NTFL 2022-23: Watch Wanderers vs Darwin Buffaloes Round 17 livestream

Darwin Buffaloes cemented their spot in the NTFL finals with after claiming a big win over a depleted Wanderers outfit. WATCH THE REPLAY.

The Darwin Buffaloes have officially sealed their place among the NTFL finalists after a blistering win against Wanderers at TIO Stadium.

Despite being a sloppy, scrappy affair for both sides, particularly early on, it was perhaps the match which had the most bearing on the overall NTFL table.

But it was the Buffaloes who had the most to play for securing finals and giving Liam Holt-Fitz a victory for his 100th Premier League match with a 15.17 (107) to 4.11 (35).

The match was an initially scrappy affair with neither team able to assert themselves on the scoring front.

Wanderers were missing many of their front-line players as many were interstate for Marlon Motlop, but they still dug in for the face-off.

Buffaloes started sloppily, unable to get anything going a week after losing to Nightcliff, which will now be the elimination final.

Marcus Totham and Beau O’Connell tried to get the ball moving for Wanderers as they came bursting out of midfield.

Liam Holt-Fitz kicked four goals in his 100th NTFL premier league match. Picture: Celina Whan / AFLNT Media

But opportunity after opportunity went begging for the Muk Muks until young gun Tyson Whyte found the match opener.

It was Double Blues’ skipper Jarrod Stokes who finally woke Buffs up from their early troubles drilling the ball out of the midfield towards the big body of Daniel Stafford.

The move was indicative of how the Double Blues wanted to approach the match and come the second quarter they were hitting their straps.

Tom Baulch got plenty of the ball and made good use of it in front of goal as he was allowed freedom to roam.

Bradley Stokes, who has governed the Buffs’ backline all year, was also given a license to come forward when appropriate adding an extra dimension to the side’s offence.

But it was Jarrod, doing what he has for the majority of the season, who was most decisive getting plenty of the ball and making sure his forwards got their share.

Holt-Fitz came into the game in the second half reminding everyone how exciting he can be in front of goal when the chance is on.

And the 2018-19 Chaney Medalist was getting plenty of support from his fellow forwards, particularly former North Melbourne player Matt Campbell.

“It’s just good to get over the line on that milestone, I’ve been waiting on it for a while,” Holt-Fitz said.

“The boys were really composed and got the job done out there. We gave them a sniff at times, and they took it and gave us a good run for our money.

“We know now we’ve got Nightcliff in the elimination final. They beat us last week, so we’re looking to bounce back and get the win.”

Wanderers had their moments, and stand-in captain Ed Simpson was a workhorse in the ruck, but they couldn’t get an edge after their first quarter inaccuracies.

Score:

Wanderers: 1.5 2.9 3.10 4.11 (35)

Buffaloes: 1.4 5.6 9.11 15.17 (107)

Goals:

Wanderers:

Tyson Whyte

Shane Thorne

Marcus Totham

Ryan McMurray

Buffaloes:

Liam Holt-Fitz 4

Daniel Stafford 3

Tom Baulch 2

John Vrodos 2

Jarrod Stokes

Sterling Mitchell

Joseph Collinson

Kokwam Niki

Matt Campbell

Best:

Wanderers:

Ed Simpson

Beau O’Connell

Joel Cubillo

Nathan Arbon

Thomas Boyes

Buffaloes:

Jarrod Stokes

Tom Baulch

Bradley Stokes

Liam Holt-Fitz

Kokwam Niki

LIVESTREAM PREVIEW

Darwin Buffaloes will be hoping to lock down their finals position when they take on a talented Wanderers at TIO Stadium.

And the NT News will be there to livestream every minute of the game exclusively for you from 7pm, Saturday.

The Double Blues have struggled recently succumbing to back-to-back losses against PINT and Nightcliff, and subsequently ending up on the edge of finals.

But a win this week should put them in the clear and allow the side time to prepare for a finals bounce-back.

However, Wanderers showed a hint of the talent everyone had been waiting for in Round 16 when the demolished bottom side Tiwi.

Steven Motlop kicked 12 goals in a kicking display the Muk Muks have lacked for most of the season, while Beau O’Connell was electric in the midfield.

Wanderers will come up against Darwin Buffaloes in Round 17 of the 2022-23 NTFL season. Picture: Roz Lavercombe / AFLNT Media

If Wanderers manage a similar showing they could make life very difficult for the Buffaloes.

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.