NTFL 2023-24: Watch Nightcliff v St Mary’s grand final live stream

St Mary’s had to do it the long way to score sweet revenge against the Nightcliff Tigers and claim premiership number 34 in a muddy scrap of a grand final. Watch the REPLAY.

St Mary’s shook off their Nightcliff hoodoo exactly when it mattered to claim their 34th NTFL premiership title in muddy conditions.

The Tigers had the wood over St Mary’s all season, beating them in each of their three previous meetings, but a sodden TIO Stadium offered a very different prospect.

And it wasn’t to be four losses in a row for the Green Machine against their modern-day rivals, with a third-quarter flurry setting them up for victory in a low-scoring contest.

Despite livewire Cooper Dahms kicking a crucial goal for the Tigers early in the final quarter, the Saints would not be denied, winning 5.14 (44) to 3.13 (31).

St Mary’s shook off their Nightcliff hoodoo exactly when it mattered to claim their 34th NTFL premiership title in muddy conditions.

The Tigers have had the wood over St Mary’s all season beating them in each of their three previous meetings, but a sodden TIO Stadium offered a very different prospect.

And it wasn’t to be four losses in a row for the Green Machine against their modern rivals with a third quarter flurry helping the side in the low scoring

Saints brought the intensity early on trying to get the most of their forward line, which has been the most potent of any side in the 2023-24 NTFL season.

Joel Garner was named best on ground. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

But the Nightcliff defence is as highly touted and they had the Tigers had their patterns sorted with Mitch Norton on Saints’ Jackson Calder and Nathan Brown locking down the exciting Xavier Vallejo.

It meant even though they had the edge on possession coming out of midfield, when Nightcliff’s Liam Buxton didn’t win the tap downs, they got very little out of their forwards in wet conditions.

In the middle Joel Garner proved why he was so desperately missed last time these sides met, and had a best on ground performance gifting clean ball and crashing into contests.

His ability on the ball alongside Nate Paredes stretched the Nightcliff midfield’s attention away from Saints’ skipper and Nichols Medal winner Dylan Landt, allowing him some freedom.

However, very little was working in the forward line with rushed kicks or missed marks going against them when it mattered much, and instead the behind tally went up.

For as much as Saints had issues on the attack so too did the Tigers with Tristan Singh Lippo looking lively, but hitting the posts after his kick bounced awkwardly off the wet surface.

The Tigers did right the wayward kicking first with the first major coming off the boot of Lachlan Tardrew, who benefitted from a John Butcher ruck win, but it was their only for a long time.

They tried to carry that momentum into the second term, and Brett Kennedy almost celebrated before his dribbling poke to goal hit the posts.

Butcher struggled to get clean marks himself, and the work of Will Robinson and Kieran Parnell on defence limited his options on the offence.

Saints had more chances then winning the scoring shots battle seven to three in the second term, with an influential Jack Landt score on the toll of half time sending them ahead for the first time.

The Green Machine didn’t let go of the lead from then on able to get a bit more out of their premium scorer Jackson Calder in the third quarter to lift the scoring.

The Saints’ smalls Xavier Vallejo, Charlton Offermans and Mitch Musgrove all had their moments, while Garner, Landt and Paredes went about their business.

However, Nightcliff weren’t going to let the occasion get away from them with Ryan Nyhuis influential across the park for his side, while Cooper Dahms had plenty of strong moments.

Their efforts led to a score for Butcher late in the piece and considering the low scoring the game was still on, particularly with all the run going their way.

Buxton kept the deliveries coming finishing almost as strong as he had started the encounter, but for all their efforts the Tigers just couldn’t quite claw back the win at the death.

Buxton kept the deliveries coming finishing almost as strong as he had started the encounter, but Saints’ grit won the day and the premiership.

Jackson Calder celebrates a goal. Pic: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

Skipper Landt said his side had finally overcome the scars left by the grand final loss in extra time to Nightcliff in the 2020-21 final.

“It’s been a long few years, I hadn’t really stopped thinking about that loss in extra time, I’m at a loss for words, I’m so happy,” he said.

“It came down to whoever wanted it most, we were hungry, we love these conditions and we had blokes who were willing to put their heads over the footy scrap it out.

