NTFL 2022-23: Watch Southern Districts vs St Mary’s prelim final livestream

Southern Districts pulled off their best game of the season to see off reigning premiers St Mary’s and secure their spot in the NTFL grand final. WATCH THE REPLAY.

Southern Districts delivered their best game of the season to knock-out reigning premiers St Mary’s and claim their spot in the NTFL grand final.

The minor premiers came into the prelim final with the odds against them after a disappointing semi-final against Waratah the week before.

However, the Crocs proved they had finished top of the table for a reason winning 14.9 (93) to 7.7 (70) to boot the Green Machine out of the 2022-23 competition.

Saints came out with a flurry sharking in the centre square in an attempt to take the league’s premier ruckman Matt Dennis out of the equation.

And though they were first to hit the scoreboard thanks to a behind from skipper Nate Paredes, and a miraculous off-the-ground goal from Nick Yarran the match soon tilted in the opposite direction.

Captain Dean Staunton, back from a week’s suspension, was inspirational in the midfield laying on the big tackles and playing a pivotal link-up role in the midfield.

Matt Shannon and Kaine Stevens were all also pivotal in those departments as Districts’ pressure game pulled the side on top.

And Dennis dominated, busying himself in the areas he’s become renowned for.

As the ball found its way to Jake McQueen, who had copped an elbow injury last week, he nailed Crocs first goal of the piece.

Southern Districts ruckman Matt Dennis leaps for the ball in the NTFL prelim final. Picture: Floss Adams.

They didn’t stop there as bit by bit they managed to extend their lead with Ronald Fejo, Dylan Barry and Jack Mentha also all contributing.

Dennis, whose class was undeniable in the ruck, also chipped in on the goal kicking front booting the ball from 70m, only for it to skittle through the posts.

Meanwhile, it wasn’t for a lack of trying that the Green Machine couldn’t find an easy route to goal, as the Districts’ defenders, chiefly Frazer Driscoll and Michael Bowden, locked them out.

Saints’ ace Dylan Landt did have his moment after moving up forward, and he was the lynchpin every time Saints threatened a comeback.

However, usual goal kicking heavyweight Jackson Calder was kept to a limited role by Driscoll, who contained him for the majority of the evening.

However, on the other side of the ground the pressure forced Saints to make critical errors, giving away free kicks which the likes of full forward Sam Dunstan was all too happy to snap up.

One incident was when Matt Green was deemed to have deliberately knocked the ball through the posts, giving Dunstan his easiest shot of the season.

Southern Districts dominated on their way to their first grand final since 2018. Picture: Floss Adams.

The Saints defence were no slackers themselves with Kieran Parnell, Brock Landt and Lucas Jellyman-Turner all working overtime, but more often than rebounds found their way back to Districts.

By the time the fourth quarter rolled around Districts were still on top, and it was in that final period that they began to pull away.

A free kick given to Tom Boustead set the tone for the quarter, while another Luke Smith snap goal against the play was the sealer for Crocs.

It was a massive moment for Dennis who had clinched his first shot at a NTFL grand final, despite being the best ruck in the comp for a long time.

“It’s amazing. To get to that position where it’s do or die you really have to bring that do or die attitude, as we did,” Dennis said.

“The vibe before this game compared to last week where we were a bit flat and complacent was phenomenal. I knew I was coming into a game ready to give it 100 percent.

“We really got going with our pressure. We were first to the footy, and our link-up and running spread was as good as we’ve had all season which gives us real momentum into next week.

“For me, it’s almost a bit of a dream. I’ve had success in many places, but I’ve never played finals in the NT.

“Coming across to Districts this year has been really enjoyable, we’ve had such a good side, and to be in a grand final, I couldn’t ask for anything more.”

Saints had a couple late goals go their way through Jack Landt, but it was too little too late for the outfit who have will miss out their first grand final in four years.

Score:

Districts: 3.1 6.3 9.6 14.9 (93)

Saints: 1.1 3.5 7.8 10.10 (70)

Goals:

Districts:

Sam Dunstan 4

Dylan Barry 2

Luke Smith 2

Jake McQueen 2

Jack Mentha

Jack Sexton

Kaine Stevens

Tomas Boustead

Saints:

Dylan Landt 3

Jack Landt 2

Jackson Calder

Nick Yarran

Kieran Parnell

Nate Paredes

Xavier Vallejo

Best:

Districts:

Matt Dennis

Dean Staunton

Jake McQueen

Kaine Stevens

Frazer Driscoll

Saints:

Lucas Jellyman-Turner

Dylan Landt

Brock Landt

Matthew Green

Nick Yarran

LIVESTREAM PREVIEW

St Mary’s hopes of back-to-back premierships hang by a thread as they come up against minor premiers Southern Districts in the 2022-23 NTFL prelim final.

And the NT News will be there to livestream every minute of the game exclusively for you from 6.30pm, Saturday.

St Mary’s showed they’re more than in the premiership race after pulling off a dominant win over the Nightcliff Tigers in last week’s semi-final.

Now they will be eager to keep their momentum alive knowing another win will put them in contention for back-to-back wins while a loss will see them fall out of the contest entirely.

But Districts are not a side lacking in talent and finished on top of the league ladder for a reason.

Crocs suffered a heavy defeat to Waratah last week, and some key players leaving the field early with niggling injuries will have had the side more concerned.

Jacob Long of St Mary’s attempts to get away from Southern Districts forward Sam Dunstan in the 2022-23 NTFL season. Picture: Celina Whan / AFLNT Media

However, with some big names still to return including Kaine Stevens, Jye Bolton and Dean Staunton there is still more than a chance for the men of 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.