NTFL 2023-24: Watch Darwin Buffaloes vs Waratah Round 17 live stream

It was a classic. Thirty-seven majors in all, an indivdual seven-goal haul and there was even some push and shove. That the Tahs emerged with the points means their opponent’s season is essentially done.

Waratah have kept their top three hopes alive with a close-run win over a lively Darwin Buffaloes outfit in a match that will be remembered as one of the best of the season.

There was plenty on the line for both sides, with a win keeping Buffaloes’ finals hopes alive, while Waratah needed the victory to stay in the hunt for a top three finals berth.

And fittingly the game was played at high tempo from the opening minute, and never let up, with star performers emerging on both sides.

But after a helter-skelter contest, Waratah, who kept grinding all day, sealed a 19.17 (131) to 18.12 (120) success.

Buffaloes took just 15 seconds to prove how much this match meant to them, with Jarrod Stokes bursting out of the midfield and the ball finding its way to Kokwam Niki, who nailed the opener.

Ben Archard was a massive in for the Buffaloes, giving Tah’s hero Arnold Kirby a true rival in the ruck.

Bradley Stokes and Nick Yarran brought plenty of urgency, but most pivotal was tall forward Daniel Stafford, who enjoyed one of his best games in Buffaloes colours.

Daniel Stafford kicked seven goals for the Darwin Buffaloes. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

The spearhead would go on to kick seven goals, but more than that he was busy across the forward line passing off and supplying opportunities.

But however good the Buffaloes were, Waratah matched them at every opportunity, and as their own midfield built into the contest, the scores came back their way.

Brodie Carroll, Lachlan Cassidy and Scott Carlin ran all day out of the middle of the ground, while the experience of Abe Ankers helped them inch ahead.

Cassidy was one of the best on ground from a Waratah perspective, bringing up possession after possession to feed the forward line, where goals were well spread.

Lachlan Cassidy has been a standout for Waratah in the 2023-24 NTFL season. Picture: Patch Clapp / AFLNT Media

Jayden Magro, currently second in the goalkicking count, tried to impose himself on the contest for the reigning premiers, but was kept quiet by the experienced Buffaloes’ backline.

It was only when Waratah got a late run and were able to expose some tired Buffalo legs that they were able to separate themselves, with Carroll kicking the late sealer.

It forced the midfielders to take the ball forward themselves to get the scores, and that’s where most of goals came from with Cassidy, Carroll and Ankers all getting three each.

However, Buffaloes never let up and as the match wore on it turned into a genuine shootout with quick scores coming at both ends.

And as the goals kept coming tensions flared and plenty of push and shove crept into the encounter, particularly at the tail end of the third quarter.

Brodie Carroll stepped up Waratah in their narrow win against Darwin Buffaloes in the 2023-24 NTFL season. Picture: Patch Clapp / AFLNT Media

But still both sides came with Jack O’Sullivan and Tom Spence with scores that were countered by efforts on the opposite end by Kokwam Niki and Kyle McBean.

But Buffaloes legs grew weary late in the day and though there were some daring displays from Matt Campbell and Kevin Maroney.

And instead it was a Waratah side, still fit and ready for the battle who saw the battel out, scoring a couple of late scores including a Major from Carroll that put the battle to bed.

“We were under no illusions, we knew they were going to throw it at us playing for a finals spot,” Cassidy said.

“It was nice to come out of it on top in the end, it was goal for goal for a bit but we composed ourselves and came away by two or three in the end.

“It came down to just slowing the ball down because the ball was just going from one end to the other, and we had to give our defenders a chance against Stafford with it getting down there a bit too easy.

“For us, great to come away with this one, we’re still looking at top three depending on results, but we just want to be playing good footy and we’ve got another chance to do that next week ahead of finals.”

Score:

Buffaloes: 7.3 10.7 15.10 18.12 (120)

Waratah: 4.6 10.9 14.12 19.17 (131)

Goals:

Buffaloes:

Daniel Stafford 7

Kokwam Niki 3

Bradley Stokes 2

Joseph Collinson

Lachlan Hill

Jarrod Stokes

Ishmael Palmer

Matt Campbell

Kyle McBean

Waratah:

Brodie Carroll 3

Lachlan Cassidy 3

Abe Ankers 3

Jayden Magro 2

Scott Carlin 2

Jack O’Sullivan 2

Joel Hillis 2

Tom Spence

Tyson McKenzie

Best:

Buffaloes:

Daniel Stafford

Jarrod Stokes

Bradley Stokes

Nathan Stewart

Kevin Maroney

Waratah:

Lachlan Cassidy

Brodie Carroll

Scott Carlin

Abe Ankers

Jack O’Sullivan

PREVIEW

The Buffaloes have entered the do-or-die phase of their run home.

However, there’s also plenty on the line for reigning premiers Waratah, who need to win the remainder of their matches if they’re to get a finals double chance.

And the NT News and KommunityTV will be there to stream every minute of the action from 2.30pm on Saturday.

The Double Blues have had a good run in recent weeks, winning their past three matches to draw level with fifth-placed PINT to make finals a possibility.

However, they have a rough run home, with top four sides Waratah and St Mary’s both on their agenda.

Skipper Jarrod Stokes has been in exceptional form of late, while Nick Yarran and Baxter Mensch have been real instigators in the midfield alongside him.

Darwin face Waratah in a crucial R17 NTFL clash.

But will these midfield threats be enough to get the better of a Waratah outfit that also has a point to prove, after falling two matches behind the top three.

They also need to win their final two matches to reclaim the double finals chance, and they have the talent to get them there.

Jayden Magro is just two goals behind on the goalkicking race now and will want to make an impact in front of the sticks.

And behind him the likes of Brodie Carroll, Scott Carlin and Lachlan Cassidy will be called on to match it with the destructive Buffaloes midfield.

A full replay of the match will be posted here at 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.