The Tiwi Bombers lead at every change but fall over in the last quarter against Nightcliff

NIGHTCLIFF did what the good sides do when they found a way to beat a feisty Tiwi Bombers at TIO Stadium

Liam Holt-Fitz was on song with six goals in Nightcliff’s come-from-behind win over the Tiwi Bombers. Picture: GLENN CAMPBELL

NIGHTCLIFF did what the good sides do when they found a way to beat a feisty Tiwi Bombers at TIO Stadium yesterday.

The defending premiers trailed at every change but booted six goals to two in the last quarter to win by 15 points.

Midfielder Brodie Filo was again among his side’s best players in a game where the Tiwis twice led by 20 points.

“We’ve worked hard on our fitness this season and it obviously shows in our last quarters where we played pretty well today,’’ Filo said.

“You know when you give them (Tiwis) a sniff they’re probably the best side in the competition when the ball doesn’t hit the ground.

“Credit to the Tiwis, they played well for three and a half quarters, but we were good enough to get them in the end.’’

Winter Irving’s chest mark and goal might have taken five minutes to get, but it opened the door for two goals in as many minutes from burly Tiwi spearhead Austin Wonaeamirri.

What had been rebound football in the opening minutes became a run and carry contest, with breakaway goals at the head of the list.

The second quarter was everything Territory football has built its reputation on, the pacy breakaways, long runs and evasive skills that built the careers of the Longs and Riolis.

The Tiwis’ run and carry was opposed to Nightcliff’s kicking to position and hunting in numbers and the rowdy crowd at Marrara were treated to a spectacle of the highest order.

It was the Adam Tipungwuti-Liam Holt-Fitz show in the first half as the Tiwi wingman and Nightcliff small forward turned it on for their sides.

Holt-Fitz booted three goals of the highest order in the second quarter and Tipungwuti was explosive on his wing, setting up several forward moves with his tremendous leg speed.

Several big names were missing from both line-ups. Nightcliff was without ace defender Kaine Riley, key forwards John Butcher and Lachlan Sharp and midfielder Blake Grewar.

The Tiwis missed Ashton Hams and Charlie Molyneux on a day when one of their favourite sons, Jason Puruntatameri, celebrated his 150th game.

NIGHTCLIFF 2.1 6.2 10.3 16.4 (100)

TIWI BOMBERS 3.2 7.5 10.10 12.13 (85)

GOALS — Night: L Holt-Fitz 6 L Evans 6 K Winter-Irving Z Brain T Melville B Filo. Tiwi: H Puruntatameri 4 A Wonaeamirri 2 A Darcy 2 A Tipungwuti R Tungatalum L Howe N Djerrkura.

BEST — Night: L Holt-Fitz B Filo B Arnold M Hagan C Ilett. Tiwi: A Tipungwuti P Heenan L Howe H Puruntatameri N Djerrkura.