What we learned from Round 18 of the 2023-24 NTFL season
Waratah’s perfect final round, an aggressive encounter at TIO Stadium and plenty of intrigue in the women’s comp made up a huge Round 18. Read the key NTFL final round talking points.
Local AFL
Don't miss out on the headlines from Local AFL. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Waratah’s perfect final round, an aggressive encounter at TIO Stadium and plenty of intrigue in the women’s comp were among the big talking points from Round 18 of the NTFL.
St Mary’s, Waratah, Wanderers and PINT were the victors in the Men’s Premiers League, while Saints, Nightcliff, Tiwi and PINT came out on top in the women’s competition.
Read all the talking points from the round that was.
Waratah up for the contest
Waratah were the big winners of the last round of the season, beating Nightcliff to jump into third place and claim a finals double chance.
The Battle of the Beaches promised a contest between reigning premiers Waratah and a side who have consistently been in the top two throughout the back half of the season in the Tigers.
But despite recent form and Nightcliff playing at home it was Tahs who came out on top, winning the contests in the midfield and repelling the majority of the Tigers inroads.
In doing so, they also got the goals needed to seal Jayden Magro’s Dennis Dunn medal as the season’s leading goal kicker, beating Saints’ Jackson Calder and Districts’ Jarrod Brander.
But the biggest prize was surging ahead to a 9.7 (61) to 3.12 (30) win in a low scoring affair, where their midfield of Lachlan Cassidy, Brodie Carroll and Scott Carlin again turned up.
Dan O’Dwyer down back was another standout keeping John Butcher quiet while marshalling a backline including Tom Spence and Dylan Collis to a successful night.
The win allowed the side to leapfrog Southern Districts into third place, which in an interesting quirk sets up a qualifying final with Nightcliff, a side they now have the mental edge against.
The Tigers had their positives with their own backline, such as Nathan Brown, Lewis Rinaldi and Mitch Norton, doing the work early on.
Brodie Filo held his own in the midfield, as is expected, and the likes of Tristan Singh-Lippo and Adrian Scott showed how exciting they can be.
They have a week to regroup and bring in some reinforcements for their second consecutive date with Tahs, with Cody Szust, Lachlan Tardrew and Cam Wild to come in.
Finals is a different ball game, and while Tahs have the current confidence Nightcliff their strength this season and will savour the chance to get revenge.
Saints confirm top spot
St Mary’s get a break in the first week of finals after securing the NTFL top spot in a bruising encounter against traditional rivals Buffaloes.
The Double Blues brought the intensity for the best part of three quarters in their final game of the season, making sure Saints remembered them come finals times.
A brawl at half time and another early in the third was indicative of the passion within the encounter, with Buffs locking down some of St Mary’s big names.
Nathan Stewart was potentially the Buffaloes best player for his work on full forward Jackson Calder, while Lachlan Hill did his job to frustrate reigning Nichols medallist Dylan Landt.
However, in their wake the likes of Seth Harris, Nate Paredes, Beau Tedcastle and Tex Korewha all stepped up and helped carry their side to a significant 24.12 (156) to 4.10 (34) victory.
The win secured Saints spot on top of the table and sets them up as a scary prospect for whichever side they come up against.
This is a side with attacking power across the forward line and midfield where most players are capable of booting a goal, or at least assist in the lead up to one.
Their first finals foes will be either Nightcliff or Waratah, and neither is an easy prospect.
The former is a side Saints have yet to beat in the 2023-24 season, and the latter is the outfit which knocked them out of last season’s finals series.
Though looking at the firepower the Green Machine have in their arsenal, including the likes of Joel Garner and Sam Glover to come in, it’s a question of how they get past their opposition defence.
Women’s final set up plenty of intrigue
An intriguing first week of finals is on the way for the women’s premier league with St Mary’s probably the side to watch.
PINT confirmed their unbeaten top of the table run with a 6.7 (43) to 2.2 (14) defeat of Palmerston, allowing them the week off to watch the rest of the competition.
But St Mary’s well and truly showed what they’re made of, with a crushing 13.16 (94) to 1.2 (8) defeat of fifth placed Darwin Buffettes.
It’s a massive point margin between two finals bound sides with Nikita Long more than holding her own in Saints’ defensive end, while Paula Pavic and Billie Byers were again instrumental.
It will have Nightcliff wondering what they can do to get a surprise win against the green and gold outfit come the qualifying final.
The third placed Tigers have held their own all season with wins only lacking against the top two, but with Mickayla Ward and Cassie McWilliam on song they may be able to kick their way to a win.
Last year’s losing grand finalist Waratah know they need to find some form really quick if they’re to figure further in finals, having lost their past three matches.
They first come up against the 2021-22 premiers Darwin Buffettes, who beat them in Round 17 and will be eager to replicate that in the knockout final.
However, Tahs are expecting some big returners for finals including Jenna Singh Lippo, while skipper Kierra Zerafa will have another match under her belt since returning from injury.
The Double Blues shocked them last time around coming out of their post-Christmas slump for that match, and will want more of the same from the likes of Molly Althouse and Machaelia Roberts.
That match aside the Buffs are another team lacking winning momentum coming into finals, only barley squeezing out a young Palmerston outfit.
Wanderers get final game shock
Wanderers finished their season on a high note after winning just their third match of the season over the Tiwi Bombers.
The Eagles surged ahead early on, scoring more goals in the first half (eight) than they have in any game since their last win against Palmerston.
Daniel Clee, Braedon McLean and Brenton Motlop were among the side’s standout on the offensive while Zac Petheybridge stood out leading the defence.
The Muk Muks had to survive a late fightback in the final quarter as the Bombers peppered the goals, but their pressure and Tiwi’s inaccuracy kept them ahead.
It ends a season on a high point for Wanderers after struggling for positives throughout the year, and gives the side something to rebuild and refocus ahead of their next campaign.
For the side it was a reward for the hard work put in to rebuilding the club and its culture throughout the year.
It also brings Tiwi’s season to an end, and while this season was ultimately a step in the right direction for the side, they will be disappointed not to have won this match.
Karlson Kantilla was again a standout for the Bombers showing his flair alongside the more experienced heads of Sam Darley and Brendan Kantilla.
Its young guns like him, Thaddeus Puautjimi, Michael Thompson, Jason Jr Puruntatameri and Damien Dunn that the Bombers can celebrate their season for.
And they all have a TIFL season, as well as possible interstate opportunities, to continue to build on what they’ve learned ahead of the 2024-25 season.
‘Can’t wait’: Johnston locks in new Gold Coast contract
A young Territory talent has locked in a new contract at the Gold Coast Suns, following a big season that’s included a major role change. Read how excited he is for whats to come.
How top class sport will lure people to the NT
Key stakeholders believe the Territory receiving professional sides in top sporting competitions will pay dividends for the NT economy through tourism.