NTFL 2023-24: Watch Tiwi Bombers v Wanderers Round 18 live stream

Tiwi Bombers peppered the goals late, but ultimately paid a heavy price for a sluggish start as Wanderers ended a difficult season on an unexpected high. Relive all the action.

Wanderers will take plenty of confidence into their off season after seeing off Tiwi Bombers in a final-round upset.

The Bombers came in to this clash as the firm favourite after a season of positives, stepping in the right direction after three successive wooden spoons.

But it was Wanderers, despite their own 2023-24 season misfortunes, who surged early to take the lead and held on under late pressure to win 11.7 (73) to 8.13 (61).

Wanderers set the tone early by getting the goals needed up front, with Brenton Motlop and Daniel Clee among the benefactors.

Tiwi burst out of the blocks in the second quarter with Brayden Rioli surging the ball forward off his natural pace, while captain Brendan Kantilla also offered himself as a key target.

In an ultra-physical contest that left Tiwi with just one man on the bench, their main players, Sam Darley, Karlson Kantilla and Brendan Kantilla, did their best.

It came down to a tense final quarter where the Bombers peppered the posts, but were ultimately left wanting by a gritty Wanderers’ defence led by Zac Pethybridge and Nathan Arbon.

Matthew Motlop with ball in hand for Wanderers in the 2023-24 NTFL season. Picture: Celina Whan / AFLNT Media

Their workrate enabled Braedon McLean and Daniel Clee to get into their work in the middle and upfront.

Fighting till the final buzzer, both sides were spent at full time, having left nothing in the tank during their final hit out of the season.

“We definitely made it difficult for ourselves there at the end,” Eagles’ McLean said after the 12-point victory.

“Thankfully Tiwi couldn’t kick it straight at the end there.

“They had all the possession.

“But fortunately we had a big enough buffer after kicking well in the first, but we knew that Tiwi come in spurts and can score goals in quick succession.

“But we all dug in and considering we had three debutants and with Mitch Taylor, Shane Thorne and some other boys out we lacked experience but we fought and got the victory and it’s the best possible way to finish the season, with a gutsy win.”

Score:

Tiwi: 0.3 5.4 8.5 8.13 (61)

Wanderers: 4.1 8.2 11.5 11.7 (73)

Goals:

Tiwi:

Brendan Kantilla 2

Roy Kantilla

Angus Murray

Brock Orval

Brayden Rioli

John Tipiloura

Braydon Weily

Wanderers:

Daniel Clee 4

Brenton Motlop 2

Leroy Dhurrkay

Desmond Hood

Braedon McLean

Jobastin Priest

Private Player

Best:

Tiwi:

Brendan Kantilla

Karlson Kantilla

Sam Darley

Patrick Heenan

Angus Murray

Wanderers:

Daniel Clee

Zac Pethybridge

Braedon McLean

Nathan Arborn

Jobastin Priest

PREVIEW

The form of two of the NTFL’s biggest finds of the season will be key if the Tiwi Bombers are to end an encouraging season on a winning note against Wanderers.

Young ruckman Karlson Kantilla and Thaddeus Puautjimi, who has had eight best player awards this season, have emerged as important building blocks for the Bombers and their influence on this game is sure to be immense.

And the NT News and KommunityTV will be there to stream every moment from 2pm on Saturday.

After falling to three successive wooden spoons, with just one win in that time, an influx of youth and other changes have revived the Bombers, who are currently at four wins for the season.

Kantilla has made the ruck his own and can go forward to torp a goal if needed, while Puautijimi is an exciting machine whether on the run or stepping his opposition in the lead up to a score.

The Tiwi Bombers will take on Wanderers in Round 18 of the 2023-24 NTFL season.

Sam Darley, Brendan Kantilla, Michael Thompson and Stanley Tipiloura have also been impressive this year - and they will be keen to send a marker to the rest of the competition for 2024-25

Wanderers have struggled for results all season but have been well served by Braedon McLean, Mitchel Taylor and ball magnet Jaxon East.

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.