“I’m super proud, a lot of people wrote us off at the start of the year and we kept our receipts of blokes writing us off and now I’m just so proud of the work we put in, this team deserves it.”

The win was special as well for coach Anthony Vallejo with the likes of his son, and players he had coached in juniors like Beau Tedcastle and Ben Browne turning up in a Premier League final.

“Full credit to Nightcliff, they threw everything at us, but we knew if we hung with them and played harder for longer we could get on top,” Vallejo said.

“I’m super proud of this side, we had some adversity this year with blokes injured and a fly-in unable to come up, but we had a bunch of kids and local lads step up and get a really good win.”

Nightcliff captain Ryan Nyhuis said the loss hurt and that his side didn’t take their chances as much they had in previous matches against Saints.

“We felt a bit flat out there to be honest and didn’t take our chances when we needed to,” he said.

“It felt like they were first to the footy, their ground ball numbers were up and they were just hungrier, and for us we can’t sit and wait for next week because that won’t come.

“We’ll use this for fire in the belly and hopefully come back stronger particularly if we can maintain this group, because I’m very proud of them.”

Score:

Tigers: 1.4 1.7 2.9 3.13 (31)

Saints: 0.3 2.8 4.11 5.14 (44)

Goals:

Tigers:

John Butcher

Lachlan Tardrew

Cooper Dahms

Saints:

Jackson Calder 3

Jack Landt

Xavier Vallejo

Best:

Tigers:

Liam Buxton

Nathan Brown

Cooper Dahms

Ryan Nyhuis

Mitch Norton

Saints:

Joel Garner (Chaney Medal)

Jack Landt

Jackson Calder

Kieran Parnell

Dylan Landt

PREVIEW

It’s all come down to this, a grand final shootout between defensive powerhouse Nightcliff and a fast-paced St Mary’s.

And the NT News and KommunityTV will be there to stream every minute of the blockbuster clash from 6.45pm on Saturday.

TIGERS

Nightcliff have had the edge in this encounter all year thanks to their ability to shut down Saints’ run and carry coming out of the midfield.

Their defensive set-up, led by captain Ryan Nyhuis alongside the likes of Nathan Brown and Mitch Norton, has then limited Saints’ goalscoring chances.

NTFL COACHES PREDICT WHO WILL WIN THE GRAND FINAL

Last time out it was the dominance of Liam Buxton in the ruck which set the platform for Tigers’ mids Brodie Filo and Cooper Dahms to hit the ground running.

And in doing so they left Saints reeling in the opening quarter and set them up for their first grand final since an extra time triumph against St Mary’s in the 2020-21 season.

“Beating them gives us a little mental edge but it doesn’t really mean much when it comes to grand finals,” Nyhuis said.

“They were pretty polished out there against Southern Districts and we know they’re going to put up a great fight, so hopefully it’s a great game.

Tigers star Ryan Nyhuis. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

“We were probably a minute away from not wanting to relive our last grand final against them, but it was a great game with a great atmosphere and it’s one I will never forget.

“We expect them to come out with the same fight, that proved to me you can never slack off against St Mary’s, they’re pretty good when it comes to these big games.

“It’s pretty special to captain this one, I’m very proud to be back in the NT and to be able to represent this club in a grand final.”

Coach Leigh Crossman was proud of his side to have made it to the decider in his first season at the club.

He said it had come to 22 contributors putting in great performances week after week to get them within touching distance of the prize.

“There’s a buzz around the footy club, Saints offer a really good challenge and this is a great opportunity to win a flag,” Crossman said.

“This first season is going alright at the moment, we have one more to win but I’m extremely proud and confident of the group we’ve put together.

“Defence has been a big part of our game plan, defence wins premierships and we’re lucky to have plenty of guys back there with experience playing together for a number of years.

“The midfield is going to be a key component of this one, they have a number of guys who can go through there, but so do we.”

Ryan Nyhuis and Dylan Landt ahead of the grand final. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

SAINTS

Saints finished the season top of the table and are regarded as one of the best running sides in the competition, but after three defeats so far this season, they are well aware of the threat the Tigers pose.

