Live stream: How St Mary’s, Nightcliff, Waratah, Districts, PINT are looking for the 2023-24 NTFL finals

With four weeks of exciting NTFL finals action kicking off today, we’ve broken down how each of the five remaining men’s Premier League sides is looking. Who do you think will win the title?

After one of the tightest NTFL Men’s Premier League seasons in recent memory, it’s finals time.

Will Waratah go back to back, or will the league topping St Mary’s make this season their own?

What about Nightcliff, who have been in the running all season and have the renowned defence few have found their way past.

Or perhaps the honours will go to one of Southern Districts or PINT, who will have to go the long way around to even get to the big dance.

We have taken a look at each of the remaining Premier League sides heading into the first weekend of NTFL finals.

ST MARY’S

Record: 13-0-3

Percentage: 219.28

Dylan Landt has had a great season.

Saints get the first week of finals off after finishing on top of the NTFL ladder.

With Dylan Landt and Nate Paredes leading the way, they are the best side in the competition at surging the ball forward.

Reigning Nichols Medal winner Landt has been in the form of his life this season since taking over as skipper.

Seth Harris and Beau Tedcastle have also been explosive as of late and will have to juggle their spot in the midfield with the likes of Joel Garner and Jack Kluske as they return to the fold.

Up front, Jackson Calder has the best goals per game percentage of any player in the competition, while Tex Korewha, Sam Glover and Jack Landt are all dangerous options, too.

They can, however, lose their effectiveness when opposition defences lock down one or two of their key instigators, particularly Landt, a task Nightcliff have managed in both of their previous meetings this season.

If they run into that sort of trouble then they will need to find a way of putting another player in Landt’s position to take on the workload he usually holds down.

NIGHTCLIFF TIGERS

Record: 12-0-4

Percentage: 179.36

Brodie Filo has impressed in midfield this season.

The best defensive side in the competition, despite what their Round 18 showing may suggest (they lost by 31 points to Waratah).

The Tigers have won games thanks to their strangling defensive pressure, and been able to twist what for some sides was a certain goal into an attacking move of their own.

Nathan Brown and Jonathon Peris have been rejuvenated in defence, and have actually played some of their best games this season, while the likes of skipper Ryan Nyhuis and newcomer Mitch Norton have also stood out.

The defensive focus isn’t limited to their backline with Lewis Rinaldi locking down some of the league’s best midfielders.

Cooper Dahms and Brodie Filo have formed a formidable midfield partnership and are two to watch in the middle. Lachlan Tardrew has been terrific as well.

Their one flaw is a lack of big scorers up front, with Brett Kennedy their only player in the league’s top 20 goalscorers.

Jay Moody, Tristan Singh Lippo and Adrian Scott are other players who can get hot while John Butcher is a strong option on his day, but against the big sides Nightcliff have not been a big scoring side.

WARATAH

Record: 11-0-5

Percentage: 168.83

Brodie Carroll will be one of the keys for Waratah.

The reigning premiers looked as if they were a little off their pace at various stages this season yet they pulled off a huge Round 18 win to secure the double chance.

In doing so they secured the Dennis Dunn leading goalkicker accolade for the explosive Jayden Magro, who will be needed to turn it up once again to get the better of the Tigers two weeks in a row.

But it wasn’t just up front where the battles have been won for Tahs, with their midfield easily among the best in the competition.

In the middle, Arnold Kirby has made a name for himself as one of the best ruckmen in the comp, giving the likes of Brodie Carroll, Lachlan Cassidy and Scott Carlin plenty of ball.

It’s those guys who have ensured their side are sitting where they are at the pointy end of the season, and are hard at every contest in each of their matches.

Then there’s the defence, which proved against the Tigers that they’re as strong as anyone, particularly when Dylan Collis and Dan O’Dwyer are both in to marshal the play.

SOUTHERN DISTRICTS

Record: 11-0-5

Percentage: 167.49

Jed Anderson brings the midfield magic to Districts.

Southern Districts will be disappointed not to have seized a spot in the top three, dropping away in a final round where they watched from the sidelines.

But make no mistake, on their day this is a side who can get the better of anyone with their powerful midfield and a forward line with plenty of options.

Jarrod Brander and Jonathon Ross are the leading names when you look at forward options, both sitting in the league’s top five goalscorers, while Dylan Barry and Stanley Waistcoat are also good for a goal or two.

Their midfield is where the magic is made though, with Jed Anderson and Beau Schwarze easily among the best players from the 2023-24 season.

Also in the middle is the impressive Nakia Cockatoo as well as rucks Wyatt Ryan and Matt Dennis, who are a nuisance for any hardworking opponent.

Districts are a taller side and will be hoping for drier weather throughout finals, with one of their weaker outings coming in the wet against top of the table St Mary’s.

However, their eyes are firmly planted on a PINT side, who they have beaten both times so far this season.

PINT

Record: 10-0-6

Percentage: 124.67

Steven Motlophas led PINT to their first finals campaign.

PINT are playing finals for the very first time, and in a sense that means they are the side with the least amount of pressure on their shoulders.

They are a potential danger side for anyone they come up against, with the defensive prowess to back that claim up.

Steven Motlop has been a revelation in the backline, his experienced head looking down field has added a winning edge to the Greenants. The form of Harrison Maher, who is arguably their standout player of the year, and Brad Ryan has also helped.

Connor McDonald and Elliot Chalmers are the guys to keep an eye on in the midfield, with the former really making a name for himself in the ruck this season.

PINT are another side that have at times struggled for goals, twice going into halftime without a major to their name against the top outfits.

However, with Silver Yousif and Liam Holt-Fitz providing speed to score themselves or provide for the likes of Andrew Mead-Harding or Benjamin Brett, they have options to score.