NTFL 2023-24: Watch Wanderers vs Darwin Buffaloes Round 2 livestream

Darwin Buffaloes are on the top of the table after surviving a late scare from the Wanderers in a milestone game for both teams. WATCH THE REPLAY.

The Darwin Buffaloes survived a late scare from Wanderers to give their skipper a 200th game milestone victory and surge to the top of the NTFL table.

There were milestones on both sides in the Round 2 encounter with Buffaloes’ captain Jarrod Stokes on 200 games, while Wanderers’ Nathan Jones-Cubillo and Marcus Totham pulled up 100 matches.

It was, however, the Double Blues who got to celebrate the victory becoming the only undefeated NTFL side after two weeks with their 12.17 (89) to 10.12 (72) win.

The Buffaloes dominated early on racing into their forward 50, getting quick goals off Hassan Ahmat-Watkins and Daniel Stafford, while former Port Adelaide-listed Trent Burgoyne got a popular score.

The side were also incredibly conscious of getting a score for their milestone man and last year’s NT News Player of the Year.

Jarrod Stokes played his 200th game for the Darwin Buffaloes against Wanderers in Round 2 of the 2023-24 NTFL season. Picture: Celina Whan / AFLNT Media

Stokes’ service game, alongside Baxter Mensch, was dominant early on as he had the ball on a string, however the goal didn’t come quickly.

The Muk Muks stuck in the contest throughout with Nathan Arbon and Marcus Totham seeing plenty of the ball, however their big forward Ed Simpson was locked down by Kevin Maroney.

Stokes finally got his goal at the top of the second period with his side getting around him for the occasion, but the Buffaloes dominance did waver more as the game wore on.

Instead Dray Thompson showed his creativity for Wanderers while Daniel Clee and Braedon McLean were busy across the ground.

As was Aiden Domic who took on goal scoring duties late in the match, while winning the ball in the contest as well, and their growing forward pressure forced mistakes from the Buffs’ backline.

The Eagles came as close as within 10 points at one stage, building well up the ground to give themselves the best chance possible to steal the game.

However, Stokes took the game on himself with second and third efforts as he popped up everywhere across the midfield and forwards.

Buffaloes weathered the scare and managed to push the margin back out as the Wanderers tired, with a Matt Campbell 60m bomb the highlight, and were able to seal the deal.

“I’m very fortunate to be able to play for the Double Blue, and to have played 200 games just feels awesome,” Stokes said.

“To have all my family and friends come down for the game and support me makes me feel good, it means a lot.

“This week we just needed to come out with the right mindset, last week we had a slow start so had to play catch up footy, so I think mindset was huge for us.

“I’ll never doubt the boy’s efforts, it just comes down to executing our skills and finishing on the scoreboard, and then we just need to carry this momentum into our next games.”

Score:

Wanderers: 2.4 4.7 7.10 10.12 (72)

Buffaloes: 6.6 9.10 10.14 12.17 (89)

Goals:

Wanderers:

Aiden Domic 3

Ryan McMurray

Nathan Arbon

Henry White

Dray Thompson

Mahli King

Matthew Young

Ed Simpson

Buffaloes:

Jarrod Stokes 3

Hassan Ahmat-Watkins 3

Daniel Stafford 2

Ishmael Palmer 2

Baxter Mensch

Trent Burgoyne

Matt Campbell

Best:

Wanderers:

Aiden Domic

Marcus Totham

Nathan Arbon

Dray Thompson

Mahli King

Buffaloes:

Jarrod Stokes

Kevin Maroney

Baxter Mensch

Daniel Stafford

Isaac Seden-Kurnoth

Preview

The Darwin Buffaloes are after a milestone win for their captain, Jarrod Stokes, but first they need to get the win against a Wanderers side growing in confidence.

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

The Buffaloes’ had a confidence boosting first round of their own clawing their way back from 20-points down against PINT to come out the winners.

It was a mark that this Buffs side are all in for each other, and have the fitness to see out games they may not have in previous seasons.

LOOKING FOR ANOTHER GAME? FIND THE LINKS TO ALL ROUND 2 GAMES BELOW

Jarrod Stokes of the Darwin Buffaloes against Marcus Totham of Wanderers ahead of their Round 2 2023-24 NTFL clash. Picture: Celina Whan / AFLNT Media

But all eyes will be on last year’s NT News Player of the Year, Stokes, who will be expected to make a real impact in the midfield to mark his 200th Premier League game.

Meanwhile, Wanderers have a squad of tried and tested players at this level with some of their top line talent, including Nathan Arbon and Marcus Totham performing well in the first round win.

They’re another side who know how to pile on the points once they find momentum, and will be hoping to put up a contest against their rivals.

Full replays 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.