NTFL 2022-23: Watch Tiwi Bombers vs Darwin Buffaloes Round 12 livestream

The Darwin Buffaloes solidified their spot in the NTFL top four with a strong showing against the Tiwi Bombers. WATCH THE REPLAY.

Darwin Buffaloes held off a lively Tiwi Bombers to solidify their spot in the top four heading into the Christmas break.

The Buffaloes dominated in the final quarter to extend their Round 12 winning margin to 16.14 (110) to 7.10 (52) at TIO Stadium.

Tiwi brought their running game straight away with the bottom side more than eager to continue their growing form.

That immediate pressure caught the Buffaloes off-guard as the Bombers closed off every avenue of escape from their defensive fifty.

And as pressure turned into mistakes the ball came loose gifting Dion Munkara with an easy chance to put his side in front within a minute.

It was a moment that showed Tiwi’s intent, and spurred on by their on the park leaders including Harley Bennell it was intensity they maintained all day.

Mitch Robinson gets the ball away under pressure from Michael Coombes in the round 12 NTFL match between Tiwi Bombers and Darwin Buffaloes at TIO Stadium. Picture: Glenn Campbell

But as the quarters wore on the Buffaloes were side which found a foothold using their big game midfielders Jarrod Stokes, Mitch Robinson and Thomas Jok to take control.

Thomas Clarke also produced one of his best games of the year providing front foot ball out of the midfield, and showing his kicking ability on more than one occasion.

The Bombers had plenty more chances in the opening half with Jonathan Lanyon seeing plenty of the ball.

However, they were unable to cement much on the scoreboard kicking points instead of majors.

But they still managed a moment of magic as Brayden Rioli produced one of the goals of the season gathering the ball, spinning on a dime and kicking it through from 45m.

Missed chances came back to haunt the Bombers as they gave away back to back fifties gifting Buffaloes forwards Liam Holt-Fitz and Liam Whelan a goal each.

The match became the Stanley Tipiloura show in the third quarter as he drifted back towards goal and came away with four from the period.

But his scores were on the back of a move from returning star Michael Coombes to the midfield, with the hard-nosed player putting pressure on the contest.

However, it was a resurgence the Bombers were unable to maintain and bit by bit Buffaloes took control back in the game and extended their winning margin in the final term.

“The fact we secured the four points meant a lot, you can’t rest on laurels when taking on the bottom side but we had a real target of solidifying our top five chances,” Lok said.

“This was a danger game, given the last time we played them was close, but the fact we responded every time was a testament to the club and how they’ve come.

“We were surprised when they came back, because we felt we had a good lead. But when they did it came down to fitness and sorting out the little miscommunications that probably let them back.

“There’s some real skillful players out there, and the talent coming through the NTFL is just unreal.”

Score:

Bombers: 1.4 2.7 7.8 7.10 (52)

Buffaloes: 3.2 8.5 11.10 16.14 (110)

Goals:

Bombers:

Stanley Tipiloura 4

Brayden Rioli

Dion Munkara

Michael Dunn

Buffaloes:

Liam Whelan 3

Liam Holt-Fitz 3

Thomas Clarke 2

Nathaniel Cooper

Joseph Collinson

Jarrod Stokes

Jayden Kickett

Ryan Pendlebury

Thomas Jok

Mitch Robinson

Bradley Stokes

Best:

Bombers:

Stanley Tipiloura

Harley Bennell

Jonathan Lanyon

Brayden Rioli

Michael Coombes

Buffaloes:

Jarrod Stokes

Thomas Jok

Mitch Robinson

Thomas Clarke

Bradley Stokes

LIVESTREAM PREVIEW

Darwin Buffaloes are aiming to further cement their finals berth as they take on the Tiwi Bombers at TIO Stadium.

And the NT News will be there to livestream the game exclusively for you from 2.30pm, Saturday.

The Buffaloes have been one of the form sides of the 2022-23 NTFL season, and sit fourth on the table as a result.

However, consecutive losses to sides above them do have the Double Blues needing a win to not fall back into the chasing pack.

There’s plenty of talent in this Buffs unit including captain Jarrod Stokes and former AFL player Mitch Robinson.

Against Tiwi they will sense their chance, but the Bombers have been improving in recent weeks coming away with a draw against PINT in Round 11.

Darwin Buffaloes and Tiwi Bombers will face-off in Round 12. Picture: Celina Whan / AFLNT Media

The Bombers know how to bring the tackle pressure and their game plan has put than one forward unit off their game so far 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.