Southern Districts and the Darwin Buffaloes set to go around again in a knockout NTFL final

NTFL rivals Southern Districts and the Darwin Buffaloes resume hostilities on Saturday with mothballs the prize for the loser

Hard running defender Michael Bowden will be back in the Southern Districts side for Saturday’s knockout elimination final against the Buffaloes. Picture: Felicity Elliott AFLNT/MEDIA

NTFL finals rivals Southern Districts and the Darwin Buffaloes resume hostilities on Saturday with mothballs the prize for the loser.

The elimination final combatants played out a frenetic Wednesday night grand final almost two years ago when Districts won by a single point.

The stakes are just as high on Saturday afternoon in another cutthroat final.

Districts coach Shannon Rusca is likely to be without his nephew Brandon for the 4.30pm game after he was concussed in the final minor round game against Waratah.

Scans have revealed no serious damage, but the Districts hierarchy are keen to follow league rules and rest the Rising Star nominee in the first week of the finals.

Rusca’s absence will rob the side of leg speed, but the return of experienced quartet Michael Bowden, Dylan McLachlan, Rory O’Brien and Michael Barlow is a bonus.

It means a near full-strength Crocodile side for what is a knockout final.

Three successive wins coming into the finals has Rusca buoyed for a run deep into the middle of March

“I believe in their playing ability and when they’re switched on they’re a very talented side,’’ Rusca told the NT News last night.

“We might have only played the bottom half of teams on the ladder, but the big plus for us is the players produced some really good football in those games.

“We knew it was coming, it was just a matter of when.

“We’re happy we’ve got some momentum back and we’re playing with some confidence again.’’

Rusca is wary of a Buffalo side that dominated the first half of their match against St Mary’s last week.

“We’ve got to be ready for the challenge they are going to throw at us,’’ he said.

“It’s been a great rivalry over the last three years and we know both sides will produce another four quarters of quality footy for the fans.’’

The winner of Saturday’s clash has another tough assignment the following week.

Another knockout match, this time against the loser of the St Mary’s-Tiwi Bombers qualifying final looms for elimination final winners.

“It’s finals time and we know nothing less than four quarters of footy will get us through,’’ Rusca said.

“We’re ready to go and so are the Buffaloes.’’