Reigning NTFL premier Nightcliff runs away from Waratah after half time to record 10th straight win

NIGHTCLIFF shortened its premiership odds even further yesterday when it ran over a spirited but outclassed Waratah side at Gardens Oval

Waratah’s Jacob Schaper tries to stop Nightcliff opponent Liam Evans in their NTFL clash at Gardens Oval. Picture GLENN CAMPBELL

NIGHTCLIFF shortened its premiership odds even further yesterday when it ran over a spirited but outclassed Waratah side at Gardens Oval.

Nightcliff trailed at quarter time after an 11-goal shootout, but kicked 11 of the last 14 goals to run out comfortable 49-point winners.

It was the Tigers’ 10th straight win since losing to the Tiwi Bombers on the last kick of the match in Round 15 last season.

Trent Melville and Brodie Filo kicked seven of their side’s 16 goals and Kaine Riley and Nathan Brown rebounded out of defence all match in dominant performances for the reigning premier.

Riley said the club’s training methods were beginning to show on matchdays.

“It all happens at training and we just bring it out on to the field,’’ he said. “We train together in big numbers and work hard at the same time and it’s paying off.

“We showed that in the last two quarters when we got our game going and showed we had the legs to finish a game off well.’’

Nightcliff also got maximum value from skipper Phillip Wills in his trademark on-ball role and Trent Melville was a constant threat to the Tahs defence with his fast leads, sure marking and four crucial goals.

Waratah had its good contributors and were right in the game at half-time when they trailed Nightcliff by five points in a half of football where the lead changed five times.

Big American Alex Aurrichio was a colossus in the ruck, fighting hard against Nightcliff’s beanpole ruckman Jonathon Miles to get the ball down to his runners.

But the Nightcliff defence was able to repel a series of forward thrusts from the home side in the last half and transition the football into their own forward half with a minimum of fuss.

NIGHTCLIFF 5.5 8.9 12.10 16.13 (109)

WARATAH 6.2 8.4 9.6 9.6 (60)

GOALS — Nightcliff: T Melville 4 B Filo 3 L Sharp 2 M Hagan 2 L Holt-Fitz D Kickett P Wills C Ilett S Wilson. Waratah: H Kerinaiua 2 K McBean 2 T Mosquito M Graham J McGrath J Beugelaar A Arruchio.

BEST — Nightcliff: K Riley P Wills N Brown T Melville J Kickett. Waratah: A Aurrichio B Carroll D Booth H Keely H Kerinaiua.