worthy goals.
Then there’s the Tiwi AFL players and they’re as hard a side to beat this season as anyone and have a chance of their own to push into the top three.
Watch the full replay 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.
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Originally published as NTFL 2024-25 live stream: Watch Wanderers vs Tiwi Bombers in Round 13