Former NTFL Saint and now Buffalo Michael Coombes sets his sights on an NTFL flag

SOUTH Fremantle strongman Michael Coombes is enjoying life at the finals bound Buffaloes upon his return to the NTFL

Michael Coombes in his St Mary’s days. The fire in his eyes is just as bright in the double blue of Darwin. Picture: Justin Kennedy

SOUTH Fremantle strongman Michael Coombes is enjoying life at the finals bound Buffaloes upon his return to the NTFL.

The former St Mary’s midfielder returned to the NTFL to rejuvenate his passion for the sport, but made the move to league rivals when the Saints were unable to fly him up.

“Probably one of the best moves I have made,” Coombes told the NT News.

“One of the main decisions behind the move was that Saints couldn’t fly me up, but it has turned into a move that I am happy with.

“I’ve been playing high level footy all of my life and I wanted to come home this season to find that passion for it again.”

Coombes trains with his WAFL club four to five times a week while finding time to train whenever else he can.

The extended training regimen has shown when the on-baller takes to the field in the NTFL with being among the best of the six games he’s played.

And despite only playing six games for the Buffaloes, Coombes already feels a strong attachment to the side hurting after their disappointing loss to his old club on the weekend.

Buffs loss to Saints last week forced them into fifth and into a do or die encounter against Southern Districts.

“That loss hurt, I go out there to win, I’ve only been with Buffs for a short time but that loss hurt,” Coombes said.

“We have to go out there against Districts with the same mentality we had at the start against Saints.

“We can’t fall away from our structures and we want to have some fun out there. I find that everything falls into place when you’re having fun.

“We played well for three and a half quarters against Saints but they put the pressure on and things got kind of difficult for us. But we still believe we have a real chance this year.”