NTFL 2021-22: Waratah kick clear in the final quarter to beat Wanderers by 24 points

Waratah has jumped to the top of the NTFL ladder with a 24-point win over Wanderers in an occasionally heated Australia Day clash.

Waratah has withstood several Wanderers surges in an occasionally heated Australia Day clash at Gardens Oval, kicking clear late to win by four goals.

After trailing all day, the Eagles trimmed the lead to just six points early in the last quarter before Tahs found the quick reply — a theme which ran through the entire Foundation Cup clash.

The pill was white hot early, before the Tahs settled quicker and took greater control the longer the quarter wore on.

Casey Demons recruit James Munro was explosive as returning skipper Brodie Carroll contributed a poised set shot.

However, much like the women’s game earlier in the day, Wanderers struggled to force the ball into its forward arc.

A magnificent Shane Thorne bomb from well beyond the perimeter was one of few highlights for the Eagles.

But the Muk Muks suddenly went up a gear or two early in the second through a magical Marlon Motlop brace.

After a clever snap deep in the pocket, he followed it up with his side’s second long range six-pointer, moments later.

It jolted the Tahs back into action, skipping out to a 26-point break — highlighted by a silver service, over-the-shoulder Tom Goodwin ruck tap to Carroll who found Harrison Kitschke within range.

However, the visitors edged closer again through Thorne’s second – after Jerome Motlop’s snap found him all alone – and 150-gamer Simon Bates’ goal of the day contender, a sublime boundary line dribbler which found its way home.

A third Eagles bomb via big man Darren Shillabeer, whose kicking had been slightly askew, gave Wanderers the perfect opening to the second half.

Both teams enjoyed periods of play in the third term where they applied scoreboard pressure.

Mitch Taylor had a strong day down back for Wanderers. Picture: (A)manda Parkinson

In one polished passage in stark contrast to the muddy conditions, Ankers roved a tuck tap to drill one on the run, then a precise Kurtley Silver pass struck Cameron Arnold smack in the middle of chest for his second.

But Wanderers refused to lie down, stringing three majors together in quick time before the final break as Brodie Newman stood tall with some stellar defensive work.

When a Liam Garlick snap struck the post, the margin was just six points and the game was up for grabs.

But a clutch set shot from Corey Rich – kept goalless to that point – ultimately took the wind out of Wanderers.

Tahs coach Ryan Ayres was pleased to see an even spread of goalkickers, after Jayden Magro and Rich had scored 28 over the past five rounds.

“That’s the most pleasing thing at the moment... everyone’s contributing,” Ayres said.

“They were always going to come at us. It was good to see our boys respond. I was a bit nervous there at three quarter time.”

SCORE:

WARATAH 4.3 7.5 9.10 12.11 (83)

WANDERERS 1.2 5.3 9.4 9.5 (59)

GOALS:

Waratah: Arnold 3 Ankers Kitschke 2 Toma Bartee Carroll Cree Rich.

Wanderers: Motlop, Thorne 3 Bates Shillabeer Fejo.

BEST:

Waratah: Ankers Munro Arnold Cree Carroll Griffiths Rich

Wanderers: Motlop Newman Thorne M Taylor L Johnston Shillabeer

Waratah v Wanderers women's match

Waratah’s months-long hot streak has continued with a 100-point smashing of Wanderers at Gardens Oval.

The Tahs, who have not tasted defeat since November 13 in a two-point loss to St Mary’s, boasted a wealth of scoring weapons, with Lisa Miceli (six goals), Annabel Kievit (three) and Jenna Singh (three) dominant.

It took the visitors less than a minute to register a goal through a brilliant Singh snap, setting the tone for the rest of the quarter as Wanderers could barely muster a forward entry.

For the Tahs, Lisa Roberts was prolific between the arcs, who found a marking Miceli for her first of two for the term.

However, in a rare attacking thrust, the Eagles moved the ball through the middle, resulting in an opportunistic major from Riccitia Atzori.

Wanderers' defence was put under relentless pressure on Australia Day. Picture: (A)manda Parkinson.

