NTFL 2022-23: Southern Districts vs Waratah Round 3 livestream

Southern Districts claimed their biggest scalp of the season beating the in-form Waratah. WATCH THE REPLAY

Southern Districts has claimed its biggest scalp of the season so far, albeit an undermanned and error-prone Waratah, by 37 points at Freds Pass.

The Crocs, bolstered by the hefty additions of SANFL premiership player Kai Pudney and former AFL midfielder Cam Ellis-Yolmen, opened up a 32-point half time buffer on the back of three, second-quarter majors to Carlton VFL forward, Matt Shannon.

Peel Thunder recruit Roy George was also a force inside 50, slotting three majors for the match.

Considering Districts were without former SANFL star onballer Kaine Stevens and ex-Hawthorn forward Dallas Willsmore, teams vying for a top five position would do well to keep an eye on what is developing down at Norbuilt Oval.

Waratah may have been undermanned, with bulk changes from last Saturday’s win over Buffaloes, including Dylan Collis and Robbie Turnbull among others, but they gave away too many goals through ill-discipline and were sloppy by foot.

Crocs coach Shannon Rusca said Matt Shannon was “phenomenal”, backing up a strong debut last round against Wanderers (18 touches and a goal), and his side were playing “exciting”, fast-paced football.

“They had a few blokes out but you can only play who you can play,” Rusca said of Waratah, who suffered their first loss of the Men’s Premier League season.

“(Shannon) was really good last week and his game went to another level today.

“It’s not what he does with the footy, it’s his leadership. Which we may have lacked in the past with such a young group.”

Matt Dennis was a standout as Southern Districts beat Waratah in Round 3 of the 2022-23 NTFL season. Picture: Tymunna Clements / AFLNT Media

Earlier, in the opening term, a slick Crocs outfit owned most of the play, punishing Waratah on the turnover as Ronald Fejo amassed a wealth of possessions.

Well-regarded Sunraysia defender Matt Mazzini once again started in attack and opened the home team’s account with a strong grab and goal via a long Beau Schwarze entry.

However, in perhaps their best period of play for the entire match, Tahs closed the gap by quarter time; a laser-like pass from Callum Searle hit a diving, Katherine Camels recruit Lewis Stanton on the chest.

Fellow Camel Elijah Horrocks drifted across to intercept a Crocs defensive pass and found Jayden Magro just before the siren.

But with Ellis-Yolmen almost impossible to tackle and boasting elite delivery and decision making, Districts put their foot to the floor immediately in the second.

A slick Fejo handball set up a brilliant running Shannon goal from the paint of 50, all within the opening 20 seconds.

It would be the first of three for the man they call “Flash”, as Crocs’ tackling pressure was also immense.

Southern Districts managed a massive win over form side Waratah. Picture: Tymunna Clements / AFLNT Media

Under siege, Tahs often went for the wrong options up forward with Ellis-Yolmen drifting across to pluck several defensive marks.

Waratah’s dirty quarter was highlighted just before the siren when Arnold Kirby dropped a sitter in defence, and his second effort was just as awkward - collecting last round’s five-goal hero Luke Smith high, who converted the free.

Tahs had a few bright spots in the second half, but moments of controlled play without Croc interference were rare as Magro provided the only consistent option in front of goals.

Alongside the threatening George, who can clunk a mark or score on the run, Shannon showed he has the defensive chops too, capturing Tom Cree in a fierce tackle for his fourth major.

Shannon said the 2-0 Crocs had given the Norbuilt faithful plenty to be proud of but his team was very much a work in progress.

“We always knew it was going to be a fight,” Shannon said, lured up north by his best mate Luke Smith.

“We set out at the start of each quarter to be really hard for the first 10 minutes. They’re a good side.

“Our backs were unreal... (they’re) like a team within a team.”

Score

Southern Districts: 3.2 8.6 11.9 14.14 (98)

Waratah: 3.2 3.4 6.5 9.7 (61)

Goals:

Southern Districts:

Matt Shannon 4

Roy George 4

Beau Schwarze 3

Matt Mazzini

Dean Staunton

Sam McManus

Waratah:

Jayden Magro 3

Lewis Stanton 2

Kurtley Silver

Joel Stevens

Arnold Kirby

Brodie Carroll

Best

Southern Districts:

Cam Ellis-Yolmen

Matt Shannon

Matt Dennis

Fraser Driscoll

Ronald Fejo Jr

Waratah:

Jayden Magro

Joel Stevens

Tom Cree

Brodie Carroll

Jack O’Sullivan.

LIVESTREAM PREVIEW

Southern Districts will host Waratah in what promises to be a cracker of a game.

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

Districts held on to win their first match of the season against a Steven Motlop-inspired Wanderers, and will be better with a match under their belts.

Luke Smith and Matt Dennis stood out for the Crocs in their first outing of the 2022-23 NTFL season.

But they face a massive challenge and a true test of their abilities in their second game coming up against the competition’s form side, Waratah.

The Tahs have set down the early season marker proving themselves the side to watch after beating both St Mary’s and Darwin Buffaloes in the opening rounds.

Southern Districts will take on Waratah in Round 3. Picture: Warren Leyden / AFLNT Media

Captain Brodie Carroll has been busy while livewire forwards such as Jayden Magro and Thomas Cree have brought plenty of explosiveness.

But that form will be tested with a trip to Norbuilt Oval.

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.