NTFL 2022-23: Relive the Darwin Buffaloes vs Southern Districts NTFL Round 4 clash

A serious injury has forced the Round 4 Darwin v Southern Districts NTFL clash to be abandoned minutes out from the main break. We have a replay of the action that did take place.

Unfortunately the Darwin Buffaloes v Southern Districts NTFL round four game has been abandoned following a bad injury close to halftime. An ambulance was on site treating the player. We have a replay of the match up until just before the injury happened.

Following an entirely accidental on-field injury that required ambulance attendance, the match points were shared by Darwin Buffaloes and Southern Districts in the game played at Cazalys Arena on Sunday.

With Darwin leading 6.5 (41) to Districts 2.5 (17) and with three minutes and 23 seconds on the clock till the end of the second quarter, Districts defender Nicholas Weightman fell awkwardly in a marking contest and time-on immediately commenced.

An ambulance was called and after 30 minutes of elapsed time, play officially ceased, and teams will share the points.

Southern Districts vs Darwin Buffaloes at Cazalys Arena in Round 4.. Picture: Glenn Campbell

Both sides began the game full of running but scoring wasn’t on the agenda until Buffalo half-forward Liam Whelan found space and slammed home the first major of the game at the six-minute mark.

Double-blue skipper Jarrod Stokes and then Matthew Cassidy also found the opening soon after and when Thomas Baulch added two more late in the term, Buffs shot out to a 31-point lead at the first break.

Buffalo small forward Liam Holt-Fitz was on fire early where his pace and elusiveness were clear features while former Brisbane Lion Mitch Robinson was making the most of his possessions.

Districts looked steadier early in the second but couldn’t find the major opening and almost against the run of play, Thomas Clarke slammed home the opening goal of the quarter to give the home side more scoreboard advantage.

The tricolours simply couldn’t buy a goal until Mt Gambier recruit Ethan Maney’s long shot brought up their first six-pointer late in the term and when Kai Pudney got another a minute later, Districts finally had some scoreboard action.

But it was all to no avail because since the game was legitimately abandoned before half-time by the umpires and match manager, the match points will be shared.

BUFFALOES 5.3 6.5 (41) at match abandonment

DISTRICTS 0.2 2.5 (17) at match abandonment

GOALS

Buffaloes:

Thomas Baulch 2

Liam Whelan

Jarrod Stokes

Matthew Cassidy

Thomas Clarke

Sth Districts:

Ethan Maney

Kai Pudney

PREVIEW

Darwin Buffaloes have a tough ask ahead of them when they take on an in-form Southern Districts at Cazalys Arena.

And the NT News will be there to live stream the game exclusively for you from 4pm on Sunday.

Buffaloes survived a scare against the Tiwi Bombers in Round 3, with their wayward kicking doing the side a good amount of harm.

But they can still take confidence from the game having dominated the possessions and created plenty of opportunities.

They, however, face a tougher challenge against Southern Districts who have yet to face defeat in the 2022-23 season.

Crocs will play their first game away from home when they make the trip to Cazalys Arena, but have the firepower across their squad to see off any side.

Matt Dennis in the ruck has been key so far, and with Cam Ellis-Yolmen looking the business they’re a side that can get the job done.

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The NT News and AFL Northern Territory have come together in a partnership to livestream Men’s Premier League games for this TIO NTFL season.