NTFL 2022-23: Watch Nightcliff Tigers vs Darwin Buffaloes Round 8 livestream

The Darwin Buffaloes have a chance to cement their place at the top of the table when they take on an experienced Nightcliff side. WATCH THE REPLAY.

A four-goal performance from speedster Liam Holt-Fitz helped the Darwin Buffaloes to a 14-point victory over his former side Nightcliff Tigers at TIO Stadium.

It was Nightcliff who led at the first quarter break, but the Double Blues showed their fitness as they went the distance to win 11.9 (75) to 8.13 (61).

Buffaloes owned the midfield from centre bounce with captain Jarrod Stokes and former Carlton and Brisbane player Mitch Robinson racking up the possessions and clearances.

The Tigers defence held on for much of the early exchanges despite missing their vice-captain Ryan Nyhuis and the breeze working against them.

Robinson, who spent most of the match with his jersey rolled up, had leather poisoning in the early stages and so it was only natural he booted the earliest.

However, Tigers spurred on by dual Nichols medalist Brodie Filo finished the opening quarter as the better side.

Bailey Edwards, collecting his own misfired handball, saw through Nightcliff’s opener, and helped by the work of a returning Tom North in the midfield Tigers fired early on.

But Holt-Fitz came to life in the second quarter helped by being on the receiving end of deliveries from Stokes and Robinson.

Liam Holt-Fitz has enjoyed a strong start to life at the Darwin Buffaloes in the 2022-23 NTFL season. Picture: Celina Whan / AFLNT Media

The former Nightcliff player who had won both premierships and the Chaney Medal with his former club instead became their bane piling on the points.

Despite all their dominance for much, Buffaloes were unable to make much of an impact in front of goal.

The Tigers had also been wasteful when opportunities had come their way, reminiscent of their loss to St Mary’s in Round 7 with no one in the forward line putting their hands up.

It was Round 1 Rising Star nominee Phoenix Joe Pool who broke the third term deadlock after 13 minutes kicking between the posts to put the Tigers back in touch.

But as soon as the scores returned for Nightcliff, so too did Holt-Fitz to make ensure Buffs kept their buffer.

The livewire was everywhere from assisting an Antonio James score to scoring another of his own, and he even put in down back as well chipping in with some defending.

Tigers tried to create some consistency of their own with captain Shaun Wilson trying to pull his troops to the win, but their inability to kick straight killed Nightcliff’s chances.

“This was a good win for us, backing up our win from last win, everyone playing their role, and we’re just excited to see what’s to come this year,” Holt-Fitz said.

“We’ve been working on our fitness really hard this year, and that’s probably our main key to running out games and finishing strong.

“As soon as I came to Buffaloes they made me feel really welcome, I have lot of family here, and it’s a good family club.

“And to have someone like Mitch Robinson, just his voice, he’s in everything around the contest. When the boys are down, he’s the first one to stand up along with (Jarrod) Stokes.”

Score:

Nightcliff: 2.2 3.6 5.11 8.13 (61)

Buffaloes: 1.2 5.4 9.8 11.9 (75)

Goals:

Nightcliff:

Jack Hammond 2

Bailey Edwards 2

Michael Mummery

Phoenix Joe Pool

Cam Ilett

Petros Politis

Buffaloes:

Liam Holt-Fitz 4

Antonio James 2

Mitch Robinson 2

Thomas Clarke

Tanner Coulthard

Thomas Jok

Best:

Nightcliff:

Brodie Filo

Bailey Edwards

Tom North

Shaun Wilson

Phoenix Joe Pool

Buffaloes:

Patrick Boles

Mitch Robinson

Liam Holt-Fitz

Bradley Stokes

Hayden Brown

LIVESTREAM PREVIEW

A confident Darwin Buffaloes will be hoping to cement their position in the upper steps of the table when they take on Nightcliff at TIO Stadium.

And the NT News will be there to livestream the game exclusively for you from 4.30pm, Saturday.

The Darwin Buffaloes have been in fine form early in the 2022-23, equally due to their influx of strong recruits and a newfound confidence from their club stalwarts.

Captain Jarrod Stokes has shown off his explosive pace more than once, but it’s the back six who have really brought the Buffs to life this year.

The tackle pressure of Bradley Stokes, Kaine Riley and Hayden Brown has been second to none this NTFL season and will give Nightcliff plenty to worry about.

The Tigers meanwhile have dipped a little in the early stages of the season from their expected form of recent years.

Brodie Filo and Ryan Nyhuis have both maintained their usual high standards, however their lack of goals killed them in their Round 7 match against St Mary’s.

Darwin Buffaloes will take on the Nightcliff Tigers in Round 8 of the NTFL. Picture: Celina Whan / AFLNT Media

They will need to prove themselves against the Double Blues in what strangely enough is just their first game at TIO Stadium this season.

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.