NTFL 2024-25 live stream: Watch Tiwi Bombers v Wanderers Round 1
Tiwi Bombers kicked a new campaign off in some style, piling on the goals in a dominant second half performance to see off the plucky challenge from Wanderers. Catch up on the REPLAY.
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A Tiwi Bombers side full of big inclusions, including an AFL star, broke free of a shootout in the second half to post an opening round victory against Wanderers.
Wanderers had the better of Tiwi the last time either of these sides played in Round 18 last season, but Tiwi never ran out of puff, nor pace, to win this one, eventually triumphing 19.9 (123) to 9.12 (66).
Former Muk Muks captain Braedon McLean made an immediate impact in his new colours, shifting play impresively from the backline, alongside Tiwi returner Ashton Hams.
Their work rate alongside Sam Darley and Karlson Kantilla through the middle allowed the usual Tiwi speed and x-factor to come to the fore and, soon enough, William Munkara had the first goal.
Anthony Munkara was another menace for the Bombers in his return to the outfit from Waratah and a stint at Essendon, booting goals to the delight of his teammates.
There was plenty of attention on Richmond premiership player Marlion Pickett, who despite missing his first shot at goal for a behind, did the job in a necessary acclimatisation outing.
Wanderers didn’t bow early with their skipper Mitchel Taylor lifting the pressure in the backline, while Jaxon East and Jack Sinclair saw plenty of the ball through the midfield.
Those efforts kept them in the game as they matched speed for speed with Jak Trewin bursting through the ranks for a goal or two.
But for all those efforts to try and tire their opposition, Tiwi never let go of the lead and, after halftime, were able to shoot clear as they lifted the intensity.
Tiwi skipper Brendan Kantilla was another star of the show working around the midfield and booting five goals of his own as his side surged.
In doing so the side broke their early season hoodoo of recent seasons, and marked themselves as one of the danger sides of the season to come.
“It’s a really positive start, it’s probably the most even performance from a Tiwi side we’ve had in the past four years and everyone played their role to achieve that,” Darley said.
“We have more than 50 blokes available, which Tiwi hasn’t had for a long time so there’s pressure on spots, the boys are fitter and as a result we’re less likely to have those fadeouts of old.
“We have a ton of blokes bringing experience and leadership and for our young group including five teenagers and one guy who just turned 20 it makes a huge difference.
“Having Pickett is great, for a community like the Tiwi where footy is almost a religion to have a bloke fresh out of the AFL it’s pretty special for them to have that access to him.
“We hope he had fun, and now it’s on to next week, we want to teach these boys how to prepare for games so our history of hot stretches followed by fall offs will no longer be the case.”
Score:
Bombers: 4.3 9.4 16.8 19.9 (123)
Wanderers: 2.2 6.6 7.9 9.12 (66)
Goals:
Bombers:
Brendan Kantilla 5
William Munkara 4
Anthony Munkara 4
Michael Thompson 2
Bradeon McLean
Karlson Kantilla
Nicholas Hooker
Blake Puruntatameri
Wanderers:
Jak Trewin 2
Tyson Whyte 2
Jeremy Piercy 2
Jobastin Priest
Thomas Knight
Best:
Bombers:
Brendan Kantilla
Anthony Munkara
William Munkara
Sam Darley
Ashton Hams
Wanderers:
Jaxon East
Jeremy Piercy
Jack Sinclair
Mitchel Taylor
Jak Trewin
PREVIEW
Wanderers ended last season on an unexpected high by beating Tiwi Bombers, now they will be looking to kick off their new NTFL season with a win against the same opposition.
And the NT News and KommunityTV will stream every moment from 2pm on Saturday.
A big talking point for this match is former Wanderers captain and multiple NTFL rep skipper Braedon McLean’s move to the Bombers.
The long-time Muk Muk moved to help bolster Tiwi late in the pre-season, and it will be intriguing to see how he goes against his former club.
Check the weekend LIVE STREAM schedule below.
Otherwise, Wanderers will start the season with a very similar look to last season, with Mitchel Taylor once more taking on the captaincy.
Jaxon East was among the Eagles’ standouts in 2023-24 where he proved a constant threat around the ball, while Brenton Motlop is coming off a strong NRL NT season with the Nightcliff Dragons.
The question is still out on if Marlion Pickett will play for the Bombers in Round 1, but expect plenty of X-Factor from Tiwi’s younger players such as Karlson Kantilla, who was named best on ground in the Tiwi Islands grand final.
Watch a 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.
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