NTFL 2023-24: Watch Darwin Buffaloes vs Wanderers Round 16 live stream

From a season on life support less than a month ago, the Buffaloes continued their finals resurgence with a dominant win over Wanderers. Watch the full REPLAY.

Only percentage now separates Darwin Buffaloes from fifth place after a rollicking come-from-behind win over Wanderers in their match played at Cazaly’s Arena.

Trailing after a goalless first term, the double blues lifted their focus in the second and on the back of three goals from defender-come-forward Bradley Stokes and a brace from the persistent Kokwam Niki they set up the 15.17 (107) to 6.3 (39) victory.

WATCH THE FULL MATCH REPLAY IN THE PLAYER ABOVE

Although enjoying the majority of possession early, Darwin just couldn’t find the major opening and against the run of play it was the Muk Muk’s who gained the upper hand. Firstly, through Mahli King at the seventeen-minute mark and then Jaxon East a short while later.

But then Daniel Fitzgerald and Darcy Sketcher got the better of Daniel Fuller in the ruck and with Jarrod Stokes, Nick Yarran and Chase Loftus powering the ball forward, it was the groundwork of Bradley Stokes and Niki that took over, and although remaining wasteful, the Buffaloes reversed the goal kicking trend and went to the long break with a commanding 22-point lead.

Eagle on-ballers Jaxon East, Austin Smith and Sam Davidson provided competition but were too few in numbers to stem the Buffaloe tide and a six goal to one third term pretty much sealed the deal for Darwin.

Bradley Stokes had kicking duties for the Darwin Buffaloes against Wanderers in Round 16 of the 2023-24 NTFL season. Picture: Celina Whan / AFLNT Media

A coaching masterstroke from Buffaloe boss Cameron Stokes was the talk of the Arena when his namesake Bradley lined up in the front half goal square instead of his usual position down back that he has capably filled for around a decade of Premier Grade footy.

“I’ve played up forward in my junior days and a couple of times in the past in Premier Grade but today was the first time that I was permanently up there at this level of footy.” Stokes said.

“On Thursday night Cammy told me I was going to play up forward because we were missing Stafford and a few other key forwards, and my task was to create a contest and give the others a chance to score.

“I missed a few tonight which was probably the backman coming out of me, but it was enjoyable but I’m not sure what happens in the future - it will probably depend on who is available and who we play.

“The win tonight and with other results going our way, it gives us a real chance of playing finals – we are confident that if we keep winning, we can get there.”

There is plenty of upside left in the Buffaloes, but their true finals credentials will get a rigorous test over the next fortnight as they finish the season against the NTFL’s two most-recent premiers Waratah and St Mary’s.

Score:

Buffaloes: 0.5 5.10 11.13 15.17 (107)

Wanderers: 2.0 3.0 4.2 6.3 (39)

Goals:

Buffaloes:

Bradley Stokes 4

Kokwan Niki 4

Nick Yarran 2

Jarrod Stokes

Darcy Sketcher

Baxter Mench

Matt Campbell

Matt Foggarty

Wanderers:

Jaxon East

Mahli King

Michael Mummery

Sebastian Oconnell

Kayne Cox

Brenton Motlop

Best:

Buffaloes:

Nick Yarran

Nathan Stewart

Bradley Stokes

Chase Loftus

Kevin Maroney

Wanderers:

Jaxon East

Austin Smith

Daniel Clee

Mahli King

Kevin Smith Thompson

Preview: Can the Buffaloes keep their finals hopes alive?

Darwin Buffaloes need another big win here to keep their finals hopes alive, and will favour their chances against Wanderers.

And the NT News and KommunityTV will be at Cazalys Arena to stream every moment of the match from 6.30pm on Saturday.

The Double Blues sit only one win behind fifth place PINT but likely require other results to go their way if they are to make up the remaining ground before season’s end.

They will hit this match hard, with Jarrod Stokes and Baxter Mensch among the best midfielders in the competition on form, while Daniel Stafford will be licking his lips with the thought of hitting a bagful of goals.

Can the Buffaloes stay in the title hunt by beating the Wanderers?

For their part, Wanderers will be determined to add to their two wins this season, and upset one of their oldest rivals in the process.

The Muk Muks may not have enjoyed the results this season, but there is talent in this outfit, including Jaxon East, Braedon McLean and captain Mitchel Taylor, who will all be called on to step up once again.

A full replay of the match will be posted here following the end of the game.

The NT News and AFL Northern Territory have come together in a partnership to live stream both the men’s and women’s Premier League games for this TIO NTFL season.