Southern Districts maintain their status as finals specialists with a classy elimination final win

SOUTHERN Districts remain in the mix for a tilt at NTFL premiership glory after defeating Darwin Buffaloes by 71 points in the elimination final

Crocodile joy in the NTFL elimination final after ending the Darwin Buffaloes’ Premier League season at TIO Stadium. Picture: GLENN CAMPBELL

SOUTHERN Districts remain in the mix for a tilt at NTFL premiership glory after

defeating Darwin Buffaloes by 71 points in the elimination final.

Helter-skelter footy greeted fans in the opening term with contrasting styles –

Buffaloes’ fleet-of-foot and a Districts side full of big bodies.

It was the bigger bodies that dominated early, Pat Gallow in the ruck got the Crocodiles going and Lionel Ogden put the tri-colours on the board inside the first minute of the opening bounce.

Ed Barlow was using his height advantage in the forward line and consistently

fed his fellow forwards to great effect.

Districts had plenty of the ball early in the second but couldn’t break some stout

Buffalo defence led by Kevin Maroney and Tim Eldridge.

The strength and experience of former AFL star Richard Tambling was too much for the double-blues and he continually pumped the ball forward to the Crocs’ advantage,

however his forwards failed to reap the rewards.

In a rare venture forward, Darwin got their first major of the game at the 15-minute mark through small-forward Djamatjama Wunungmurra.

A long-bomb from Darren Shillabeer soon after gave supporters some hope but too often Darwin forward forays resulted in minor scores.

Jeff Garlett opened the scoring for Districts in the third term and Daniel Stafford

squared the ledger one minute later.

However, goals to Barlow, Dylan Barry and Jayden Clarke late in the quarter gave Districts a distinct advantage at the third break.

Tambling made a fine contribution to the Croc cause in the game and believes his team has what it takes to be a real premiership threat.

“We’ve strung some good wins together over the past couple of weeks and we

came here confident of winning,” Tambling said.

“Its been the consistency – not just one or two quarters here and there.

“We played four quarters of footy today and we’ve got a good mix of youth and

experience. If we maintain that form, we can beat anyone.”