NTFL 2023-24: Watch Palmerston Magpies vs Wanderers Round 1 livestream

A tough Wanderers’ outfit earned themselves the perfect start to the 2023-24 NTFL season beating Palmerston in an arm wrestle. WATCH THE REPLAY.

A tough and committed Wanderers opened their season with a resounding 29-point win over Palmerston at TIO Stadium.

The Eagles, coming in with plenty of changes, were never headed and won 11.7 (73) to 6.6 (44) in the battle of the birds.

From the very first bounce Eagle small forward Jerome Motlop pounced on a loose ball and booted truly to register a goal inside the first minute of play.

And when former skipper Braedon McLean got another from a long distance out, the Eagles had manufactured the perfect start.

But a systematic forward move by the Magpies found Joshua Patullo, and he goaled from close range.

Two goals from Tyson Whyte extended the Muk Muk’s lead but Waylon Davey got loose and ran downfield aiming for Patullo, who again goaled with a clever grubbing kick from the right forward pocket.

The second opened in a frenzy by both sides but Palmy settled best and were rewarded with the opener by Lucas Edmonds.

However, two goals within a minute by Wanderers returned the favour and gave them back distinct scoreboard advantage halfway through the term and at the long break, the Eagles led by 11 points.

Tyson Whyte scores for Wanderers against Palmerston Magpies in Round 1 of the 2023-24 NTFL season. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

The third term was an arm wrestle until Edmonds marked strongly and goaled from 50m and then Whyte squared the ledger with his fourth for the game at the halfway stage of the quarter.

But an opportunist Shane Thorne goal from the square ensured the Muk Muks turned into the last with a 19-point lead.

The arm wrestle continued, but Marcus Totham broke the game open, with an elegant goal using the best of his evasive skills.

Winning coach Aaron Motlop said he was proud of the commitment of all his players.

“We’ve had a bit of a reset at the club but today began a new era and I’m really proud of the blokes because while Palmerston kept coming, we stood strong and committed,” he said.

“It wasn’t pretty out there, in fact round one is never pretty with lace out passes and fancy goals, but it’s all about the grind, effort and an ability to continue to work.

“We will have a low profile this season, but our emphasis will be to compete whether the ball is on the ground or in the air and with new skipper Mitchell Taylor at the helm, we will be well led on the field.”

Score:

Palmerston: 3.1 5.3 6.5 6.8 (44)

Wanderers: 5.1 7.2 9.5 11.7 (73)

Goals:

Palmerston:

Joshua Patullo 2

Lucas Edmonds 2

Waylon Davey

Michael Driscoll

Wanderers:

Tyson Whyte 5

Jerome Motlop

Braedon McLean

Mahli King

Benjamin Charles

Shane Thorne

Marcus Totham

Best:

Palmerston:

Waylon Davey

Jaymie Youle

Kain Fuller

Ryan Warfe

Phillip Wills

Wanderers:

Nathan Arbon

Mahli King

Tyson Whyte

Marcus Totham

Mitchell Taylor

Preview

Wanderers and Palmerston are both chasing a confidence-boosting opening round win when they clash at TIO Stadium.

And the NT News and KommunityTV will be there to stream every moment of the spectacle from 4.30pm Saturday.

Neither side quite lived up to their expectations last season, both fading before the finals fight.

However, they’re back for another go in the 2023-24 season with both targeting a winning start to set their season up on.

Wanderers are a traditional powerhouse, but are currently in a transitional phase building on the young and local talent they have at their disposal.

Palmerston Magpies will take on Wanderers in the opening round of the 2023-24 NTFL season. Picture: Glenn Campbell

It’s a similar situation for Palmerston, who are targeting a return to the upper echelons after years of watching on come March.

And both will want to make their mark early to attract the interstate talent affiliated to their clubs.

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.