The Tahs went to the quarter time break with a 29-point buffer as Kierra Zerafa became increasingly dominant in the middle and Singh snapped another mercurial six-pointer.

The slippery forward almost made it three from three when her right foot checkside sailed wide in a match-defining performance.

It was much of the same in the second; a defensive turnover created by Breanna Martin set up a Annabel Kievit major while the polished left boot of Miceli found Roberts for her first.

The Tahs were simply too strong in the air or at ground level as a marking Jo Guthridge also converted.

Then, against the tide once more, Wanderers transitioned through the middle via the industrious Olympia Mullany for Atzori’s second.

But the Tahs were ultimately cleaner and stronger in the contest in slippery conditions as they enjoyed a 51-point buffer at half time.

Even the most optimistic Wanderers fan would have admitted that margin was insurmountable.

And when Miceli had slotted her third and fourth five minutes into the third, the contest was well and truly cooked.

For the vanquished, Mullany shone across half back as the Wanderers defence was placed under relentless pressure, capping off her day with a fine goal in the dying stages.

SCORE:

WARATAH: 5.5 9.9 14.10 17.16 (118)

WANDERERS: 1.0 2.0 2.0 3.0 (18)

GOALS:

Waratah: Miceli 6 Kievit Singh 3 Guthridge 2 Oshea Roberts Gaynor

Wanderers: Atzori 2 Mullany

BEST:

Waratah: Miceli Singh Roberts Rapson-Staropoli Kievit Guthridge

Wanderers: Mullany Mauboy Atzori Angel Colquhoun.

The revered Foundation Cup will not only mark 105 years of Territory football but the initial steps of the women’s version of the game in the Top End.

Waratah president Rohan Langworthy said league historians believed the first official women’s exhibition game was played from the late 1980s at a Foundation Cup match.

And in a new slice of history, Tahs premiership player, Under 16 coach and keen artist Sharona Bishop has created indigenous-designed guernseys for the men for the Australia Day clash for the second season running.

Following popular demand, the club’s senior women’s team will also run out in the new design.

Langworthy said Bishop’s work last year was “so good we asked her to do it again” and the backstory behind her artwork gave him “shivers”.

Waratah FC players Brodie Carroll and Lauren O’Shea with the Foundation Cup in jumpers designed by Sharona Bishop. Picture: Glenn Campbell.

Bishop said the new jumper was a way to share an old story from her grandfather of the “Unselfish Warrior” – including a theme of “walking together and the imagery of boomerangs and water holes – while bringing the club closer together.

“I want the players to feel connected, feel like they have a purpose to wear it,” Bishop said.

“They’re not just going to wear it for themselves... (but) for the club, our future, the families, the people outside who do the little things then big things happen.”

She remembered being “just a pup” when she pulled on the Nightcliff colours for her first game on Australia Day around the turn of the century, lining up against former league director Colleen Gwynne.

“I remember kicking a banana goal on Colleen and she surprised me, she came over and said: ‘That was a good kick, well done little one’,” Bishop said. “It was so good, it was such a good feeling.”

WARATAH’S MAGRO KICKS SEVEN GOALS IN DEMOLITION OF PALMERSTON

WARATAH has cemented its top two credentials on the NTFL ladder, boasting far too many goal scoring options for a hapless Palmerston in a 75-point belting at TIO Stadium.

The Tahs made it three from three over the Magpies this season, despite the return of Eddie Betts and gun ruckman Matt Dennis on Saturday, as livewire Jayden Magro slotted seven majors.

Magro, an East Perth product, was happy with his showing but disappointed for not hitting double figures.

“I missed three easy ones, very easy,” Magro said.

“I’m kicking myself... but I managed to snag a few. I just finished off the boys’ good work, especially the boys down back.

“I’m absolutely loving (NT football), you get to play traditional footy and everyone you meet up here are here for the same reason.”

Jayden Magro was unstoppable against Palmerston at TIO Stadium. Picture: Glenn Campbell.

The game was locked up at 26 points apiece approaching quarter time before the Tahs suddenly kicked seven unanswered majors, partly through the body strength, deft touch and marking prowess of man mountain Shem Tatupu.

