NTFL 2023-24: Watch Waratah vs Nightcliff Tigers Round 9 live stream

Waratah proved they have the ability to see out tight encounters beating Nightcliff in one of the narrowest matches of the season. Watch the full match replay to relive the action.

Waratah came away with the points against Nightcliff after one of the tightest contests of the season marked by defensive efforts on both ends.

The reigning premiers and Nightcliff sat second and third coming into the encounter with a win here guaranteeing second place heading into the next round.

And in a game decided by defensive pressure more than goal runs it was the Tahs who after finding their voice late came out on top to win 6.11 (47) to 5.13 (43).

Waratah gave their opponents an early get out of jail card when a Brodie Carroll handball meant for Anthony Munkara dead in front didn’t go to hands and somehow didn’t result in a goal.

The side made up for their blunder moments later on the opposite end smothering consecutive kicks on goal from the Tigers’ forwards to prevent their early chances.

Will Clark had a strong defensive game for Waratah against Nightcliff in Round 9 of the 2023-24 NTFL season. Picture: Tymunna Clements / AFLNT Media

It was a set of moments which was telling of the whole game, which was an incredibly tight contest ultimately decided by defensive efforts.

Ryan Nyhuis, Mitch Norton, Nathan Brown and Lewis Rinaldi were a brick wall for Nightcliff early on limiting the impact of Tah’s prolific forwards Jayden Magro and Munkara.

On the opposite end it was Dan O’Dwyer, Dylan Collis and Will Clark who were most impactful putting the pressure on Nightcliff when they had their moments.

The experienced Cam Ilett was the first to score for Tigers, after they had scored five behinds, kicking around the shoulder to break the goal deadlock.

Waratah actually seemed to be the side getting the better of the midfield battle with Arnold Kirby, Alex Pulling and Scott Carlin getting plenty of ball, but the Tigers’ wall shut them down.

Difficulties in front of goal became a real theme for the night with neither side unable to strike a major in the second quarter, while they were slim pickings elsewhere.

But it was Waratah who got the run late finally hitting the front when a Thomas Bradshaw effort was finished off by Tyson McKenzie, before Bradshaw got a goal of his own.

That left Nightcliff with the need to respond and they did, with Brodie Filo and Brett Kennedy linking up well to draw one back.

And when Cooper Dahms, who had an otherwise solid outing, got the ball it looked as if they had the win at the death, but his kick went awry and the result went to the reigning premiers.

“It’s good to get one of those close ones come back our way after we lost those two which went the other way earlier in the season,” Collis said.

“It was a tough scrap, probably the toughest conditions you’ll get and it was probably the first time we’ve come up against a side with a genuine offensive game plan.

“It took a little bit to adjust, but they weren’t hurting us on the scoreboard which kept us in the game, neither side had an accurate night but we’re happy with the result.

“We had a few instances in the last couple of minutes where blokes had to lock down the ball stoppage after stoppage, because if it coughed out they would have a shot on goal.

“We just need to worry about what we can control, if we can bring the pressure and play to our strengths we will win, but if we’re five per cent off sides like Districts next week will fix us up.”

Score:

Waratah: 1.2 1.7 4.9 6.11 (47)

Nightcliff: 2.5 2.8 4.10 5.13 (43)

Goals:

Waratah:

Jayden Magro 2

Scott Carlin

Tyson McKenzie

Thomas Bradshaw

Alex Pulling

Nightcliff:

Mitchell Randall 2

Stanley Cox

Brett Kennedy

Cam Ilett

Best:

Waratah:

Alex Pulling

Scott Carlin

Arnold Kirby

Dylan Collis

Will Clark

Nightcliff:

Ryan Nyhuis

Stanley Cox

Lewis Rinaldi

Roger Morris

Brodie Filo

Preview

It’s second against third in one of the most eagerly-awaited clashes of the season yet.

Fresh from an impressive win over Southern Districts, Nightcliff Tigers take on reigning premiers Waratah, who themselves are in some pretty tasty form.

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

The Tigers bounced back from a shock loss to the Buffaloes by putting on wonderful show of accurate kicking against Districts, with 15 of their 17 scoring shots registering as majors.

Up to that stage the Crocs had been rampaging through the competition, but the Tigers proved they had the goods to stop them with a defence full of talent, including Ryan Nyhuis and Mitch Norton.

And then there’s their x-factor young forwards, Tristan Singh-Lippo and Adrian Scott.

Nightcliff and Waratah clash on Saturday night.

Now they can expect another robust challenge from Waratah, who have hit their stride in recent weeks.

The Tahs beat the Buffaloes last round and, with their midfield combinations clicking, are causing trouble for all comers.

Former Swan Ryan Clarke has racked up the possessions alongside the likes of Brodie Carroll and Scott Carlin to maximise opportunities for their forwards.

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