NTFL 2022-23: Watch Darwin Buffaloes vs Nightcliff Tigers elimination final livestream

Nightcliff extended their winning run to eight matches after withstanding a late Buffaloes assault in the men’s elimination final. WATCH THE REPLAY.

Nightcliff’s winning run has extended to eight games, withstanding a late Double Blue assault to claim the Men’s Premier League elimination final by just two points in a heart-stopper.

In pounding rain at TIO Stadium, the far-from-fancied Buffs pushed their noses in front by a solitary point early in the final quarter through some rousing wet weather finishing from Kokwam Niki.

However, it looked season over for Darwin when Nightcliff’s most dangerous small forward on the park, Jay Moody, marked dead in front with minimal time on the clock.

He would miss, and when the Buffs transitioned the leather up to their scoring end, Darwin were poised to complete one of the biggest upsets of the 2022-23 season.

But just as it has done all season, Nightcliff’s robust defence stood tall, with Bailey Edwards conjuring a few golden clearances as the Tigers held on 6.7 (43) to 6.5 (41).

Tigers coach Chris Baksh singled out defenders Simon Deery and Jonathon Peris as outstanding contributors in defence and was proud his team could “scrap it out” when required.

He hinted former AFL hard nut Hamish Hartlett could return next week while Cam Ilett (calf) and Sam Overall (quad) would also be in the mix for the semi-final, admitting his selection committee took a “gamble” not playing the Nichols medallist.

Earlier, despite going in without midfield general Jarrod Stokes due to a hamstring strain, the Buffs looked far more suited to the wet weather with Tom Baulch influential.

Coming up against his former club, Liam Holt-Fitz got his team on the board early, getting boot to ball in the goal square while John Vrodos also snapped a ripper from close to the 50m arc.

Nightcliff defender Simon Deery had a massive elimination final against Darwin Buffaloes. Picture: Celina Whan / AFLNT Media.

At a sodden Marrara, it looked like a day for small forwards with a returning Andrew Hooper bending one back between the big sticks with great finesse.

In a sign of things to come though, the Tigers upped their defensive game, locking the pill inside its forward half through Simon Deery and Aidan Robinson, to close out the term.

But when Ryan Pendelbury hit Daniel Stafford on the chest for a resultant six-pointer, the Buffs were three straight kicks clear in a stunning statement which upended most pre-game predictions.

Fortunately for the Tigers, a hard working Moody, who had kicked eight goals from the past two rounds, and power forward John Butcher, emerged as game changers.

Butcher, who was immense with seven goals last time the two sides met in Round 16, used his bulk to outmuscle his opponent; a strong chest mark and goal gave the Tigers the lead for the first time in the game.

Moody’s right foot banana, after accepting a super slick Jack Hammond handball, was the best of his brace.

The game continued to shift in the Tigers’ favour, as a kick from Edwards slewed off the side of his boot, only to land in the hands of Butcher in the pocket.

However, an 11-point lead at three quarter time was quickly obliterated through Niki and Ahmat-Watkins and the game was anybody’s.

But the Tigers reminded NTFL watchers yet again why they have the competition’s stingiest defence.

Star backman and freshly-minted club best and fairest Ryan Nyhuis said the Tigers were building towards something special.

“We had to scrap it out, we knew they were coming,” Nyhuis said.

“It could have gone either way.

“We’ve got some good momentum, we’re building some good belief, internally.”

Score:

Nightcliff: 1.1 2.4 6.4 6.7 (43)

Buffaloes: 3.1 4.2 4.5 6.5 (41)

Goals:

Nightcliff:

Jay Moody 2

John Butcher 2

Andrew Hooper

Peter Politis

Buffaloes:

Hassan Ahmat-Watkins 2

Liam Holt-Fitz

John Vrodos

Daniel Stafford

Kokwam Niki

Best:

Nightcliff:

Jonathon Peris

Bailey Edwards

Ryan Mu

Brodie Filo

Nathan Brown

Buffaloes:

John Vrodos

William Robinson

Kevin Maroney

Tom Baulch

Mitch Robinson

LIVESTREAM PREVIEW

It’s do or die for the Darwin Buffaloes and Nightcliff Tigers when they clash in the NTFL elimination final.

And the NT News will be there to livestream all the action exclusively for you from 4.15pm, Saturday.

Nightcliff have easily been the form side since the Christmas break and are currently on a seven game winning streak.

It’s been a sharp turnaround from their midseason record, but the Tigers know better than most that they can’t afford a lapse in form now they’re in finals.

Meanwhile, the Buffaloes have been caught on the back foot in recent weeks, and lack the form of their opponents, but it’s all on come finals.

Key players including Patrick Boles, Liam Holt-Fitz and Thomas Baulch will make their return to the side after absences.

The Nightcliff Tigers and Darwin Buffaloes will go head to head in the 2022-23 NTFL elimination final. Picture: Celina Whan / AFLNT Media

And with Jarrod Stokes and former AFL star Mitch Robinson both in keen form the Double Blues will fancy themselves an upset chance.

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.