NTFL 2023-24: Watch Nightcliff Tigers vs Southern Districts Round 17 live stream

The Tigers have fired a huge warning shot on the eve of finals as two brothers ran riot at Nightcliff Oval. Watch the full match REPLAY from the top of the table clash.

The NTFL finals race might be the tightest it has been in years, but it hasn’t stopped Nightcliff from firing the first major warning shot on finals eve.

The Tigers put daylight between themselves and Southern Districts on the NTFL ladder, all but locking up their spot in the NTFL top two with a round to go.

Through their smothering defence and genius in the midfield, the Tigers ran away to the tune of a 11.9 (75) to 9.11 (65) victory.

The win also put Tigers out of reach of fourth-placed Waratah, locking up a second chance semi-final in the first week of the play-offs.

WATCH THE FULL MATCH REPLAY IN THE PLAYER ABOVE

With both outfits fielding the majority of their main players, it was always going to be a tough and close affair from the first whistle, and that’s exactly what happened.

After a period of nothingness, it was the Crocs who slotted the first maximum of the night, courtesy of Dylan Barry’s left boot.

They’d continue their overwhelming pressure, not allowing the Tigers to escape their own end, and cashed in on a mistake for their second goal of the night.

It was a sizzling second quarter effort which helped the Tigers get clear of their rivals as they kicked five goals to two. Exciting duo Zac and Jay Moody combined for six goals throughout the encounter.

Brodie Filo racing downfield for the Nightcliff Tigers in the 2023-24 NTFL season. Picture: Patch Clapp / AFLNT Media

From big men Matthew Dennis and Liam Buxton going at it in the ruck to Jed Anderson and Zachary Moody getting friendly in the middle, it was Nightcliff’s ability to nullify Jarrod Brander and Johnathon Ross that spurred them on in the offensive side of the field.

“That performance was exactly what we’ve been working on all season,” Tigers’ Zach Moody said.

“We’re all about role-players, and we have a lot of good ones in our side.

“But credit to them (Crocs) they’re a bloody tough team and certainty made us work till the very end for the win.

“The win means we’ve locked in top three now which is awesome and we’ve got Waratah next who are not going to be any easier than these (Crocs) fellas.

“But it doesn’t look like we’ve got any injuries and we’re all ready for a final push before finals.”

Score:

Tigers: 4.1 9.3 10.7 11.9 (75)

Crocs: 3.4 5.6 7.8 9.11 (65)

Goals:

Tigers:

Jay Moody 4

Zach Moody 2

Dylan Clarke

Cooper Dahms

Kyle Emery

Brodie Filo

Luke Wines

Crocs:

Dylan Barry 4

Jed Anderson 2

Jordyn Cotter

Roy George

Wyatt Ryan

Best:

Tigers:

Zach Moody

Nathan Brown

Luke Wines

Liam Buxton

Brodie Filo

Crocs:

Dylan Barry

Jordyn Cotter

Mackenzie Slee

Dean Staunton

Mitchell Burgess

Preview

Locked in an engrossing three-way battle for the minor premiership, Nightcliff Tigers and Southern Districts clash in one of the most pivotal games of the season to date.

And the NT News and KommunityTV will be there to stream every moment from 4.30pm on Saturday.

Nightcliff have been at the top for several weeks now, but have two tough games to round out their season.

Nightcliff are the strongest defensive side in the competition, and have a midfield to back them up with Brodie Filo and Cooper Dahms among the league’s best.

But despite that backline prowess, Districts are the side to have posted the most points against them this season, scoring 12.12 (84) in a defeat back in Round 8.

Southern Districts will take on the Nightcliff Tigers in Round 17 on Saturday.

The Crocs won the scoring shots battle 24-17 on that day, and despite losing the match by eight points, know they have the talent to take the game to Tigers and get some momentum ahead of their final round bye.

Jarrod Brander is the current goalkicking front runner, while the likes of Jye Bolton, Jed Anderson and Beau Schwarze have all been tearing it up in the midfield in recent weeks.

For Districts, a win here is a must if they are to secure their spot in the top three.

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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.