NTFL 2023-24: Watch Waratah vs PINT Round 3 livestream

PINT dug deep and proved they can mix it with the best when they resisted a late surge from reigning premiers Waratah. WATCH THE REPLAY.

PINT have proven they can mix it with the best after digging deep to resist a final quarter surge from reigning premiers Waratah to win at Gardens Oval.

For Waratah it was their first chance to unfurl their 2022-23 premiership winning flag at their home ground, and they hoped to put on a show for their faithful supporters.

However, PINT had other plans and even when the match drew close in the dying minutes they dug their heels in and managed to win 10.9 (69) to 9.14 (68).

Tahs struck first finding plenty of early ball through Scott Carlin and the returning Robbie Turnbull, and when it popped up for full forward Darcy Hope he struck through the posts for the opener.

However, despite winning plenty of the ball early and peppering the posts they came away with little to show for it on the scoring front, earning points instead of majors.

It allowed PINT back into the match with Elliott Chalmers and former AFL player Steven Motlop finding parity in the midfield.

Steven Motlop was a standout for PINT against Waratah in Round 3. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

And unlike their opposition when captain Matt Ryan got his hands on the ball he struck through the posts, playing a key role in taking the lead by quarter time.

Tahs didn’t go away however, and while Brad Ryan did chase down a Dwayne Kerinauia chance, soon after forward pressure from Anthony Munkara resulted in a goal for teammate Toby Hutt.

Then the Greenants got to work again down the opposite end with the industrious Steven Motlop putting opportunity after opportunity up his forwards.

That’s where Thomas Motlop shone, showing off his handballing to offer chances or kicking goals of his own to widen the margin against the reigning premiers.

Meanwhile, Waratah struggled to get the ball out of their defensive half and when they struck high to create contestable marks they were out muscled by the taller Greenants.

It was only free kicks and the odd moment of inspiration such as a 60m Anthony Munkara sprint for goal or a Magro snap which kept them in the contest at the final change.

But those moments of inspiration did strike confidence in the Tahs midfield at the tip of final quarter and a quick clearance from an Arnold Kirby hit out resulted in a Brodie Carroll score.

Shortly after Munkara struck from the sideline and Hutt got one and Waratah were ahead for the first time since the first quarter and looking likely to hold on.

Thomas Motlop was a threat in front of goal for PINT against Waratah. Picture: Celina Whan / AFLNT Media

But PINT, who had already let a similar fade go against them in Round 1, dug deep and fought even harder to get the result.

Steven Motlop was everywhere, even scoring his first goal in PINT colours, but it all came down to an unlikely kick out of a contest by Chalmers for the Greenants to hit the front again.

And it was a win they held on to with coach Shannon Motlop saying it would be a massive confidence booster for his outfit.

“We’re happy with that, but we know Waratah will get better, so we have to get better than we were as well,” Motlop said.

“It was pleasing to stay in it, we’ve lost many a game like that in the past 12 months, and that was the first one we dug our heels in and said nah, we’re not letting you have this.

“It was brilliant, everyone played their role and we didn’t allow the likes of Magro or Collis to get into the game, our boys just wanted it.

“It’s going to give them a lot of confidence, we just learned how to win a really close game, you don’t get better at that without doing it and it will give them that confidence now.”

Score:

Waratah: 1.4 3.9 5.11 9.14 (68)

PINT: 2.4 6.5 8.6 10.9 (69)

Goals:

Waratah:

Toby Hutt 3

Jayden Magro 2

Darcy Hope

Anthony Munkara

Brodie Carroll

PINT:

Matt Ryan 3

Thomas Motlop 2

James Bennett

Andrew Jones

Jack Parker

Steven Motlop

Elliott Chalmers

Best:

Waratah:

Dylan Collis

Scott Carlin

Brodie Carroll

Jayden Magro

Toby Hutt

PINT:

Steven Motlop

Thomas Motlop

Matt Ryan

Ben Smyth

Elliott Chalmers

Livestream Preview

Reigning NTFL premiers Waratah will get to unfurl their premiership flag on their home deck for the first time, but visitors PINT will be determined to spoil the celebrations.

The NT News and KommunityTV will be there to stream every moment of the game from 7.30pm Friday.

It’s been an eventful start to the year for Waratah who dominated Southern Districts in the season opener, before letting go of a strong lead against St Mary’s.

WANT TO WATCH ANOTHER GAME? CHECK OUT OUR ROUND 3 LINKS BELOW

Their explosive forwards, including Anthony Munkara and Jayden Magro, know how to find the middle of the sticks and will be complimented by Dwayne Kerinauia this week.

However, it’s their defensive efforts, led by newly-minted captain Dylan Collis, which has impressed coach Ryan Ayres the most.

“It’s always exciting to play at Gardens Oval, there will be a few big events with this one including unfurling our premiership flag and then our first home game of the season,” Ayres said.

“The players love to play down here and have all the supporters and kids come down to watch them, and take part in the day.

Waratah players ready and waiting ahead of their first home match of the 2023-24 NTFL season. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

“It meant a lot to win last year, but we’re only to Round 3 and I reckon we’ve already forgotten it, there’s a lot of work and effort that goes into every season, and we’re all guns blazing now.

“We knew it would be a tough start to the season, we put ourselves into a spot where we could have won the match against St Mary’s, but to lose it was obviously a bit disappointing.

“We’re one for one at the moment, our forward line is explosive but at the same time you need players to get the ball there and our biggest work on has been our defensive aspects.

“You win the battles down there and you win a lot more games.”

PINT and Waratah will face off in Round 3 of the 2023-24 NTFL season. Picture: Patch Clapp / AFLNT Media

Ayres was among those keeping a close eye on PINT in Round 2, who brought plenty of pressure and intensity to the contest when they beat home team Nightcliff.

Rory Taggert was the standout kicking goals, but he was aided by a strong group of players including Steven Motlop and Liam Holt-Fitz on the night.

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.