Exclusive NTFL action: Palmerston Magpies vs Tiwi Bombers at TIO Stadium. Watch the replay

AFL champion Eddie Betts slotted into a Palmerston Magpies side full of pace and power in their opening round win over Tiwi Bombers, but a star ruck stole the show. WATCH THE REPLAY

A CLINICAL Palmerston opened its season with an emphatic 60-point win over the Tiwi Bombers in the early game at Marrara on Saturday.

The Maggies led at every change and won 16.13 (109) to 7.7 (49) over a Tiwi side who ran out of legs.

First game ruckman Tristen Waack was dominant for the Magpies.

The recruit from Morwell in Victoria only arrived in Darwin on Wednesday and immediately found his feet in an unusual on-field position.

“I only arrived on Wednesday and usually play in the mid-field or wing but was happy in the ruck because of the extra freedom,” Waack said.

“I have wanted to come to Darwin to play for a couple of seasons now and am happy to be at Palmerston – they welcomed me with open arms and hopefully I can continue to play an on-ball role.

“The conditions were okay today especially when it started to rain which is just like in Morwell, but I understand the weather only gets worse from here.”

The game began with both teams keen to assert their ascendency and after a scrappy start it was the Magpies who fired the first shot with a long goal from big Cameron Pedersen after seven minutes of play in the opening term.

Palmerston Magpies Tristan Waack dominates the ruck in round 1 of the NTFL 22/23 season. Picture: (A)manda Parkinson

With both defences on top, scoring dried up until Bomber half-forward Edward Turner found space and kicked truly from 35 metres to even the ledger.

Running Magpie fullback Clarence Baird powered his way forward and goaled after a minute of play in the second term.

When Eddie Betts rolled through an opportunist six-pointer two minutes later and big forward Joshua Scott banged through another it was all Palmerston.

Eddie Betts plays in the forward line for Palmerston Magpies in Round 1 against Tiwi Bombers Picture: (A)manda Parkinson

Clearly, the islanders were tiring and looking for the long break and a rest after a goalless quarter.

Waack won the tap for Palmy, and Betts dribbled through a goal inside the first minute of the third and when Scott got another a minute later, the Maggies were on the march again.

Lively forward Tristen Singh-Lippo got one back for Tiwi and then Stanley Tipiloura and Michael Thompson each slotted a goal as the Bombers started to find it comfortable in the rain.

However, two steadiers by Palmerston got them back on track and ultimately put any doubt of the result out of mind.

Score:

Palmerston: 1.5 7.7 12.10 16.13 (109)

Tiwi Bombers 1.2 1.4 6.6 7.7 (49)

Goals:

Palmerston:

Cam Pedersen 3

Joshua Scott 3

Eddie Betts 3

Baxter Mensch 3

Sam Clohesy

Heath Morgan-Morris

Jonty Patrick

Clarence Baird

Tiwi Bombers:

Tristan Singh-Lippo 2

Edward Turner

Michael Thompson

Stanley Tipiloura

Kim Kantilla

William Munkara

Best:

Palmerston:

Tristen Waack

Baxter Mensch

Eric Guthrie

Sam Clohesy

Cam Pedersen

Tiwi Bombers:

Dion Munkara

Nicholas Hooker

Michael Thompson

William Madden

Tristan Singh-Lippo

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Watch AFL legend Eddie Betts play for Palmerston Magpies in their Round 1 NTFL match against Tiwi Bombers at TIO Stadium

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Tiwi were unable to play the backend of the 2021-22 season which further dampened an otherwise winless season.

However, coach Brenton Toy has returned to the club with plenty of intent making some big recruitments and securing the signature of some star players including AFL star Harley Bennell.

They face-off against another side also keen for improvement in the form of the Palmerston Magpies.

Palmerston Magpies will take on Tiwi Bombers in the opening round of the 2022-23 NTFL season. Picture: Celina Whan/NTFL Media

Much has been made of Eddie Betts and Gary Ablett Jr joining the Magpies later in the season, but they’ve managed some big ins otherwise with Will and Josiah Farrer, Ashton Hams and Phil Wills.

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