Key to their title hopes will be newly-minted Nichols Medal winner and captain Dylan Landt, who has enjoyed a great season in the green and gold.

But he knows he will be getting some extra treatment, as he has from Lewis Rinaldi in previous meetings, and will be relying on his midfield comrades, Nate Paredes and Joel Garner, for some help.

Ahead of them is a spread of forwards capable of making a real difference, dual talls Jackson Calder and Tex Korewha to smalls such as Mitch Musgrove and Charlton Offermans.

And with a hard-fought battle against Southern Districts now behind them, they’re all now ready for the battle the big dance brings.

“I’m really excited, the build-up is almost the best part about a grand final, so I’m really soaking in the week and getting through training sessions,” Landt said.

“It was a devastating result last time we played them in a grand final, but that was a few years ago now and this weekend is a chance to get one back against a team that has been really successful.

“Winning a second Nichols hasn’t quite sunk in yet, last year winning it, but being out, didn’t feel the same, but this year is more special because we’re still alive.

St Mary’s star Dylan Landt. Pic: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

“They’ve had the wood over us the three times we’ve played them, but the beauty of footy is we only have to beat them when it counts, and that’s this weekend.

“We’ve been able to learn a few things about what they will bring to us, so we’ve had time to adjust. We have the confidence in our group to know if we play our best we will beat them.”

Coach Anthony Vallejo is no stranger to grand finals with this side having coached them to the big dance now in four of his five seasons as coach, including the 2021-22 season win.

“We’re worried about ourselves and what we can do with our speed, our really good defence and what I reckon is the best on ball team in the competition,” Vallejo said.

“It’s been a team effort all year, we have our star players week in week out, but it’s no surprise that every week we get a different one who stands up and does something special.

“We’ve got nothing to lose coming into this game, they’ve beaten us in every game we’ve played so far this season so more pressure is on them and we have nothing to lose.

“This will be our third grand final against them in five years, it’s a good rivalry to have and they’re a quality team that are well coached.”

A full replay 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.

PREVIOUS MEETINGS THIS SEASON

Round 1 – Nightcliff won 10.3 (63) to 5.14 (44)

Arguably, this was a match where St Mary’s had the run of things in most departments, except where it counted most, the scoreboard.

Spearhead Jackson Calder was forced from the field early with a bad hand injury and his absence allowed the Tigers defence to take full advantage.

Newcomer Jonathan Lanyon was the standout for Nightcliff in his first of just two regular season games, alongside the ever-consistent Brodie Filo in the middle.

Brett Kennedy and Cam Ilett were the top goalscorers for the Tigers while Saints skipper Dylan Landt tried everything to generate momentum for his side.

But, ultimately, this was about who kicked goals, and who could not, with Tigers very accurate in front while Saints missed plenty.

Round 10 – Nightcliff won 11.9 (75) to 8.10 (58)

Despite conceding 58 points, this is up there with one of the best defensive performances from Nightcliff all season.

St Mary’s were easily one of the best offensive units, scoring 100+ points in the five games leading up to the encounter.

However, Nightcliff’s brick wall of Ryan Nyhuis, Mitch Norton and Nathan Brown made inroads almost impossible for Saints after halftime.

Lewis Rinaldi was excellent playing a tagging role on Dylan Landt and restricting his movement through the midfield, a rare feat for anyone this season.

With Landt restricted, Saints lacked their main ball getter out of the midfield, even with Seth Harris and Joel Garner taking on plenty of the slack.

Tristan Singh-Lippo scored three goals for the Tigers while Jackson Calder managed the same for Saints.

Major Semi Final - Nightcliff won 13.9 (87) to 11.10 (76)

Nightcliff bounced straight into the grand final and earned themselves a week off after a dominant opening term, which would have come as St Mary’s worst nightmare.

The rucking prowess of Liam Buxton and a straight line through to John Butcher in the forward line allowed the Tigers to storm to a 5.6 (36) to 0 lead at quarter time.

Saints struck back after the break and a four-goal showing from tall forward Jackson Calder brought the side back to within one point.

But the Tigers kicked clear again and then held strong when St Mary’s finished hard.

Brett Kennedy starred in the forward line with three goals for Tigers while Peter Politis and Brodie Filo were busy throughout.