The NT News looks at some of the top peformers from Round 1 of the 2021-22 NTFL season
St Mary’s taste some early revenge, Tahs show their power and a Muk Muks young gun stars. WHAT WE LEARNED FROM NTFL ROUND 1 ACTION
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The NT News looks at some of the major talking points and top performers from a thrilling opening round of the NTFL 2021-22 season, with Waratah, Buffaloes, Wanderers and St Mary’s emerging the winners.
BEAU O’CONNELL (WANDERERS)
The 2019-20 joint Nichols Medalist was the difference between Wanderers and Districts in the opening round.
O’Connell topped the match disposals with 26 (joint with teammate Warwick Williams) and kicked the game breaking goal in the fourth quarter after a thrilling run downfield.
All eyes will have been on the 19-year-old who can kick from both feet and spoil the party for any opposition.
He only featured in six games throughout the 2020-21 season but came back with a bang and if he kicks on will be a key player in the Muk Muks’ title ambitions.
NATHANIEL PAREDES (ST MARY’S)
It was a real captain’s knock from the new man at the helm of Saints and a performance that proved he is more than ready for the responsibility.
A winning start over the reigning premiers is a great one for any new captain but Paredes also racked up a round high number of disposals with 28, 16 of which were contested.
And his performance inspired what was a young and in some places inexperienced Saints outfit to lift and play out of their skins.
JAYDEN MAGRO (WARATAH)
It was a thrilling debut for the Waratah recruit who scored five goals of his own and handed plenty off in the Tahs’ dominant win over the Magpies.
The East Perth recruit will be sure to turn a few heads this season and will be one other sides look to mark.
18 possessions also suggest the small forward was hungry for the ball and constantly on the hunt to serve his new side.
Both Will and Dylan Collis both also played out of their skins with their attack and big appetities for the football sure to gain more than a few votes this season.
LACHLAN TAYLOR (ST MARY’S)
Taylor’s undying energy and never give up attitude played a pivotal role in St Mary’s opening round win over reigning premiers Nightcliff Tigers.
The young gun has sent a marker down for the rest of the season and if his opening performance is anything to go by he plans to make a big impression this year.
Stat wise he managed 25 disposals and showed his guts on many an occasion at one stage looking like he would go off injured only to show up again moments later.
BEN ARCHARD (DARWIN BUFFALOES)
It was a dominant showing from Buffaloes big man Ben Archard who will generate plenty of possessions for the double blues this season.
He was the pick of the rucks of the weekend as he dominated with 41 hit outs giving his side the edge at each restart.
The Buffs looked strong across the field with forward Hassan Ahmat-Watkins booting five goals to give his side the scoring edge over a fast finishing Tiwi.
EARLIER:
The NT News looks at the talking points from Round 1 of the 2021-22 NTFL season
Round 1 was an exciting return to action for the NTFL sides with St Mary’s tasting some early revenge, Tahs showing their power and a certain Muk Muks young gun taking the spotlight.
NO DOUBTS ABOUT ST MARY’S
Any doubts on the level of hunger at NTFL club St Mary’s following successive grand final losses to rivals Nightcliff would have been blown away by the Green Machine’s gutsy win over the Tigers in Round 1.
Six debutants from Saints’ U18 premiership side played their part in a game where both sides felt each other out for the most part.
Lachlan Taylor and Nick Yarran were standouts constantly in the contest using their electric pace to put Tigers on the back foot.
And at the helm Nate Paredes proved he is a more than worthy addition as the Saints’ captain making sure his side got the job done over the reigning premiers.
A series of reports among the Tigers’ senior players will be of some concern to coach Chris Baksh.
WATCH ROUND 1 REPLAYS
Waratah vs Magpies at Gardens Oval
Bombers vs Buffaloes at Gardens Oval
Wanderers vs Districts at TIO Stadium
Tigers vs St Mary’s at TIO Stadium
TAHS HAVE THE DEPTH AND POWER
Waratah’s 12-goal win over Palmerston highlighted Tahs’ playing depth above a Magpie side down on experience and physical strength in the early weeks of the season.
The red and whites’ intimate knowledge of Gardens Oval and ability to capitalise on their opponents’ mistakes also proved a big factor in their dominant win.
The side now gets the chance to view the rest of the competition from atop the ladder and will have plenty of confidence heading into the rest of the season.
Brothers Will and Dylan Collis both enjoyed stormers in front of their home crowd while import James Magro showed he’s going to be tough to handle in front of goal.
MUK MUKS PULL THROUGH TIGHT BATTLE
A Wanderers side full of youth and talent has plenty to look forward to this season following their narrow win over Southern Districts with an all-local side.
There’s still plenty of guns from last season to make their return but the Eagles proved to themselves and to the competition that they have the weapons to close out tight games.
2019-20 Nichols Medallist Beau O’Connell was at the centre of everything for the Muk Muks and so it was only natural that it was he that broke the game open in the fourth quarter.
Elsewhere, Keelan Fejo and Warwick Williams applied plenty of pressure to give their side the edge in the pivotal moments.
DISTRICTS MORE THAN UP FOR THE FIGHT
Despite their loss it should not be discounted that the Crocs were there throughout the whole encounter against Wanderers.
Every time the Muk Muks edged ahead Districts found their way back into the contest and put the frighteners on and if not for a couple of wayward kicks would have led at the half.
Michael Bowden and Jonathan Ross were standouts.
Pat Gallow also dominated in and around the ruck with 20 hitouts and will be one to watch in that space.
For all their effort they didn’t manage the result they were after but it should be a game they as a side take some confidence from.
LATE TIWI CHARGE SHOWS PROMISE
They may not have come away with the win but a late comeback shows sure signs of promise from the Tiwi Bombers for season 2021-22.
The Buffaloes dominated much of the early phases with Ben Archard dominating in the ruck while captain Jarrod Stokes and Hassan Ahmat showed plenty of brilliance in front of the posts.
Tiwi came into the closing quarter the better side with a lively Anthony Munkara and Brendan Kantilla doing their best to narrow the gap.
The distance was ultimately too much for the Tiwi side to close but if that heart to get the result continues to merge with their natural talent the Bombers should be looking for a better year than last.
REPLAY: Magpies impress in first outing of new campaign
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Palmerston actually led this at the end of the first quarter, but Waratah weren’t long in finding form and showed their class with a devastating burst of majors. Watch the REPLAY now.