St Mary’s masterclass overpowers Tiwi Bombers on the eve of the NTFL finals series

ST MARY’S shortened their grand final odds with a ruthless disposal of an injury-hit Tiwi Bombers at Marrara

Shaun Edwards was among St Mary’s best players last night. Picture: GLENN CAMPBELL

ST MARY’S shortened their grand final odds with a ruthless disposal of an injury-hit Tiwi Bombers at Marrara last night.

The Saints won the game in the all-important third quarter when they kicked five goals to two to avenge two defeats to the Tiwis this season.

The Tiwis took 10 minutes to get over the quick flight over the Beagle Gulf, a period where the normally slow starting Saints booted two goals.

Opportunist goals to the elusive Ross Tungatalum and Austin Wonaeamirri grabbed the lead back for the Tiwis at the first break, but St Mary’s looked the more dangerous with their fierce approach to the football.

They held the Bombers scoreless in the second term, booting two goals themselves to take a 14-point lead into halftime.

Jackson Paine’s one step snap for a goal from 50 metres was the highlight of a quarter of football that had finals written all over it.

The Bombers suffered a big blow early in term two when classy on-baller Dion Munkara went down with a knee injury.

That left the Bombers without a ball carrier and a player who can cut up opposition defences with his superb foot passing.

Injuries became a common theme as the match progressed, returning Saints ruckman Ryan Smith leaving the ground early in the third quarter with what looked like a back injury.

The Tiwis problems continued when key defender Jason Puruntatameri left the ground with a shoulder complaint and skipper Paddy Heenan spent a lot of time on the bench.

St Mary’s intensity around the ball paid dividends in the same quarter, five goals to two shooting them to a 33-point lead at the last change.

They continued to harass the normally free flowing Tiwis by giving them no space to weave their magic and using the ball to their advantage when they got their hands on it.

The Tiwis kicked the first goal of the last quarter and had the early momentum before a free kick and goal to the busy Leroy Larson regained Saints’ five-goal lead.

ST MARY’S 2.2 4.7 9.10 13.11 (89)

TIWI BOMBERS 2.3 2.5 4.7 5.9 (39)

GOALS — StM: L Larson 2 S Rioli 2 L Ferreira 2 J Calder 2 D Johnstone 2 J Paine C Wilson N Paredes. Tiwis: R Tungatalum 2 A Wonaeamirri A Darcy P Heenan.

BEST — StM: S Edwards S Rioli L Larson J Paine B AhMat. Tiwis: C Molyneux C Jones R Tungatalum K Dunn J Simon