A Matt Campbell masterclass gets the Buffaloes past Southern Districts in their top five decider

Six goals from veteran Buffalo Matt Campbell the difference in his side’s hard working 12-point win over Southern Districts

Southern Districts' James Tsitas. Picture: Aaron Black/AFLNT Media.

THE Darwin Buffaloes moved a step closer to an elimination final with their gutsy 12-point win over Southern Districts at TIO Stadium.

The 11.10 (76) to 9.10 (64) win also closed the door on the top five, only four successive Buffalo losses in the remaining games will change the finals makeup.

The Buffaloes had four goals on the board before their fans had taken their seats — Matt Campbell grabbing three of them from a series of marks and free kicks.

But Districts came back with goals from Kaiya Jones and Jonathon Ross to close the game up at the first break.

The Buffaloes ran into injury problems in the second quarter, skipper Jarrod Stokes and Campbell were forced to leave the ground with leg injuries as their teammates worked hard to keep the Crocodiles at bay.

Both players were back on the ground at the start of the third quarter, but it was Districts who struck first when Jay Dahlhaus marked and goaled from a Billy Rolfe kick forward.

Three shots for goal for two behinds inside a minute were disappointing for the Buffaloes, Joe Anderson missing to the right and kicking out on the full and Jarrod Stokes registering a point from another set shot.

Districts made them pay when Dahlhaus stepped up with a left foot snap from the pocket that was marked and converted by the busy Lionel Ogden.

Districts were throwing everything bar the scoreboard at the Buffaloes.

But a bad miss by Ross at the Michael Long Centre end that would have put the Crocodiles in front saw the ball rebound to the other end of the ground where Campbell took a big mark

and goaled from a sharp angle.

Ryan Pendlebury’s goal from a ruck infringement gave his side some breathing space at the last change when they crept to a 12-point lead.

Districts kicked the first three goals of the final term to snatch the lead before a brace from Campbell and a clever Shaun AhMat snap sealed the win.

BUFFALOES 4.1 6.3 8.6 11.10 (76)

S’DISTRICTS 2.3 4.4 6.6 9.10 (64)

GOALS — Buffaloes: M Campbell 6 B Foster 3 R Pendlebury S AhMat. Districts: L Ogden 2 J Sexton 2 J Dahlhaus 2 J Ross K Jones B Rolfe.

BEST — Buffaloes: M Campbell R Pendlebury B Foster K Kossack C Atkinson. Districts: L Ogden J Dahlhaus M Bowden J Sexton D Robertson.