Reigning NTFL premier Nightcliff repeats grand final win over fierce rivals Southern Districts
NIGHTCLIFF showed why they are the defending NTFL champions with a come-from-behind win over Southern Districts in their grand final rematch at TIO Stadium
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NIGHTCLIFF showed why they are the defending NTFL champions with a come-from-behind win over Southern Districts at TIO Stadium last night.
The Tigers booted six goals to three after half time to snatch a gutsy 13.10 (88) to 12.7 (79) win in front of a big crowd at league headquarters.
A 12-goal first quarter set the scene for a classic contest between two teams who played off for the premiership seven months ago.
Brodie Filo and Josiah Farrer were prominent for their sides as the ball swung from one end to the other at lightning speed.
Even the goalkicking was from the top shelf, Districts’ Tim Brook unloading from 55 metres out to split the middle and repeating that feat minutes later from 45m out on an angle.
The first quarter goalfest turned into an arm wrestle for the remainder of the match, with goals and clean possessions hard to come by.
Filo’s hard running and superb kicking won the game for Nightcliff after Districts looked in control at the main break.
His ability to find space and use the ball with maximum efficiency set up several goals for the premiers, who looked the fitter of the two sides in the last half.
New spearhead Lachlan Sharp booted four goals in an impressive debut in Top End football.
His two goals in the last term were crucial to the final outcome, particularly his fourth goal when he steered it home from an angle to give the Tigers some breathing space.
Districts were far from disgraced despite some costly skill errors that gave the ball up to their opponents.
Josiah Farrer was their best player through the middle, Keegan Dingo’s return to league football was a success and former Buffalo Damian Williams showed he will be an important player across half back.
NIGHTCLIFF 6.1 7.3 11.5 13.10 (88)
S’DISTRICTS 6.2 9.3 10.7 12.7 (79)
GOALS — Nightcliff: J Sharp 4 J Butcher 3 B Filo 2 B Bell P Wills K Nikki C Ilett. Districts: W Farrer 4 T Brook 2 J Clarke 2 S Barnett 2 S Stewart J Farrer.
BEST — Nightcliff: B Filo D Bowles C Ilett K Nikki B Bell. Districts: J Farrer D Williams J Clarke K Dingo L Ogden.
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