NTFL 2022-23: Southern Districts vs Wanderers Round 2 livestream

Southern Districts have withstood a momentum-shifting third term from Wanderers to bank its first win of the NTFL season by 11 points. WATCH THE REPLAY

Southern Districts have withstood a momentum-shifting, Steven Motlop-inspired third quarter surge at a steamy Freds Pass, banking their first win of the season by 11 points over a 0-2 Wanderers.

After a 5.0 statement from the Crocs in the second term of the Round 2 Men’s Premier League clash, the Muk Muks returned the favour, pinching a one-point lead by the final break.

But a remodelled Crocs outfit, boasting a raft of new faces including star ruck Matt Dennis, ex-SANFL star midfielder Kaine Stevens and two-game Hawthorn player Dallas Willsmore up forward, did enough to reassert their authority as kicking errors crept back into the Wanderers’ game, winning 13.5 (83) to 11.6 (72).

WATCH ROUND 2 LIVESTREAMS

Earlier, it took less than five seconds for Dennis to influence the contest; ripping the ball out of the centre with a booming kick into the Crocs’ forward line as Districts played the first half mostly on their terms.

Wanderers’ Braedon McLean and Southern Districts’ captain Dean Staunton went head to head in Round 2. Picture: Julianne Osborne

With Districts converting set shots from a range of marking targets, up the other end, the Eagles wasted several inside 50s with poor passes while giving away too many free kicks.

However, Steven Motlop, coming off a four-goal, 26-possesion game in Round 1, looked a picture of relative calm; on the end of an Ed Simpson handball to stroll in for the Eagles’ first and only major for the quarter.

Then, in an early sign of the five-goal burst that was to come, Wanderers enjoyed a vastly improved 10 minutes or so, with Simpson’s first, following a defensive turnover, desperately needed.

Motlop then provided some pure Muk Muk magic, snapping a brilliant goal on the left, underlining his class for an Eagles outfit which was guilty of over possessing the pill.

The Crocs would steady through the lethal left foot of Willsmore and the opportunistic Luke Smith, who came to the Crocs last season via Geelong’s VFL team.

However, the script was completely flipped in the third as Motlop slotted the first three and Shane Thorne and Dane McFarlane emerged as potential match winners.

Motlop’s trademark banana on the run was the exclamation point on a blue and gold blitzkrieg, as their defensive pressure rendered the Crocs impotent.

Steven Motlop stood out for Wanderers again against Southern Districts. Picture: (A)manda Parkinson

But the home side bravely rallied, stalling Wanderers’ run once more as some bad habits from the first half re-emerged.

Smith’s fourth, through a Mitch Taylor indiscretion, was huge in the context of the game.

Post-match, Dennis, who left Palmerston during the offseason to “reinvigorate himself”, told the NT News it would take several weeks for his side to fully jell.

“I was a little bit nervous coming into the game, being so hot I hadn’t played up here for quite a while … nervous coming into a new club,” Dennis said.

“It was a tough grind, but really pleased with the win.”

Smith, who was Crocs coach Shannon Rusca’s best on ground nomination, said it was a team effort where he could name up to a dozen players who had a strong influence.

“It was a slog out there,” Smith said.

“They’re a quality unit and they were always going to come. We did well to fight back.”

Rusca said it was a brave effort, saying his team looked “spent” at three quarter time.

“It’s tough when you’ve got a new group who haven’t experienced the Darwin heat,” Rusca said.

“It was really pleasing that they galvanised in that last quarter.”

Score

Southern Districts: 4.2 9.2 9.3 13.5 (83)

Wanderers: 1.2 4.4 9.4 11.6 (72)

Goals:

Southern Districts:

Luke Smith 4

Dallas Willsmore 3

Roy George 2

Matt Shannon

Ben Galbraith

Thomas Boustead

Kaine Stevens

Wanderers:

Steven Motlop 6

Jobastin Priest 2

Ed Simpson

Braedon McLean

Shane Thorne

Best:

Southern Districts:

Luke Smith

Matt Dennis

Dallas Willsmore

Dean Staunton

Matt Shannon

Wanderers:

Steven Motlop

Dane McFarlane

Beau O’Connell

Brodie Newman

Marlon Motlop

LIVESTREAM PREVIEW

We will get our first look at Southern Districts of the 2022-23 NTFL season when they take on Wanderers in what should be an electric encounter.

And the NT News will be there to livestream the game exclusively for you from 4pm.

Districts are playing their first game of the season and will be looking to make an instant impression.

They have their fair share of returning players including captain Dean Staunton and Beau Schwarze, while Matt Dennis and Ronald Fejo Jr will add plenty to the team.

They come against a Muk Muks squad fresh off an opening round loss who will be aiming for that win in Round 2 to even the record.

Wanderers take on Southern Districts in Round 2 of the NTFL. Picture Julianne Osborne

Steven Motlop will take the field again after being Wanderers’ best last week, and plenty will be expected from their defence who gave away ground rather cheaply in the opener.

If you are attempting to cast the livestream or replay to a television, the best result can be achieved by either using a laptop/computer or a mobile phone.

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.