Buffaloes challenging the eye of the Tiger in a finals defining game at league headquarters

BUFFALOES coach Matt Campbell wants a sea of double blue to greet his players when they run on to TIO Stadium for Saturday night’s big clash with Nightcliff

The Buffaloes’ North Adelaide recruit Patrick Boles gets a handball away despite the attention of Tiger Jonathan Peris. Picture: GLENN CAMPBELL

BUFFALOES coach Matt Campbell wants a sea of double blue to greet his players when they run on to TIO Stadium on Saturday night.

The Buffaloes tackle reigning NTFL premier Nightcliff in a 7.30pm game at league headquarters that could define their season.

A win over the Tigers and a Southern Districts defeat at the hands of St Mary’s five hours earlier will lift them into the top three.

But Campbell knows a lot of hard work is needed from his players and a lot of noise needs to come from the grandstand containing the Buffalo faithful.

“We know Nightcliff is a huge test, they’ve been the best side all year and we’ll have to play exceptionally well to get over them,’’ he said.

“It’s also why we need a lot of support from our people, they need to back us with their feet and a hell of a lot of noise in the true tradition of Buffalo fans.’’

Campbell said third spot and the double chance would become a reality, particularly when sides around them like Districts and the Tiwi Bombers will be playing each other in the run home to March.

Michael Coombes, Patrick Boles, Josh Savika and Mark Quinn will come into the side.

“To start the post-Christmas season off with a win like was a great start for us and the five-point difference doesn’t tell the real story, we should have won by more,’’ Campbell said.

“They (Districts) did not have Ed Barlow and Seb Guilhaus, which could have made a difference, but we had a few key players out as well.

“If you continue to beat the teams around you and above you, the double chance starts to loom large in the season and that’s what we want to happen.’’