Waratah wins a thrilling against Southern Districts Crocodiles, Jake Sutton kicks two in NTFL clash

WARATAH stormed home to defeat Southern Districts at Norbuilt Oval yesterday. Trailing until the final minute, the red-and-whites booted the lasttwo goals of the game to register a 10.10 (70) to 10.8 (68) victory over a desperately unlucky Districts.

Waratah's Jake Sutton kicked two goals and was among his team’s best in the Warriors’ thrilling two-point win over Southern Districts. Picture: Aaron Black/AFLNT Media

WARATAH stormed home to defeat Southern Districts at Norbuilt Oval yesterday.

Trailing until the final minute, the red-and-whites booted the last two goals of the game to register a 10.10 (70) to 10.8 (68) victory over a desperately unlucky Districts.

Districts speedster Brandon Rusca opened the scoring with a touch of individual brilliance when he sped down the grandstand wing and booted the opener from 50m out.

And when Luke Kiel stabbed the next one a minute later the Crocs got the start they were looking for.

A goal to Andrew Boseley on the quarter-time siren gave the home side a useful lead at the break and, for the second week running, Tahs failed to score a major in the opening term despite having numerous opportunities.

Goals to Bradley Vallance and James Bell opened proceedings in the second term and a clear tricolour leg-speed advantage was on display.

However, the visitors finally got onto the right side of the scoreboard after Brock Orval

slotted one home at the eight-minute mark.

NTFL ROUND 3: Waratah goes head-to-head with Southern Districts at Norbuilt Oval. REPLAY COMING SOON

NTFL ROUND 3: The Buffaloes goes head-to-head with the Palmerston Magpies at TIO Stadium. WATCH THE REPLAY

NTFL ROUND 3: Wanderers battle the Nightcliff Tigers at TIO Stadium. WATCH THE REPLAY

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That was followed by centre-half forward Jake Sutton when he swooped and goaled a minute later.

Tahs steadied in the latter half of the term and with Sutton always a target, they got

within 13 points.

But a Boseley goal on the siren lifted Districts to a 19-point lead at the long break.

A defensive Waratah error early in the third gifted Districts a goal when Vallance pounced and kicked truly.

Powerful red-and-white follower Robert Turnbull was a star and his pinpoint pass to Jae McGrath got his side on the board in the second half.

A 50m penalty to Brodie Carroll followed and the visitors were closing in.

A deft snap from Turnbull and his team was within seven points at the last break.

Boseley’s third at the start of the final term gave Districts some breathing space.

A running goal to Turnbull squared the ledger but Will Farrer was left alone in the goal square and calmly slotted his first for the match.

In a thriller, it was time for the champion players to stand up, and that was what Abe Ankers did with a Waratah six-pointer.

His team finally hit the front at the 20-minute mark of the last when Carroll eased another one home.

Waratah coach Ryan Ayres was a relieved man after the match.

“Districts were the better side for most of the match, but we showed character in the second half and got away with the win,” he said.

“Our midfield was down early but lifted when the team was challenged.

“We were disappointed after last week (a 13-point loss to Nightcliff) but good sides bounce back and that was what we did (yesterday).”

STH DISTRICTS 3.2 7.4 8.8 10.8 (68)

WARATAH 0.2 4.3 7.7 10.10 (70)

GOALS

Districts: A Boseley 3 J Bell 2 B Vallance 2 B Rusca L Kiel W Farrer

Waratah: J Sutton 2 J McGrath 2 B Carroll 2 R Turnbull 2 B Orval A Ankers

BEST

Districts: A Boseley L Ogden B Rusca Z Smith J Dahlhaus

Waratah: R Turnbull J McGrath C Searle B Carroll J Sutton