2025-26 NTFL live stream: Watch St Mary’s v Tiwi Bombers in Round 4
A seven-goal effort from a St Mary’s recruit propelled his side to a strong win against a Tiwi Bombers side featuring Willie Rioli. Watch the REPLAY here.
A seven-goal effort from a St Mary’s recruit propelled his side to a strong win against a Tiwi Bombers side featuring Willie Rioli.
Luke Patterson from the EFNL was in just his third game in the NTFL proved himself a proper goal threat with seven to his name in a match where Rioli’s Top End return captured the early headlines.
And those goals allowed St Mary’s to squeeze out a 16.8 (104) to 10.9 (69) win in sweltering midday match where the scores were deadlocked at half time.
Watch the full replay of the match in the player above.
The Saints had the upper hand through the midfield with Dylan Landt bombing the ball out the middle in tandem with Patterson’s North Ringwood teammate Jackson Braunthal.
It wasn’t usual go to man Jackson Calder that took the goals in the forward line, instead he played more of a supporting role as Patterson knocked them through.
Patterson in his first season with the Green Machine proved the game breaker in the middle quarters when he was able to put back-to-back scores together.
Brisbane VFL player Charlton Offermans, returning to Saints for his first game since their 2023-24 premiership win, also kicked well with three goals to his name.
Willie Rioli was the star inclusion playing his first NTFL game since being drafted into the AFL in a career that included a premiership with the West Coast Eagles.
Now back for the Bombers he was up against Saints, where he played his junior footy and won a Chaney Medal for as the best on ground in the 2012-13 NTFL grand final.
His experience and leadership showed in his game playing in the Darwin midday heat and he had an impact with the Bombers enjoying having him on-board for the season.
Rioli found the centre of the sticks early in the second quarter taking a mark well in the pocket and causally shooting it through.
But it was really the only moment he could prove his potential with Saints vice-captain Kieren Parnell playing a strong defensive role on him.
Parnell and Matthew Green were crucial in the Saints defence pressuring the Bombers, who were missing some of their leaders in Ashton Hams and Sam Darley.
There were the typical starring moments from the Bombers, who despite being ill-disciplined at game start allowing three quick goals through, did muster a quarter time lead.
Kim Kantilla stood out in the forwards and could have had perhaps one more if not for a touch from a teammate, while Braedon McLean and William Madden were strong in defence.
And even late when Saints took control the likes of Anthony Munkara and Jason Puruntatemeri were able to find the middle of the sticks and hype their side up.
But an early injury that took Tanner Blackney-Noter out of the game proved costly particularly in the middle of the day heat and the loss of an interchange took its toll.
“Just my third game up here but we knew the Bombers would be quick and tough, and they provided a great fight,” Patterson said.
“Credit to our midfield, they did really well and gifted me a few opportunities particularly from Jackson Braunthal who’s a good friend from Melbourne.
“Seven goals is pretty awesome, I’m stoked about it, but the boys in our midfield helped out a lot.
“We went and put pressure on them when it was tight and we proved we had the legs to go to the end, which was really good.
“I’m loving my time at St Mary’s, we wanted to come up and try something different while we’re young and it’s proven a great environment and league to be in, I’m excited for the rest of the season.”
Score:
St Mary’s: 3.2 6.5 10.8 16.8 (104)
Bombers: 4.3 6.5 8.5 10.9 (69)
Goals:
St Mary’s:
Luke Patterson 7, Charlton Offermans 3, Kieran Mu 2, Jackson Braunthal, Dylan Landt, Jack Landt, Elijah Amery
Bombers:
Jack Steel 2, Nigel Lockyer, Willie Rioli, Justin Puruntatameri, John Tipiloura, Thaddeus Puautjimi, Anthony Munkara, Braedon McLean, Kim Kantilla
Best:
St Mary’s:
Luke Patterson, Matthew Green, Kieran Parnell, Dylan Landt, Jackson Braunthal
Bombers:
Braedon McLean, William Madden, Nigel Lockyer, Kim Kantilla, Jack Steel
Preview
Former Port Adelaide and West Coast forward Willie Rioli has been confirmed to make his NTFL return for the Tiwi Bombers against his junior club St Mary’s in what is set to be a huge encounter.
Every moment of the match will be live streamed from 2pm on Saturday by The NT News and KommunityTV as part of our season-long coverage.
WHY TO WATCH
Rioli has been in the AFL for the past part of a decade so it comes as a happy coincidence that his first match back in the NT will feature the two clubs he played for as a teenager.
He will add plenty of impact to the Bombers who, despite sitting with one win from three games, have proven their ability to take on the top sides.
Fellow former Eagle Ashton Hams has been the general down back and his work in tandem with the likes of Sam Darley and Braedon McLean is crucial for the Bombers.
Meanwhile, the usual speed and talent of the Bombers has come to the fore with youngsters Frances Tipungwuti and Jason Jr Puruntatameri getting their time in the highlights.
“It’s going to be really exciting, he will give our players a real boost, which they need,” Coach Patrick Bowden said.
“He (Rioli) brings that experience, guidance and leadership and when you put that with his football talent then he’s going to be fantastic for the whole team.”
For Saints, they are finding their pace after a second round bye and have the quality themselves to go the distance.
Skipper Dylan Landt has racked up the possessions while Jack Landt and Nate Paredes were standouts against Wanderers.
They will want to get more majors out of their spearhead Jackson Calder so expect plenty of balls to fly his way.
HOW TO WATCH
The NT News, KommunityTV and AFL Northern Territory have come together in a partnership to live stream both the men’s and women’s Premier League games for this TIO NTFL season.
On game day, the live stream for this match will appear at the top of this story in the lead up to the first bounce.
To find other games from this round click the links in the schedule box above.
Alternatively you can head to www.kommunitytv.com.au and use the video player at the top of the site to watch all the action live and scroll through the most recent replays.
Only News Corp Australia full digital subscribers will have exclusive access to watch the action.
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