NTFL 2024-25 live stream: Watch Nightcliff Tigers v Darwin Buffaloes, Men’s Premier League Round 2

Nightcliff have now kicked 31 behinds in just two games, but they still found enough quality in front of goal to open their win account at the expense of the Buffaloes. Watch the REPLAY here.

Nightcliff’s kicking woes almost came to bite them once again, but they had enough quality when it mattered most to see off the challenge of Darwin Buffaloes.

The Tigers were inaccurate in their opening round loss to St Mary’s and it threatened to plague them again in Round 2.

Luckily for the home team, Brett Kennedy (five goals), Stanley Cox (two goals) and a dominant midfield had other ideas.

Despite falling behind briefly in the final term, Nightcliff did enough to get themselves home 11.19 (85) to 10.10 (70).

Trailing by six points at the last break, goals to Jarrod Stokes and Liam Holt-Fitz gave the Double Blues the lead at the five-minute mark, but that was countered by a brace from Tiger forward Brett Kennedy and the sealer from Bailey Edwards at the 17-minute mark.

The Tigers leapt out of the blocks and had two goals on the board in the blink of an eye but Buffs regrouped and while the home side dominated the ruck duels the clearances belonged to the visitors.

Sean Hunter playing for the Nightcliff Tigers in the 2024-25 NTFL season. Picture: Celina Whan / AFLNT Media

They continually rushed forward without too much early success, but when the robust Will Irwin and then Holt-Fitz got hold of the Sherrin, they put some pep into the Double Blues.

Then it was inspirational skipper Stokes who dashed clear and when the ball sailed through, his side went to the first break holding a slender lead.

Caleb Walker and Hau-Tze Rock got the Tigers going in the second with an early goal each but in an even contest, Callum Hutcheson and defender-cum-forward Bradley Stokes squared the ledger a short time later.

However, with veteran Cameron Ilett roaming across the forward half and key forwards Kennedy and Stanley Cox adding to their tally, the home side went to the long break with a 17-point buffer.

Both defences were holding up in the third, but the challenging contest resulted in an undisciplined Tiger defensive act and a warranted 50m penalty to Irwin gifted him a six-pointer.

Buffs kept their cool and trailed by a mere six points going into the last.

Despite the Jarrod Stokes and Holt-Fitz heroics, it was Kennedy with two goals and Edwards who steered the home side to victory in the dying minutes of the match.

Ben Vile playing for the Nightcliff Tigers in the 2024-25 NTFL season. Picture: Celina Whan / AFLNT Media

Kennedy’s five goals was a game high, but he was more pleased about the victory despite a poor scoreboard return.

“We are taking a while to adjust with a bunch of new boys and a change of game plan, but we got the job done in the end which is good,” Kennedy said.

“We know what Buffaloes are going to bring every time we play them – it’s all heart and soul and they are competitors and today was no exception.

“We missed a few today and the same thing happened last week so while the goal kicking is important, we are more concerned about setting up structures and eventually the shots on goal will fix themselves.

“A win and a loss so far but we are not really worried because we’ve got some quality players yet to come in and that alone puts pressure on all of us at the moment.”

Score

Nightcliff: 2.4 7.8 8.14 11.19 (85)

Buffaloes: 3.2 5.3 8.8 10.10 (70)

Goals

Nightcliff

Brett Kennedy 5, Stanley Cox 2, Caleb Walker, Hau-Tze Rock, Cameron Ilett, Bailey Edwards

Buffaloes

Will Irwin 3, Liam Holt-Fitz 2, Jarrod Stokes 2, Bradley Stokes 2, Callum Hutcheson

Best

Nightcliff

Sean Hunter, Zac Derkson, Ben Vile, Brett Kennedy, Joel Budarick

Buffaloes

James Bainbridge, Callum Hutcheson, Will Irwin, Jarrod Stokes, Chris Williams

PREVIEW

Nightcliff Tigers know they have the pieces to get a win on their home deck, but to get past the Darwin Buffaloes they need to convert chances into points.

NT News and KommunityTV will stream every moment of this big clash from 6pm on Saturday.

There will have been a strong focus on goalkicking in the lead up to this game after the Tigers kicked 4.12 in their opener round loss to reigning premiers St Mary’s.

Nightcliff had the upper hand at times against St Mary’s with dual Nichols medallist Brodie Filo a big ball winner, but failure to convert was a large reason why the win went the other way.

Check the LIVE STREAM schedule below.

Tom Simpson playing for the Darwin Buffaloes against PINT in the opening round.

The Buffaloes are also chasing a win after losing their opener to PINT with a similarly rusty Round 1 performance.

League debutant Tom Simpson was the standout for the Buffs getting plenty of the action, and he will be a focal point again.

Watch the full replay 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.