The Darwin Buffaloes hang on to beat Southern Districts by five points in a repeat of past clashes

THE DARWIN Buffaloes moved a step closer to realising a top-three spot after a well-worked five-point victory over Southern Districts at Marrara

Buffalo Jarrod Stokes breaks through the Southern Districts defence. Picture: GLENN CAMPBELL

THE DARWIN Buffaloes moved a step closer to realising a top-three spot after a well-

worked five-point victory over Southern Districts at Marrara yesterday.

The win lifted Buffs to within two competition points of third-placed Districts on the 2019-20 NTFL ladder.

The game started in a lively manner with both teams seemingly keen to get back into the fray after the Christmas-New Year break.

Districts defender Michael Bowden got plenty of the ball early as did Buffalo defensive ace Kevin Maroney.

But it was Buffs big man Daniel Stafford who opened the goal scoring five minutes into the first term.

Beau Schwarze and Dylan McLachlan then got the Crocs on the board before Stafford, with two more, gifted Darwin the advantage at the first break.

A series of key possessions by Districts mid-fielder Michael Barlow gave his

team the advantage and two goals from small-forward Davin Hall put the tri-

colours into the lead early in the second stanza.

However, three goals in the term by Brodie Foster and a double from small-forward Kieren Campbell ensured the double-blues went to the long break with a handy 18-point lead.

Buffalo skipper Jarrod Stokes led from the front in the third term – with a

mountain of possession and an early goal, he was the catalyst for a Darwin

three-goal-to-one quarter.

When Stokes ran into an open goal early in the final term, Buffs looked the

goods.

But a late flurry by Districts with two-goals each to the Farrer brothers and one to Rory O’Brien gave them some hope.

A kick after the siren by O’Brien missed to the left and it was Buffs by five-points.

Maroney stood firm in defence for Buffaloes, but agreed he was just one

cog in a very good defensive unit that prevailed in the end.

“It was a bit disappointing at the end but we hung on and won and that is what

we wanted,” said Maroney.

“We have faith as a defensive unit and believe we can match up on any team.

“It’s our goal to be in the top three and with a couple of players still to come

back we are on track.”