NTFL 2023-24: Watch Nightcliff Tigers v Waratah qualifying final live stream

Down and seemingly out for three-quarters of the game, Nightcliff launched a frantic final quarter surge to reel in Waratah and set up a major semifinal showdown with St Mary’s. Catch the REPLAY.

Nightcliff fought back from a 22-point deficit at three-quarter time to pull off one of the best comebacks of the season in a thrilling qualifying final clash with Waratah.

In their second meeting in as many weeks, the reigning premiers and Tigers battled for the honour of facing St Mary’s in the major semi-final.

And while Waratah have had the better of the Tigers in both their previous meetings, an insane final quarter surge sealed a 9.10 (64) to 9.8 (62) win at the death.

Nightcliff have had the best defence all season, but it was brutally exposed in the opening quarter.

Tahs, who were missing this season’s leading goalicker in Jayden Magro. simply had all the answers early and scored five goals.

Anthony Munkara, who was on Essendon’s list last season, provided the inspiration in his absence with three goals.

Arnold Kirby was a massive presence in the midfield, but he did face plenty of pressure from Nightcliff’s Liam Buxton in the ruck.

Waratah were the defensive powerhouse early in the piece, rebounding just about everything that came their way, with Dan O’Dwyer, in particular, looking imperious.

However, despite having just one goal to their name at halftime, the Tigers never gave up.

And they began to chip away at the lead with a Brodie Filo bomb from 50m and a soccer goal from Ryan Nyhuis gave the side belief.

Nightcliff's Brodie Filo had a typically big game against Waratah in the 2023-24 NTFL qualifying final. Picture: Celina Whan / AFLNT Media

It was those experienced heads alongside Cam Ilett, who moved into the forward line, that pulled the side from a brink of a loss right back into contention.

The Tigers kicked the first three goals of the final quarter through Lachlan Tardrew, Zach Moody and Petros Politis to only trail by four points.

Waratah steadied and a major from Toby Hutt sent them out a double figure advantage only to see the Tigers rise again.

But it was clear they were losing their dominance in the contest, despite the best efforts of the likes of Lachlan Cassidy and Brodie Carroll.

Adrian Scott, who had been exciting late, got Nightcliff within striking distance and the side didn’t stop coming from there.

Adrian Scott made a huge impact late for the Nightcliff Tigers against Waratah in the 2023-24 NTFL qualifying final. Picture: Tymunna Clements / AFLNT Media

And eventually the ball ended up in the hands of Cody Szust, who had picked up in possessions in the closing period, and nailed a banana goal to put his side in front for the first time.

And it was lead they held on to through the remaining minutes, keeping the ball in their own forward half until the siren sounded.

“We were down five goals against a quality side who are coached very well and set up very well,” Nyhuis said.

“To come back from that was awesome, we had to take some risks and fortunately it paid off giving us a lot of momentum and belief heading into the next couple of games.

“We probably weren’t playing our brand of footy as well as would have liked, it was probably moving up and down the ground a bit too freely for our liking so we had to tighten up.

“We know they like to transition well and use that run and carry, so we had to tighten up and force them down the line which allowed us to play on our terms and fortunately get the win.”

Score:

Nightcliff: 0.2 1.5 4.8 9.10 (64)

Waratah: 5.2 5.4 8.7 9.8 (62)

Goals:

Nightcliff:

Cam Ilett

Cody Szust

Brodie Filo

Kyle Emery

Lachlan Tardrew

Ryan Nyhuis

Adrian Scott

Peter Politis

Zach Moody

Waratah:

Anthony Munkara 3

Toby Hutt 3

Arnold Kirby

Joel Hillis

Brodie Carroll

Best:

Nightcliff:

Ryan Nyhuis

Brodie Filo

Cam Ilett

Cody Szust

Lachlan Tardrew

Waratah:

Arnold Kirby

Lachlan Cassidy

Dan O’Dwyer

Anthony Munkara

Dylan Collis

PREVIEW

They may have finished ahead of them on the table, but Nightcliff don’t have fond memories of their two previous encounters with Waratah this season.

The Tigers have beaten minor premiers St Mary’s and fourth-placed Southern Districts twice, yet have found the Tahs a particularly stubborn opponent in the 2023-24 season.

And the NT News and KommunityTV will be there to stream every moment of the qualifying final from 6.45pm on Saturday.

Only 181 points - or 23 goals - have been scored in the two previous matches this season as strong defences and power in the midfield reigned.

Scott Carlin, Lachlan Cassidy and Brodie Carroll, all feeding off Arnold Kirby, have been the standouts for the Tahs all year, and will again need to be on song against the Tigers.

Who will take the Waratah v Nightcliff qualifying final?

Aside from their scoreboard struggles against the Tahs, Nightcliff have been solid in front of goal, averaging almost 100 points a game.

But while they have impressive options up forward in the likes of Jay Moody or Brett Kennedy, no individual has scored more than 25 goals this season.

It’s perhaps the main chink in their armour as they are a side that prefers to strangle their opposition out of the contest rather than surge themselves.

Brodie Filo and Cooper Dahms have been great through the midfield though, and down back Nightcliff have one of the best defensive units in the competition.

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.

LAST TIME(S) THEY MET:

Round 9: Waratah won 6.11 (47) to 5.13 (43)

A match in which both sides struggled to kick straight and most of the work was done by strong defences and in a competitive midfield battle.

Waratah trailed at every change, but two goals in the final quarter from Tyson McKenzie and Thomas Bradshaw shot them to an advantage they never relinquished.

Nightcliff stayed in the contest to the death - and could have won it late - but in a moment that had become typical for the game, Cooper Dahms’ kick at goal went awry.

Jack O’Sullivan and Dan O’Dwyer were the standouts defensively for Waratah, while it was defenders Ryan Nyhuis and Lewis Rinaldi who stood tallest for Nightcliff.

Round 18: Waratah won 9.7 (61) to 3.12 (30)

The most recent game for both sides and one that allowed the Tahs to climb into the top three and secure their finals double chance.

Nightcliff came in as the favourites on recent form, but an inability to convert chances in front of goal swung the momentum in Waratah’s favour.

It was a perfect finish to the year for Waratah who collected both the Golden Shovel, for winning the Battle of the Beaches, and the Dennis Dunn leading goalkicker award for Jayden Magro.

Nightcliff, who will have quickly have to put that defeat behind them, know they have the defensive unit to get the job done, particularly with the likes of Cody Szust, Cam Wild and Lachlan Tardrew still to come back.