The Darwin Buffaloes too classy for a persistent but outclassed Palmerston in their NTFL match

THE Buffaloes were made to work before subduing a feisty Palmerston side in last night’s NTFL match at TIO Stadium

Magpie ruckman Matthew Dennis is all business in last night’s loss to the Darwin Buffaloes at TIO Stadium. Picture GLENN CAMPBELL

THE Buffaloes were made to work before subduing a feisty Palmerston side in last night’s NTFL match at TIO Stadium.

The Magpies led at half time through the superb ruckwork of Matthew Dennis before Darwin regained their poise and leg speed to run away with the match.

The experience of Jarrod Stokes around the stoppages and a target up forward in Brayden Culhain also played their part in the 14.15 (99) to 10.7 (67) win.

Culhain’s ability to lead into space with teammates running down the ground is proving a big plus for the Buffaloes, who retained top spot on the ladder and their unbeaten record with the 32-point win.

Last week’s 12-goal star Adam Sambono missed the game with general soreness, opening the door for Culhain to show his wares.

Stokes’ ability to lead from the front with his ability to find the football on the inside at stoppages or on the outside with players like ruckman Will Clarke getting the ball to him is another vital cog in the Buffalo machine.

Coach Matt Campbell’s call earlier in the week for consistency from his players also rang home, with every player in a light blue jumper putting their body on the line against a Magpie side keen to rebound from a first round loss.

Campbell was keen to talk about his side’s depth with Culhain filling the void left by Sambono.

“We’re not going to throw the baby out with the bathwater if blokes are injured and start freaking out,’’ he said.

“We played with no fly-ins this week and our Div 1 side will have myself, Darren Shillabeer, Leslie Maroney, Kayle Kossack and Devon Lyons on board which shows our depth.’’

BUFFALOES 4.4 5.9 10.13 14.15 (99)

PALMERSTON 4.0 6.4 8.5 10.7 (67)

GOALS — Buffaloes: B Culhain 6 W Baird 2 C Williams 2 T Eldridge A Stokes C Stokes P Boles. Palmerston: N Lockyer Jr 3 J Brauman 2 R Ashley M Dennis K Emery

BEST — Buffaloes: J Stokes B Culhain Joe Anderson W Clarke C Williams. Palmerston: M Dennis L McDonald M McMasters N Lockyer Jr J Brauman.