NTFL 2022-23: Watch Nightcliff Tigers vs Southern Districts Round 14 livestream

The Nightcliff Tigers pulled off their best win of the season as they kept top side Southern Districts quiet. WATCH THE REPLAY.

Nightcliff pulled off its best win of the year on the back of a stellar defensive effort, keeping ladder leaders Southern Districts to their second lowest score of the season in a 31-point triumph.

It was a proud victory built on relentless defensive pressure, tackling and quality finishing as the usually potent Crocs were restricted to just two goals after half time at a blazing hot Nightcliff Oval.

With Simon Deery blanketing a goalless Leigh Williams and Sam Dustan also kept quiet, it was a massive drop in output for the Crocs, with their lowest score over the past five rounds being 89 points.

As Tigers’ back six swarmed, the Crocs could not find any synergy up forward with two Districts diving on a loose ball in the second term showing their lack of cohesion.

The Tigers also harnessed the across-ground breeze far more efficiently, drilling a number of converted set shots towards the clubhouse end.

Bailey Edwards was a standout for Nightcliff against Southern Districts. Picture: Glenn Campbell

A 4.6 to 1.1 third term was decisive for the Tigers, who have now won the past three in a row and re-emerged as a finals threat after a middling season to the Christmas break.

Missing consistent performers like Matt Mazzini, Brodie Lake and Dean Staunton, coach Shannon Rusca was forced to move the magnets, sending Michael Bowden into the centre at one point.

However, Districts had barely an easy possession, failed to hit targets, dropped easy marks and gave away free kicks at costly times.

Districts’ dirty day was perhaps best summer by Ronald Fejo late in the game, who couldn’t find a viable option to clear the ball from defensive 50, only to land it over the fence by the scoreboard.

Moments later, Jack Hammond held a solitary finger to his lips at a heckling fan outside the ground as he slotted his first to ice the match.

Earlier, the Tigers enjoyed their best start to a game since Round 5, with Liam Evans, who slotted two crucial goals in a tight win over Wanderers last round, added a further brace for the quarter.

The opening 10 minutes set the tone, with Nightcliff boasting an eagerness for the contest and were far cleaner surging forward as the Crocs butchered the footy.

While 10 points separated the teams at the main break, it felt like this could be Nightcliff’s day.

Districts closed the gap early in the third when Jack Mentha was taken high, then given a 50m penalty via excessive Tiger feedback to the umpire.

However, Crocs would draw no closer as Nightcliff got on a serious roll, Petros Politis and Shaun Wilson providing some of the cream.

Post-match, Tigers coach Chris Baksh was elated with the victory, singling out Jackson Bowen for nullifying premier ruckman Matt Dennis and the stopping work of Deery.

“We knew it was going to be a challenge … I wasn’t sure how we’d go against this mob,” Baksh said.

“Jackson and also Simon Deery on Williams … I put it on them two (to perform).

“We worked on our pressure and our one-on-one, contested footy.

“We played the wind better, it was definitely the scoring end.

“(A) great win … but we know there’s work ahead.”

Score:

Nightcliff : 4.2 6.2 10.8 11.10 (76)

Southern Districts: 2.1 4.4 5.5 6.9 (45)

Goals:

Nightcliff:

Liam Evans 3

Bailey Edwards

Shaun Wilson 2

Jackson Bowen

Petros Politis

Jack Hammond

Daniel Quinn

Southern Districts:

Jack Mentha 2

Jake McQueen

Matt Shannon

Sam McManus

Sam Dunstan

Best:

Nightcliff:

Jackson Bowen

Bailey Edwards

Simon Deery

Ryan Nyhuis

Cam Ilett

Southern Districts:

Michael Bowden

Luke Smith

Jake McQueen

Jack Mentha

Frazer Driscoll

LIVESTREAM PREVIEW

Nightcliff Tigers will take some confidence from playing at home in Round 14, but top side Southern Districts will make life hard for them.

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

The Tigers climbed back into the finals berths in a tight encounter against Wanderers in Round 13, but still have a long way to go to preserve their position.

Key to any Nightcliff success is finding a main goal kicker with goals being hard to come by in the 2022-23 NTFL season for the team.

However, that won’t be their main worry when they take on the top side in the competition, Southern Districts.

The Nightcliff Tigers will take on top side Southern Districts at Nightcliff Oval in Round 14. Picture: Tymunna Clements / AFLNT Media

The Crocs are on top for a reason this season and look set to stay there having players right across their list who can turn a game.

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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.