NTFL 2023-24: Watch Darwin Buffaloes vs Nightcliff Tigers Round 11 live stream

Darwin Buffaloes are now a full two games out of fourth place with over half the season played after suffering their fourth defeat in a row, this time to an impressive Nightcliff. Re-live the action.

Nightcliff Tigers held off a late surge from a lively Darwin Buffaloes to make sure they went into the NTFL Christmas break on level pegging with all their major rivals.

The Tigers needed the win to stay in the mix at the top of the table, while the Buffaloes were desperate for victory to stay in touch with the leaders.

But a six-goal run at the top of the third quarter helped Nightcliff to a 13.11 (89) to 10.6 (66) win.

The early exchanges saw points scored at both ends of the field as Phoenix Spicer for Buffaloes and Nightcliff’s Adrian Scott both showed off their speed, but neither came away with majors.

The Buffaloes’ defence responded well early on, despite a particularly busy Brodie Filo and Tigers’ skipper Ryan Nyhuis playing up forward rather than in the backline.

However, some high risk kicks eventually went against them and Filo took full advantage of a turnover to kick a goal, and soon after, Roger Morris, added the second off a similar interception.

Buffaloes’ ball users, Baxter Mensch and Jarrod Stokes, did get their own use of the footy, and a quick clearance finding the returning Thomas Clarke pegged back the margin.

Mensch got touch after touch while Torquay recruit Chase Loftus was also incredibly busy as the side found their way back into the contest.

But they did miss some impact from their captain Stokes as Nightcliff’s Lewis Rinaldi played the midfield tagging role.

Lewis Rinaldi has had a strong season for the Nightcliff Tigers in the 2023-24 NTFL season. Picture: Celina Whan / AFLNT Media

Nightcliff had all the play at the top of the second quarter, but the work of Kevin Maroney in defence and wayward kicking limited their scoring.

Instead it was Buffs showing the way to hit through the middle. They also took the lead when former AFL listed player Blake Coleman and Loftus struck true back to back.

But the Tigers never went away, with Filo showing his ability to turn the game on its head, while Jake Twycross swooped in to ensure his side were ahead at halftime.

Nightcliff went on to score six goals in a row at the top of the third quarter in a period which ultimately won them the match, including three from former Fremantle Docker Nyhuis.

Their only major issue came when Nathan Brown went down with what appeared to be an ankle injury and had to come off forcing his side down a rotation.

The Buffaloes came back late with Joseph Collinson and Daniel Stafford both scoring multiples, but they ultimately left their charge a little late.

Nightcliff coach Leigh Crossman was pleased his side was able to see out an ugly win against opposition the club rated very highly.

“It was pretty scrappy, that third quarter was where we played the way we wanted to the whole game, and we didn’t get to which is a real credit to Buffaloes,” he said.

“We’ve put ourselves in a good position going forward to the second half of the season, if you’re aiming to get into finals you have to beating sides like Buffaloes.

“We pride ourselves on our defence and we’ve got a defensive mindset, we want to be playing finals football from day one, so when we get there we’re ready and prepared.

“We’ve got some work over the break and need to continue what we’ve started, but obviously a lot of guys will go away for Christmas as encouraged, so we will get them in shape once they’re back.”

Score:

Buffaloes: 1.3 4.4 6.5 10.6 (66)

Nightcliff: 3.4 4.9 12.9 13.11 (89)

Goals:

Buffaloes:

Daniel Stafford 3

Blake Coleman 2

Joseph Collinson 2

Thomas Clarke

Ishmael Palmer

Chase Loftus

Nightcliff:

Ryan Nyhuis 3

Jake Twycross 3

Zachary Moody 2

Roger Morris 2

Daniel Kaipara

Brodie Filo

Adrian Scott

Best:

Buffaloes:

Phoenix Spicer

Blake Coleman

Baxter Mensch

Kevin Maroney

Nathan Spry

Nightcliff:

Lewis Rinaldi

Brodie Filo

Adrian Scott

Billy Henderson

Ryan Nyhuis

PREVIEW

The Darwin Buffaloes need to find a winning spark, and quickly, if they’re to compete in finals this year, but Nightcliff will pose a major threat to that goal.

The two rivals will clash in a big clash in the final round before the Christmas break with the NT News and KommunityTV streaming every minute of the action from 7pm Saturday.

The Double Blues started the season in emphatic fashion, winning their opening four matches to sit on top of the table.

However, they’ve since won just one game and find themselves sitting sixth with a mountain to climb if they want to be there in the knockouts.

As remaining games run short, the Buffaloes will be looking to the likes of Jarrod Stokes and Nick Yarran to step up and ensure the match is competitive.

The Buffaloes did manage to run down Nightcliff late in the day last time the two sides met, but the Tigers look a more assured outfit lately.

The Nightcliff Tigers will take on the Darwin Buffaloes in Round 11 of the 2023-24 NTFL season. Picture: Celina Whan / AFLNT Media

Their main weapon is their defence with Ryan Nyhuis, Lewis Rinaldi, Mitchell Norton and Nathan Brown, among others, all playing key roles in the Tigers recent run of form.

Last round they effectively locked ladder leaders St Mary’s out of the game in the third quarter, and if they can do that then they can make life very difficult for the Buffaloes.

Full replays of the match will be posted here following the game’s finish.

The NT News and AFL Northern Territory have come together in a partnership to livestream both the Men’s and Women’s Premier League games for this TIO NTFL season.