Darwin Buffaloes come from behind to beat Southern Districts at TIO Stadium

The Darwin Buffaloes remain unbeaten after their come-from-behind win over Southern Districts

Southern Districts coach Matt Cannard addresses his players at three quarter time.

THE Darwin Buffaloes continued their winning start to the new season when they beat a determined Southern Districts by 27 points last night.

New coach Cameron Stokes has his side playing with confidence and plenty of foot speed after their 12.11 (83) to 8.8 (56) win over last season’s preliminary finalists.

That was after Districts’ positional play and ability to spot up teammates further down the ground was enough to grab a 10-point lead at the main break.

The Buffaloes’ usual smooth transitional play from defence to attack was interrupted by players like Luke Kiel and Josh Innes, who formed their own Berlin Wall across the middle of TIO Stadium.

But while Districts were making all the running, the Buffaloes were doing enough to keep in touch, a sure sign their best was still to come.

Midway through the third quarter the momentum switched to the Double Blues when Brodie Foster up forward, Jalen Clarke at centre half forward and Matt Campbell in a pocket stamped their authority on the game.

Foster’s pace and ability to present to teammates further up the ground will be a big part of the Buffaloes’ attempts to snap a 15-year premiership drought.

An opportunist forward, his kick off the ground for a goal from the middle of an angry pack only served to inspire his teammates to greater heights.

Districts’ attempt to get back into the game began to fall away when their skipper Dean Staunton missed everything from 25 metres out on a small angle and spearhead Will Farrer was penalised for a bump after marking in front of goal.

BUFFALOES 2.4 4.6 9.9 12.11 (83)

STHN DISTRICTS 3.1 6.4 7.6 8.8 (56)

GOALS — Buffaloes: B Foster 5 I Palmer 2 M Campbell 2 J Clarke J Stokes Districts:

BEST — Buffaloes: J Clarke B Foster J Collinson M Campbell I Palmer. Districts: L Kiel B Rolfe D Staunton J Innes A Boseley.