All the talking points from Round 7 of the 2023-24 NTFL season
A record-breaking individual performance, a team’s rampaging form and an impressive comeback made up an exciting weekend of NTFL action. Read all the talking points from Round 7.
AFL
Don't miss out on the headlines from AFL. Followed categories will be added to My News.
A record-breaking best on ground performance, Southern Districts’ rampaging form and a comeback from the Darwin Buffaloes were among the big talking points from NTFL Round 7.
St Mary’s, Waratah, Southern Districts and Darwin Buffaloes were the winners from the Men’s Premier League.
And in the women’s competition it was Nightcliff, St Mary’s, Southern Districts and Waratah who came away with the victory.
Read all the big talking points below.
Landt’s record breaking game
St Mary’s skipper Dylan Landt has long been regarded as one of the top talents in the NTFL, since first making the trip up in the 2020-21 season.
He’s won everything including the 2022-23 Nichols medal, the 2020-21 NT News Player of the Year and most importantly the 2021-22 premiership.
Landt further confirmed his importance to Saints in Round 7 picking up a record breaking 56 disposals against the Tiwi Bombers in a best on ground showing.
He broke the previous record of 46, which he held alongside former Fremantle star Michael Barlow.
The star also picked up 19 contested possessions, 33 uncontested, 17 ground ball gets, 13 clearances, 14 inside 50s, three score assists and two goals.
The captain averaged 30.6 disposals leading into the match and has been instrumental in their five-game winning run which has them top of the table.
He alongside his brother Jack Landt, as well as Blake Cooke and Brodie Sowter were dominant around the ground and continually drove their team forward.
In other positives big forwards Jackson Calder and Tex Korewha both came away with five goals each to further their season tallies, while Darcy Chirgwin was impressive down back.
The Saints will be pushing for another percentage booster in Round 8 when they take on the still-winless Palmerston Magpies.
Districts on fire in men’s comp
Southern Districts are absolutely on fire at the moment, winning their past four matches by an average margin of 92 points.
It followed a slow start to the season which included a thrashing from Waratah, a 10-point win over Tiwi and a loss to St Mary’s.
But the Crocs have been on a tear since then beating all comers and making massive statements against the sides they need to beat.
Beau Schwarze, Jed Anderson and Matthew Johnson have formed an electric partnership through the midfield, and will only get better with captain Dean Staunton and Jake McQueen in the mix.
They’re also spoiled for riches in the ruck department as Matt Dennis and Wyatt Ryan are both among the best of the big men in the competition.
Against Wanderers they were at their best, weathering an early shootout and a late fight back, through which the question of a potential upset never really came to mind.
The next run of matches, either side of the bye, will be the true measure of the outfit with Nightcliff, and rematches against both Waratah and St Mary’s coming in the next five weeks.
But for now confidence is at a high in Croc land.
Nightcliff women’s defence
Nightcliff is developing as a real defensive powerhouse in the Women’s Premier League, and are only getting better as the season wears on.
The Tigers had their work cut out for them early in the season facing St Mary’s and PINT as their first two opponents, but even in those narrow defeats they proved they’ll be a side to watch too.
Against both the current top two sides Nightcliff conceded an early lead, but once they figured out their opposition’s plays they were the side getting the points.
Their defence shone once again against the Darwin Buffettes conceding minimal points against a side which while much changed is not short on talent.
Hannah Turnbull is a threat to any goal hopeful, often the one to stop a play and start the rebound, while Sophie Hatzismalis got plenty of play as well against the Double Blues.
On the back of those defensive efforts the outfit are looking likely to lock down a top three berth once it comes to finals.
But if they can do just a bit better than last time they met PINT and St Mary’s they might find themselves in the top two.
Are Buffaloes the real thing?
The big question mark over the Buffaloes when they were on their unbeaten run was they had yet to face a genuine top five side.
And when they did, despite three quarters of parity, they lost to Southern Districts by 58 points in Round 6 snapping their run.
It looked like more of the same against Nightcliff in Round 7 when they were down by 30 points with little hope of clawing it back.
But somehow, much like their Round 1 win over PINT, the Double Blues dug deep and found their way back into the contest through the second half.
Nick Yarran was a live wire, constantly chasing plays and proving why he was so highly valued back when he played with St Mary’s.
The trio of former Brisbane Lions Blake Coleman, Rhys Mathieson and Mitch Robinson all showed their talents as well and brought the experience to keep their outfit in the fight.
The six point victory was exactly what the Buffaloes needed, and achieving it without the likes of Baxter Mensch, Ryan Pendlebury and Tom Baulch shows where this side can be at their best.
However, the question is how do they balance their fly ins with only three of the above six allowed for each match.
Do they want an onballer like Mensch, a goal scorer like Baulch, a tall utility like Pendlebury or the experience and talent of an AFL player? It’s a juggling act.
Buffs will now aim to carry this momentum, as it does not get easier with the next couple of rounds presenting match ups against front runners Waratah and St Mary’s.
REPLAY: PINT too strong for Darwin Buffaloes
PINT’s new regime, featuring ex-AFL footballer Lochie O’Brien, was too good for Darwin in round one of the NTFL. Watch the REPLAY here.
Watch now: Waratah v Southern Districts, NTFL Men’s Premier
Southern Districts will show off their much-vaunted list for the first time this season against a Waratah outfit known for big opening round performances. Watch LIVE.