Southern Districts Crocodiles spoil Nightcliff Tigers’ party at Darwin Mazda Nightcliff Oval, consistent Lionel Ogden a standout for Crocs

NIGHTCLIFF’S piece of history turned sour on Saturday night when Southern Districts toppled them by 13 points at Darwin Mazda Nightcliff Oval.

Southern Districts’ Jesse Clark takes a high mark during the first game under lights at Darwin Mazda Nightcliff Oval. Picture: Glenn Campbell

NIGHTCLIFF’S piece of history turned sour on Saturday night when Southern Districts toppled them by 13 points at Darwin Mazda Nightcliff Oval.

With plenty to play for, including using their lights for the first time, the Tigers failed to quell a more enthusiastic Districts, and in a low scoring game the visitors won 9.13 (67) to

8.6 (54).

Nightcliff President Mark Dodge spoke before the game about the

commissioning of the lights.

WATCH REPLAY. The Tigers took on Southern Districts in the historic first ever game under lights at Nightcliff Oval in the NTFL. And we were there to LIVESTREAM the game exclusively for you. WATCH the FULL REPLAY

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“We’ve worked hard to get to this point and are proud of our achievement

which has come with assistance of many others, including the NT Government

and City of Darwin,” said Dodge.

“It would be nice to get a win on such a historic occasion and it will then be

cause for a double celebration.”

Districts had the better of it early, but apart from James Tsitas who booted

two early six-pointers, they were otherwise wasteful in front of goal and let the

home side off the hook.

It took 20 minutes before the Tigers broke through the Croc defence, led by Lionel Ogden, and got on the scoreboard through a Kyle Emery shot from wide at half-forward.

In light drizzle the Tigers opened the second full of run, and a clever handball

found Shaun Wilson in the goalsquare which he gleefully accepted and

dribbled through for a goal.

However, Jonathan Farrar squared the ledger when he slammed through a beauty and Districts had breathing space again.

Southern Districts’ Matthew Duffy kicks to a teammate with Nightcliff’s Liam Holt-Fitz fast approaching. Picture: Glenn Campbell

Despite a vintage Cameron Illet goal late in the term, the tricolours went to the

long break with a five-point lead.

Tsitas began the third on fire, but his first two shots were high and wide.

However, he got on target halfway through the quarter and booted his third

for the game.

The Tigers had plenty of chances but simply couldn’t break the Croc defensive cordon.

Nightcliff got the first in the final term through Holt-Fitz, and then the floodgates opened with Croc Jay Dahlhaus (two) and Tiger small-men Adam Jorgensen and William Wheeler all finding holes in otherwise solid defences.

Suddenly the Tigers were within seven-points at the 16-minute mark.

Three opportunist goals from Districts half-forward Luke Kiel sealed the deal

for his team and the upset of the season unfolded at Tigerland.

NIGHTCLIFF 1.1 3.1 3.3 8.6 (54)

DISTRICTS 2.4 3.6 4.11 9.13 (67)

GOALS

Nightcliff: C Ilett 2 K Emery S Wilson L Holt-Fitz A Jorgensen W Wheeler P Wills

Districts: J Tsitas 3 L Kiel 3 J Dahlhaus 2 J Farrar

BEST

Nightcliff: M Rivett D Bowles J Budarick M McGregor J Peris

Districts: L Ogden J Tsitas M Bowden J Clark Z Smith