A rejuvenated Palmerston climbed to fourth on the Premier League ladder by beating the Buffaloes

Palmerston played itself into the Premier League top four when it beat a lethargic Darwin Buffaloes by 41 points, while Nightcliff and St Mary’s played out big wins.

Palmerston played itself into the Premier League top four when it beat a lethargic Darwin Buffaloes by 41 points at TIO Stadium.

Midfielder Eric Guthrie and goalsneak Justin Cooper were the best for the Magpies in a win that spoiled Matt Campbell’s 100th game for the Buffaloes.

The Magpies flew out of the blocks with a six-goal to two first quarter with skipper Chris Williams and Rudy Riddoch prominent.

In contrast the Buffaloes were second to the ball and appeared to be waiting for something to happen in a game where veteran Buffalo Matt Campbell was playing his 100th game.

Jayden Shea’s second goal midway through the second quarter opened up a 33-point lead for the Magpies and it looked how far for the black and whites.

William Rowbottom was on top in the ruck, Des Corbett was getting plenty of the football through half back and the middle and the Baird brothers, Clarence and Jason and Eric Guthrie creating several chances for their forwards.

Journeyman Justin Cooper was another effective forward for the Magpies, snapping important goals in the first and third quarters that opened up handy leads for his side.

But then the Buffaloes woke up, Tomas Clarke marking unattended to goal from 30 metres, skipper Jarrod Stokes finding the major opening courtesy of a 50 metre penalty and Campbell booting his second from a long way out.

The Magpies responded as good sides do. Two goals to Cooper in the third term when left unattended and two more to Jason Baird when he found some space shot them to a 42-point lead at the last change.

Incredibly, the Buffaloes were held scoreless, reduced to chasing black and white jumpers for the whole quarter.

PALMERSTON 6.3 7.5 11.8 13.12 (90)

BUFFALOES 2.1 5.2 5.2 7.7 (49)

GOALS

Palm: J Cooper 3 L Grigg 2 J Baird 2 C Williams 2 J Shea 2 R Riddoch D Corbett.

Buffs: M Campbell 3 J Stokes T Clarke C Sharples H AhMat.

BEST

Palm: E Guthrie J Cooper W Rowbottom J Baird R Riddoch.

Buffs: T Clarke M Campbell T Eldridge G Remfrey.

NIGHTCLIFF TIGERS PROVE A POINT WITH WIN OVER WANDERERS

A Nightcliff side with a point to prove ramped up the pressure and intensity to take an 18.11 (119) to 6.7 (43) win over a mostly contained Wanderers outfit.

The Tigers had all the running early on and they were rewarded for their efforts with two early goals each from Jess Budarick and Cam Ilett.

And their pressure game was equally as dominant in the limiting the Muk Muk’s natural run and carry game leaving them scoreless after the opening quarter.

The Eagles worked themselves back into contention in the second period courtesy of Warwick Williams coming forward to boot their opening goal.

Wanderers had other chances through livewires Beau O’Connell and Dray Thompson but the Nightcliff defence led by Daniel Bowles kept them mostly contained.

Darcy Keast in action for Nightcliff against Wanderers. Picture: Glenn Campbell

The scoreboard blew out further as the game went on as Shaun Wilson and Kyle Emery added their names to the goal scoring.

It was those two fed by a midfield containing two-time Nichols Medalist Brodie Filo and key import Thomas North that took advantage of the Muk Muk’s defensive lapses.

And a thriller of a snap goal on an angle from Ryan Mu gave their Nightcliff more than a safe buffer on the scoreboard.

“After the first round defeat to St Mary’s we really wanted to respond and we were able to do that last week and it was really pleasing to do it in consecutive weeks,” Wilson said.

“We identified that Wanderers rely heavily on their run and carry, they have a lot of fleet footed players and like to move the ball quick.

“It was just about nullifying that facet of their game and being able to put bumper bar blocks on their most dangerous players.

“Our ball use in transition from defence to attack was also really good and we were able to play the conditions well.

“We know we have St Mary’s next who are now three on the trot but we feel ready to stand up to them.”

Score:

Nightcliff: 4.2 6.6 14.9 18.11 (119)

Wanderers: 0.0 2.2 4.4 6.7 (43)

Goals:

Nightcliff: C Ilett 5 K Emery 3 J Budarick 2 S Wilson 2 T North 2 L Holt-Fitz R Mu B Filo N Howe

Wanderers: W Williams 2 D Shillabeer E Simpson M Garton K Fejo

Best:

Nightcliff: S Wilson K Emery D Bowles T North C Ilett

Wanderers: W Williams K Fejo D Shillabeer B O’Connell E Simpson

ST MARY’S BLITZ THE TIWI BOMBERS IN OVERWHELMING ROUND 3 WIN

ST Mary’s midfielder Nick Yarran continued his explosive start to the 2021-22 NTFL season with a best on ground performance in Saints’ 142-point romp over the Tiwi Bombers on Saturday.

Yarran kicked a goal and set up several others in Saints’ 29.15 (189) to 7.5 (47) win.

“Chopper’s (coach Anthony Vallejo) message at every break was to keep doing the fundamental things and keep getting the ball in deep,’’ Yarran said.

“He didn’t want us getting away from our game and being selfish, keep working as a team at all times.’’

Saints spearhead Jackson Calder kicked off what was to be a pleasant Saturday afternoon for him with three first quarter goals, a tally that grew to 10 by the final siren.

Nick Yarran had a massive game against Tiwi Bombers. Picture: Glenn Campbell

The green and gold jumpers were everywhere in the first term, booting nine goals to one through a series of long kicks, short passing and concise handballs.

Running Saints Yarran, Josh Smithson, Jack Kluske and Anthony Wilson joined in the carnage as they stretched the lead to 76 points at the main break, doubling that by game’s end.

The rise and rise of the St Mary’s youth program continues to pay dividends, with Xavier Vallejo and Preston Cockatoo-Collins showing big appetites for the red ball and doing something constructive with it.

The Bombers had their triers, Kim Kantilla up forward and Shane Austral in defence the best of them.

ST MARY’S 9.3 16.6 22.11 29.15 (189)

TIWIS 1.0 4.2 6.3 7.5 (47)

GOALS — StM: J Calder 10 S Edwards 4 A Wilson 3 J Smithson 2 N Paredes 2 J Long 2 N Baldock N Yarran P Cockatoo-Collins H Labastida G McMurtie J Kluske.

Tiwi: K Kantilla

BEST — StM: N Yarran J Calder A Wilson X Vallejo P Cockatoo-Collins.

Tiwi: K Kantilla S Austral J Lock D Cunningham S Babui.