Reigning premier Nightcliff forced to pull out all stops against a determined Darwin Buffaloes

NIGHTCLIFF was made to work before overcoming a hard running Buffaloes side in their Round 6 clash at Nightcliff

James Tsitas was one of Nightcliff’s best in their win over the Darwin Buffaloes. Picture: GLENN CAMPBELL

NIGHTCLIFF was made to work before overcoming a hard running Buffaloes side yesterday.

The defending premier found itself four goals down early in the second quarter before rallying to win the Bonson-Tye match by 23 points, 14.5 (89) to 9.12 (66).

Experienced Tigers Nathan Brown, Kaine Riley, Cameron Ilett and James Tsitas lifted their workrate and teammates Matt Bricknell and Dylan Joyce followed suit.

The 23-point win was Nightcliff’s 11th in a row since late February this year and was further proof of the will-to-win instilled into the players by coach Chris Baksh and his staff.

Tsitas was full of praise for Nightcliff’s opponents post match, saying the Buffaloes had taken the points early in the game when they threw out a strong challenge.

“The Buffs are a good club, I was really proud of the way our boys responded after we fixed a few things up at quarter time.

“Being a fly-in I don’t see how the boys go during the week, but on a Saturday their energy is always up and there’s some really good leaders around the club with Bakshsy up the top and Cammy (Ilett), Browny and Willsy.’’

That leadership shown through after quarter time when the Tigers booted 13 of the next 19 goals through a combination of winning the ball on the inside, good ball use on the outside and honouring teammates leading up the ground with accurate foot passing.

Dylan Joyce was one Tiger to benefit from the good work through the midfield with four goals and Ilett and Lachlan Sharp made their presence felt in front of goals.

The Buffaloes came to play after a last-gasp loss to Southern Districts last week and might have won if their finishing skills inside the 50 metre arc had been a little more polished.

But what they did show over four quarters was enough to leave their fans with a lot of optimism and the competition expecting a double blue charge as the season progresses..

NIGHTCLIFF 1.2 7.3 10.4 14.5 (89)

BUFFALOES 3.2 6.6 8.9 9.12 (66)

GOALS - Nightcliff: D Joyce 4 L Sharp 2 C Ilett 2 M Bricknell 2 S Wilson T Melville B Arnold K Niki. Buffaloes: D Stafford 3 J Stokes 2 P Boles A Sambono C Williams S AhMat.

BEST — Nightcliff: J Tsitas C Ilett K Riley N Brown M Bricknell. Buffaloes: J Stokes P Boles D Miles D Maymuru T Eldridge.