NTFL 2022-23: Watch Southern Districts vs Nightcliff Tigers Round 6 livestream

Southern Districts have maintained their perfect home record after downing Nightcliff at Norbuilt Oval. WATCH THE REPLAY.

Southern Districts has maintained its spotless record at Freds Pass in 2022-23 but in far from emphatic style, downing Nightcliff by 19 points in an error-riddled match which didn’t quite live up to the blockbuster billing.

The contest should have been put to bed before the final break, but a wayward Crocs kicked eight points in the third term – and 3.12 across two quarters - as the Tigers offered up a solitary major through Petros Politis.

It took a brilliant roving goal to big man Sam Dunstan to finally shut the door on any thoughts of the most unlikely comeback in Men’s Premier League this season, winning 7.13 (55) to 5.6 (36).

Again without Cameron Ilett, the visitors missed the forward line firepower of Trent Melville and Sam Overall, plus the defensive class of reigning Nichols medallist Daniel Bowles, as they battled to get any fluency into their game.

Meanwhile, the Crocs had consistency across the field with at least 10 notable contributors, despite missing A Grade talent in Cam Ellis-Yolmen and Kai Pudney.

Matt Dennis was a standout as Southern Districts beat Nightcliff in Round 6 of the 2022-23 NTFL season. Picture: Tymunna Clements / AFLNT Media

One of those contributors was former Port Adelaide forward Boyd Woodcock, who set the tone early with plenty of half forward possessions, and hoped to use his time at Norbuilt Oval as a springboard before the national draft.

He said Districts were made to earn the four points even though the scoreboard reflected a total forward half domination.

“It was a tough game … it’s very different, trying conditions up here,” Woodcock said, who is based on the Gold Coast.

“Your fitness goes through the roof.

“I’ll stay up here as long as I can, I just need to see what happens with the draft.”

Earlier, in a false dawn considering what was to come, the first quarter had a bit of everything: lightning strikes, tumbling rain, some two-goal Brodie Filo brilliance, a team lifting snap from Frazer Driscoll and an even contest.

With just two points splitting the sides, and a balanced share of the football, the game became a bit of a non-event, with the Tigers only kept in the contest due to the Crocs’ inability to convert.

For a brief period towards the end of the second term, the Crocs would find their radar.

Star ruckman Matt Dennis showed his class yet again by converting a strong contested mark from the pocket while Dunstan did something similar, albeit dead in front of the sticks.

However, the game was there for the icing in the third but the Crocs fluffed their lines.

Dunstan’s second in the final term finally settled matters as Districts cemented their place in the top five.

Score

Southern Districts: 2.1 5.5 5.13 7.13 (55)

Nightcliff: 2.3 2.5 3.5 5.6 (36)

Goals

Southern Districts:

Sam Dunstan 2

Luke Smith

Frazer Driscoll

Matt Dennis

Roy George

Jake McQueen

Nightcliff:

Brodie Filo 2

Petros Politis

Jay Moody

Ryan Nyhuis

Best

Southern Districts:

Matt Dennis

Ronald Fejo

Boyd Woodcock

Jake McQueen

Brodie Lake

Nightcliff:

Brodie Filo

Ryan Nyhuis

Tom North

Bailey Henderson

Aidan Robinson

Livestream Preview

Southern Districts will be out to prove themselves when they host a strong Nightcliff side at Norbuilt Oval in Round 6.

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

Districts won their opening two games at home and will be hoping Norbuilt Oval once again proves to be a fortress against Tigers.

But a minor form slump when away from home may have had some alarm bells ringing in recent weeks.

Matt Shannon and Matt Dennis have been their standouts in the early parts of the season and the Crocs will be feeding off the pair once again.

They come up against a Tigers side that has found some good form in recent weeks with experienced performers Brodie Filo and Shaun Wilson among their best.

Southern Districts will host Nightcliff Tigers in Round 6 of the 2022-23 NTFL season. Picture: Tymunna Clements / AFLNT Media

Nightcliff are a side who know how to win and for that reason are the side best placed to test the fortress at Fred’s Pass.

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.