NTFL 2023-24: Watch Nightcliff Tigers vs Darwin Buffaloes Round 7 livestream

Down by as much as 35 points early against Nightcliff, the Buffaloes rallied superbly, and then held their nerve under pressure, to pick up an invaluable victory. Re-live all the action.

Darwin Buffaloes fought back from as much as 35 points down to upstage Nightcliff on their own ground and grab some revenge for last year’s elimination final defeat.

Buffaloes came into the encounter chastened by their first defeat of the season - a heavy loss to Southern Districts - and while they started slowly, they were able to win 12.5 (77) to 11.5 (71) in the end.

With Brodie Filo providing safe passage out of midfield, Nightcliff looked the goods early - and, in fact, landed eight straight goals before kicking their first behind midway through the second quarter.

Nick Yarran has been in great form since joining the Darwin Buffaloes in the 2023-24 NTFL season. Picture: Celina Whan / AFLNT Media

The Tigers did an excellent job of keeping out the charging Buffaloes attack as Luke Wines and Lewis Rinaldi shut down everything that was directed their way.

Buffaloes hit back in style, and a team full of former AFL talent such as Rhys Mathieson and Mitch Robinson held their nerve for the following quarters, bolstering their team’s belief.

The Tigers started to flounder on both the offensive and defensive side of the ball, more akin to a deer in headlights than a raging tiger.

Buffs put together brilliant passages of play through the middle corridor off the back of Jarrod Stokes and Nick Yarran utilising their innate skill to their advantage.

Darwin also sorted out their backline through the latter stage of the game, Antonio James, Zander Nash and Bradley Stokes forming a wall at the back.

The Tigers didn’t go down without a fight, kicking two goals and what looked like a third until it was ruled to have gone for a behind.

The Buffs have steadied their season with the win, taking home the Ty Bonson shield and now sitting third on the NTFL ladder.

“We sort of come out not switched on or engaged in the first there,” Darwin’s BOG medalist Nick Yarran said.

“I think having Robbo and Mattho was a big help as they calmed all the boys down and we turned it back on.

“They chipped away at us and told us to settle and go quarter by quarter and slowly keep grinding and I think that belief of us in this Buffaloes jersey, that’s what it is. The belief in each other and to fight is what got us over the line.

“We’re in a bloody tough patch at the moment, (Southern Districts, Nightcliff, Waratah) but that’s good to see where we are.

“Hopefully we can bring in this form against Waratah and dig in and grind out another win.”

Score:

Nightcliff: 4.0 8.1 9.2 11.5 (71)

Darwin: 1.1 5.3 10.5 12.5 (77)

Goals:

Nightcliff:

Cooper Dahms 4

Brodie Filo 2

Cody Szust 2

Jack Monigatti

Michael Randall

Adrian Scott

Darwin:

Daniel Stafford 3

Hassan Ahmat-Watkins 2

Blake Coleman 2

Lachlan Hill

Tyrese Raymond

Mitch Robinson

Charles Sharples

Jarrod Stokes

Best:

Nightcliff:

Cooper Dahms

Brodie Filo

Jake Monigatti

Lachlan Tardrew

Luke Wines

Darwin:

Nick Yarran

Jarrod Stokes

Blake Coleman

Rhys Mathieson

Mith Robinson

PREVIEW

Nightcliff Tigers rose to the top of the NTFL ladder last week, but they face a stiff challenge on Saturday if their reign is to continue into a second weekend.

They play host to a Darwin Buffaloes side full of AFL talent, but reeling after a humbling first defeat of the season last weekend to Southern Districts.

And the NT News and KommunityTV will be there to stream every moment from 6.30pm.

Last time these sides met it was the 2022-23 elimination final when Nightcliff escaped with the win.

The Tigers were at their best in Round 6, breezing past a young, depleted Palmerston outfit and quickly converting opportunities into goals.

Dual Nichols Medallist Brodie Filo has been in fine form while Cody Szust plays his first game since his five-goal outing in Round 3.

Southern Districts blasted the Buffaloes in the final quarter last weekend and, in response, Darwin has named a host of former AFL listed talent, including Mitch Robinson, Rhys Mathieson, Blake Coleman and Phoenix Spicer for the match-up.

There is plenty riding on the Buffaloes v Tigers clash.

Those players, alongside the Buffaloes regular contingent of NTFL talent led by Jarrod Stokes, will take the challenge to Nightcliff, as they seek revenge for last year’s elimination final defeat.

A full replay 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.