NTFL 2024-25 live stream: Watch Waratah vs Tiwi Bombers in Round 14

The Tiwi Bombers overcame a late fightback from a spirited Waratah to pull off their fourth straight win and strengthen their grip on a top three spot. Watch the full match REPLAY here.

Tiwi may have led all day, but it took until the final 30 seconds of the contest for the side to seal the deal in their tight clash against Waratah.

The visitors put their flair aside in the final quarter to outmuscle a misfiring Tahs outfit on a muddy outfield at Gardens Oval.

The win puts the Bombers ambitions of a top three finish further into reality as they managed a fourth win on the trot, winning 11.8 (74) to 8.14 (62).

A full-length team-effort Anthony Munkara major got the Bombers to a quick lead but was just as quickly pulled back courtesy of a Brodie Carroll goal 60 seconds later.

The visitors then ramped the energy up a gear, highlighted by blistering runs up the guts by little maestro Nathaniel Cooper burning the Waratah middle.

Waratah misfired in front of the sticks while the Bombers were able to build a healthy 19-point buffer into the break.

Scott Bedford playing for the Tiwi Bombers in the 2024-25 NTFL season. Picture: Patch Clapp / AFLNT Media

Waratah showed great fight throughout the third, Oliver Poulson impressing with his monster hits and big man Riley Irvin making outrageous plays religiously.

A late flourish of majors including a game changer from Scott Carlin brought the Tahs within reach but should have been in front if not for more wayward kicking.

Veteran Ashton Hams and Tanna Blackney-Noter were crucial in the side not losing the entire lead in the fourth, as Waratah scored a slew of behinds.

But still the Tahs levelled the score as they turned over possession twice in a two minute spell that almost saw the game turned on its head.

Ashton Hams playing for the Tiwi Bombers in the 2024-25 NTFL season. Picture: Patch Clapp / AFLNT Media

Tom Phillips was gifted an inside 50 chance with two and a half minutes left, which he kicked down the uprights.

Scott Bedford then sealed the four points two minutes later with his second of the evening, destroying the Tahs remaining hope of a comeback.

“We definitely had a good start and were on top in the first,” Hams said.

“But we knew this match would be won in the fourth as Waratah play a really good brand of footy that can carve you to bits if you don’t concentrate.

“We panicked and got frustrated for the first half of the fourth and were not playing the appropriate game for the situation.

“Once some of the older heads turned it up a gear, the younger guys followed and that allowed us to place the pressure back on Waratah.

“We know that when we switch it on and stick to it, no-one can hang with us.”

Score

Waratah: 1.1 3.5 6.10 8.14 (62)

Tiwi: 2.2 6.6 9.7 11.9 (75)

Goals

Waratah: Brodie Carroll 2, Hugh Canning, Scott Carlin, Joel Hillis, Fraser Holland-Dean, Tanner Lovell, Oliver Poulson

Tiwi: Scott Bedford 2, Kim Kantilla 2, Malachi Walley 2, Jackson Broadbent, Anthony Munkara, Tom Phillips, Jason Jnr Puruntatameri, Stanley Tipiloura

Best

Waratah: Oliver Poulson, Riley Irvin, Scott Carlin, Timothy Kerinaiua, Liam Odea

Tiwi: Matthew Parker, Ashton Hams, Nathaniel Cooper, Michael Thompson, Malachi Walley

PREVIEW

The Tiwi Bombers and Waratah are only two points apart on the NTFL ladder and there won't be much to separate the two in-form rivals when they square off at Gardens Oval.

The NT News and KommunityTV will stream every moment of the clash from 5pm on Saturday.

Waratah dropped their first game since Round 3 last week against top side Southern Districts but, after leading for much of the contest, proved they’ll be a real force come finals time.

Robby Bartee and Scott Carlin were among the standouts for Tahs throughout the match, while the likes of Liam Odea and Tanner Lovell have been in elite form of late.

Waratah only sit outside the top three because of a forced draw in a called off game to the Buffaloes, otherwise they would be tied for competition points with Nightcliff (second) and Tiwi (third).

Liam Odea playing in the Southern Districts vs Waratah match in Round 13 of the 2024-25 NTFL season. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

The Bombers have not faded from their astonishing start to the season and currently find themselves in the thick of the race for the top three following a huge win against Wanderers last time out.

It’s been a big year of improvement as the Bombers have announced themselves as a force once more with former AFL stars seamlessly linking up with local talent.

Kim Kantilla has been one of the form goal scorers of late scoring four against the Muk Muks, while Matthew Parker put in a best on ground showing.

Jackson Broadbent playing in the Wanderers v the Tiwi Bombers match in Round 13 of the 2024-25 NTFL season. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

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.