NTFL 2023-24: Watch Waratah vs Palmerston Magpies Round 7 livestream

Waratah scored 46 points before Palmerston got on the board as the defending premiers showed their ruthless streak in picking up a huge percentage booster. Re-live all the action.

Waratah’s midfield dominance and team first approach proved far too much for the hapless Palmerston Magpies in their Round 7 encounter.

On the back of their clean deliveries and quick transitions, Waratah won 21.15 (141) to 5.8 (38).

Arnold Kirby had an instant influence on his return to the Waratah ruck and his midfield unit were able to get plenty of possession off the back of his work rate.

Ryan Clarke, Scott Carlin and Brodie Carroll were dominant racking up disposals and, as a result, their forwards were able to pepper the goalposts.

Experienced campaigner Ashton Hams and young gun Enrique Andrews put the pressure on for Palmerston, but their opponents eventually had their first goal through former Swan Clarke.

It was the first of a busy half for Tahs with Jayden Magro shooting for goal every chance he got, while Alex Pulling and Joel Crocker were also able to show what they could do in front of goal.

Meanwhile, Waylon Davey tried to inject some pace into the Palmerston attack, while ruck man Matthew Gook was busy as well, but they had nothing to show from their efforts in the first quarter.

The Waratah defence had Palmerston’s measure, especially with captain Dylan Collis playing the sweeper role, and from there his side were far too quick transitioning the ball to goal.

It was much of the same as the match wore on, with both Will Collis and Anthony Munkara also putting their hands up for multiple goals of their own for Tahs.

But in a positive for Palmerston, they had finally had some chances of their own late in the piece with Lucas Edmonds, in particular, prominent.

Anthony Munkara has been a consistent goal scoring threat for Waratah in the 2023-24 NTFL season. Picture: Tymunna Clements / AFLNT Media

It wasn’t enough to narrow the margin by any means, with Magro increasing his tally to seven goals while Kirby, who was everywhere, kicked one of his own.

The Magpies kept trying, but only really found some parity when Waratah let off the pace later in the piece, with Levi Grigg one of the key contributors for Palmerston late.

“We started to feel the effects of the heat in the second half, but we set the game up in the first and really took it away from them there,” captain Dylan Collis said.

“After those couple of losses we’ve just played more as a team, where we weren’t as connected beforehand, and playing team footy is helping us win.

“We know we need the percentage from games like this, because the top five is going to be tight, it could be anyone’s game and we really need to finish top three to give ourselves a crack.

“We’ve got Buffs next and we know our work will be cut for us again, they’ve got a really strong midfield and we know we need to match them.”

Score:

Waratah: 6.4 13.7 17.12 21.15 (141)

Palmerston: 0.0 2.3 3.3 4.8 (32)

Goals:

Waratah:

Jayden Magro 7

Anthony Munkara 4

Will Collis 2

Alex Pulling 2

Brodie Carroll

Ryan Clarke

Dylan Collis

James Arratta

Joel Crocker

Arnold Kirby

Palmerston:

Lucas Edmonds 2

Levi Grigg

Joshus Patullo

Best:

Waratah:

Ryan Clarke

Jayden Magro

Dylan Collis

Will Collis

Brodie Carroll

Palmerston:

Lucas Edmonds

Levi Griff

Perry Lewis-Smith

Ashton Hams

Michael Driscoll

PREVIEW

Six rounds into the new season and it’s been tough going for Palmerston.

While they have looked good in patches in some games, they have been totally off the pace in others - and it doesn’t get any easier on Saturday against Waratah.

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

The reigning premiers properly hit their straps last week after conceding the opening three goals against the Tiwi Bombers.

From there on, they completely dominated. They have the firepower across the field to put any side to the sword, particularly in the midfield where former Sydney Swan Ryan Clarke proved a big in.

Their forwards, whether it’s Jayden Magro, Anthony Munkara or Jack O’Sullivan, can all put in a shift and will be licking their lips at the prospect of more goals.

Palmerston are hunting a marked improvement on their disappointing showing against Nightcliff last week.

They only managed three goals for the entire match against the Tigers and know they need to do better if they’re going to post a win this season.

Palmerston and Waratah will face off in Round 7 on Saturday.

They may be missing a few of their stars, but Palmerston does still have plenty of young talent, including Waylon Davey and Enrique Andrews, and should they put it together, they may get some results their way.

A 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.