NTFL 2024-25 live stream: Watch St Mary’s v Darwin Buffaloes Round 9

St Mary’s got their percentage boosting win after the Buffaloes failed to build on a positive opening quarter and wilted badly down the stretch in the tough conditions. Check out the REPLAY.

St Mary’s turned a tight first quarter scoreline into a near 100-point procession as the Darwin Buffaloes’ wait for a first win of the NTFL season continues.

The Saints had strong performers across the field and played the difficult conditions better to win 19.11 (125) to 4.5 (29).

It was the Jarrod Stokes show early on as he pulled the Double Blues ahead whether pulling them out the middle to combine with Daniel Stafford before booting three first quarter goals.

Those efforts should have seen the Buffaloes into quarter time ahead, but a spell of ill-discipline gave Connor West a free kick dead in front on the siren and Saints led by one point.

The Saints powered on from there with Will Robinson dominating the ruck battle while West and Dylan Landt were also impactful.

From there it was down to the small forwards who led the play with Nick Yarran, Xavier Vallejo and Beau Tedcastle all having an influence on the occasion.

That second quarter was the game breaker as the ball continuously found its way to Jackson Calder and returnee to the premier league side Jaden McGrath.

The pair went on to combine for 11 goals giving Saints an extra goal scoring option for the season.

Saints’ ability to find space completely took Buffaloes out of the contest, with multiple green and gold jumpers constantly around the ball and finding spaces where the Double Blues were not.

The Buffs chances simply dried up as they kicked just one goal and eight points in the final three quarters of the match.

That was a result of the near ruthless defending from the Saints outfit as every move forward was pounced on, smothered or disrupted by a side pushing for the top spot.

“They threw quite a bit at us early, but it was good to show we could weather the storm and take back control of the game,” McGrath said.

“We were able to play out game and it was great to manage that in those conditions, it proves we can play both the slow contest footy and quick as well no matter what the deck is like.

“For me it was good to be back, I’ve been out for a few years so it’s good to come back and get amongst it and hopefully we can keep this streak going.

“Now we’ve got to keep building into the back half of the season, we’ll enjoy the Christmas break and then come back refreshed and come take off from there.”

Score:

Saints: 2.3 9.5 13.8 19.11 (125)

Buffaloes: 3.2 3.3 4.4 4.5 (29)

Goals:

Saints:

Jackson Calder 6, Jaden McGrath 5, Jack Landt 2, Dylan Landt 2, Connor West, Nick Yarran, Jesse Tuohey, Jack Kluske

Buffaloes:

Jarrod Stokes 3, Tyson Cronin

Best:

Saints:

Connor West, Jaden McGrath, Jackson Calder, Dylan Landt, Ryan Crisp

Buffaloes:

Jarrod Stokes, Matt Campbell, Tim Eldridge, Bradley Stokes, Joseph Collinson

PREVIEW

They may sit at opposite ends of the NTFL ladder, but don’t expect the Buffaloes to let Saints have everything their own way in this battle between old rivals.

The NT News and KommunityTV will stream every moment of this clash from 3pm on Saturday.

St Mary’s proved why they are the champs in their win over league leaders Southern Districts last round, and it’s that momentum they will determined to carry forward.

Ominously, they have now won four games in a row and with midfield maestro Dylan Landt in devastating form, the winless Buffs will face an uphill battle.

St Mary’s defender Kieren Parnell. Picture: Patch Clapp / AFLNT Media

Star goal getter Jackson Calder has a big chance to further enhance his position at the top of the scoring charts, while the Saints’ small forwards will get plenty of the action, too.

The Buffaloes will want to make an impression against their traditional foes, especially after being unable to take the field last round.

Skipper Jarrod Stokes has been their standout all season, while the likes of Tom Simpson and Tim Eldridge have played strong support roles.

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.