NTFL 2023-24: Watch Southern Districts vs PINT Round 14 live stream

Southern Districts have broken free in the race for the top three after a thrilling seven-point win over PINT. Watch the full match REPLAY.

Southern Districts held on to defeat PINT by seven points in a low scoring yet entertaining game dominated by both defences.

In the top five encounter it was Districts who came out on top, coming back from a losing position early on to win 8.5 (53) to 7.4 (46).

The Greenant loss snapped a six-match winning streak, but they lost no supporters although a familiar inability to find efficient scoring avenues was apparent.

Opportunist forwards Harry Mckimmie, Benjamin Brett and Warwick Williams booted early goals and PINT went to the first break with a 12-point lead while Districts floundered.

And apart from a strong defensive unit calling the shots, it was left to a typically cool captains goal from Dean Staunton to get his team on the board.

WATCH THE FULL MATCH REPLAY IN THE PLAYER ABOVE

The Crocs found some system in the middle on the back of Jye Bolton and ruckman Matthew Dennis, but the PINT defence held firm with Tom Gaden who, although outsized, effectively shut down Jarrod Brander.

Steven Motlop, Harrison Maher and Brad Ryan also had the better of their direct opponents and continually sent the ball forward, but an equally solid Districts defence led by Mitchell Burgess, Matthew Mazzini and Jordyn Cotter held firm.

The home side was finally rewarded when elegant left-footer Dylan Barry found space and goaled at the 21-minute mark of the second, and his team went to the long break with a single point lead.

Matt Dennis with ball in hand for Southern Districts in the 2023-24 NTFL season. Picture: Patch Clapp / AFLNT Media

Beau Schwarze extended to lead early in the third and Brandner finally broke the shackles and made no mistake a short time later. PINT on the other hand couldn’t break through the rock-solid Croc defence until another opportunist goal from Mckimmie broke the drought.

Although trailing by nine points going into the last, PINT were clearly within touch of another win but despite the move of Motlop into the forward mix where he created openings, two goals was the result but that was matched by Districts who stood firm particularly in defence where Burgess and Cotter were outstanding.

Settling back into the side following a potentially serious jaw injury was Mitchell Burgess and the Victorian recruit was ruthless in his pursuit of the ball in his defensive area.

“That was tough – they brought it to us for the whole game and didn’t give us a break at all, but we managed to hold on and we got a good one there,” Burgess said.

“We were always under the pump down back and while I got a few easy ones from Mazz, all our big boys stood up and kept the ball in our areas so that made it a bit easier for the defence.

“We are getting to the pointy end of the season and while I wasn’t here last year, I sense there is a lot of anger, and the boys are definitely keen to have another crack at it.

“I came up from Warrnambool and Geelong in Victoria - I’m loving it at Districts, they are a unified group and have a point to prove.”

Score:

Districts: 1.1 4.2 6.4 8.5 (53)

PINT 3.1 4.1 5.1 7.4 (46)

Goals:

Districts:

Dean Staunton 2

Dylan Barry 2

Jonathon Ross

Beau Schwarze

Jarrod Brander

Matthew Dennis

PINT:

Harry Mckimmie 3

Lochie O’Brien 2

Warwick Williams

Benjamin Brett

Best:

Districts:

Mitchell Burgess

Jye Bolton

Matthew Mazzini

Matthew Johnston

Jordyn Cotter

PINT:

Lochie O’Brien

Steven Motlop

Harrison Maher

Luke Partington

Brad Ryan

Preview

Southern Districts and PINT are two of four sides tied for second-placed on competition points, but this encounter will put a wedge between them.

And the NT News and KommunityTV will be there to stream every minute of the spectacle from 4pm on Saturday.

Districts, PINT, Waratah and St Mary’s all sit on 32 points, four points adrift of leaders Nightcliff with five rounds left.

With Waratah having the round 14 bye, the winner of this game can go a long way to securing a double shot in the upcoming finals series.

Districts have been incredibly potent this season, with former AFL stars Jarrod Brander, Jed Anderson and Nakia Cockatoo all making an impact.

And n their home deck against the Greenants, they have a chance to show off their strength once again, which draws on plenty of their young talent, too.

PINT and Southern Districts will contest the match of the round for Round 14.

PINT have all-but secured their first-ever spot in the NTFL Premier League finals - and in just their second season.

Against the Crocs they have a chance to not only prove they belong among the finalists, but could also potentially push for a top three berth and secure the double chance.

There’s plenty of talent in this side, too, with Steven Motlop leading the way, while the likes of Connor McDonald and Matt Ryan have also enjoyed impressive seasons.

A full replay of the match will be posted here following the end of the match.

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.