Earlier, Palmerston had dragged itself back into the contest through the left boot of Justin Cooper, snapping truly from the middle of heavy traffic, and a mark and goal from Brandon Ugle.

And when Waylon Davey converted a free kick, the Magpies had suddenly pinched the lead.

However, the Tahs’ possession was far cleaner and were able to transition from coast to coast, resulting in a Magro major, while Abraham Ankers also produced a beautiful running goal.

Waratah effectively killed the contest in the opening minutes of the second, with five precise set shots as the Magpies could barely muster a clean touch.

Later, in a telling period of play, dominant forwards Corey Rich, Magro and Tatupu waxed the pill in front of goals for the Tahs’ 12th major as it quickly became a red and white procession.

Tahs coach Ryan Ayres was pleased with his team’s effort with up to 10 players missing from its top two grades, including co-captains Brodie Carroll and Robert Turnbull.

“He’s a good little footballer,” Ayres said of Magro.

“It was good to see the forwards as a group share the footy in the second half.

“In the first half we didn’t really lower our eyes and look for our teammates, in the second half we definitely got that right.”

WATCH THE REPLAY

WARATAH: 6.2 11.6 15.11 19.15 129

PALMERSTON: 4.2 6.4 6.5 8.6 54

GOALS

Waratah: J Magro 7 C Rich 4 S Tatupu C Arnold A Ankers 2 T Toma T Goodwin

Palmerston: J Cooper 3 B Ugle W Davey J Youle R Warfe L Marlin

BEST

Waratah: J Magro C Rich D Collis J Crocker J Munro

Palmerston: M Dennis J Cooper S Lampton N Jetta L Marlin

DISTRICTS CELEBRATE BOWDEN’S 150th GAME WITH WIN OVER BUFFS

SOUTHERN Districts tightened their grasp on the last finals berth with a big 13.15 (93) to 5.10 (40) win over the Darwin Buffaloes.

The Crocs intent was clear within a blink of an eye of centre bounce as they raced in the first goal through the boot of Jonathon Ross and Leigh Williams added another soon after.

Buffs had their chances early with Nathaniel Cooper and new signing Sandringham best-and-fairest winner Goy Lok making inroads but came away with nothing more than a behind.

Districts on the other hand made full use of the chances that came their way as captain Dean Staunton and Michael Bowden, playing his 150th game, owned the midfield battle.

It was the second quarter where the Crocs truly broke the game open kicking eight goals to just two from the Double Blues and never looked too troubled from there.

Bowden was pleased with the result calling it an important win for his side’s title ambitions.

“We’re stringing together a few games and the result came through, the boys are playing really well and the atmosphere around the club is great,” he said.

“We were saying at the start of the game that we needed this and hopefully the way things go we will play finals.

“I’m just happy that I got here (to 150 games). I love the club, it has done a lot for. They really look after me and I try to repay the favour.”

Buffs had a brief respite further in with Luke Roberts notching a handy score while Lok and captain Jarrod Stokes seemed to be everywhere across the field.

But as the game entered its final term the rain set in and it was the Crocs who once again had the upper hand as the workrate of Ross up front was on full display.

Young guns Jaeden Watts, Tom Boustead and Will Rowlands also showed their skill seeing plenty of the footy and further cementing their places in the premier side.

WATCH THE REPLAY

Score:

Districts: 2.2 10.6 11.12 13.15 (93)

Buffaloes: 0.5 1.5 4.8 5.10 (40)

Goals:

Districts: L Williams 3 J Ross 3 J Ganley 2 L Smith C Bowden L Ogden P Gallow J Watts

Buffaloes: J Stokes A James T Raymond L Roberts B Foster

Best:

Districts: J Ross L Williams M Bowden W Rowlands P Gallow

Buffaloes: G Lok J Stokes L Roberts B Archard J Vrodos

NIGHTCLIFF WIN IN HARD EARNED BATTLE AGAINST ST MARY’S

NIGHTCLIFF kept top spot on the Men’s Premier League ladder following a hard earned nine-point victory over St Marys at Darwin Mazda Oval.

The Tigers were slow to start, but a four goal to nil second term and a five-goal haul from full forward John Butcher set them up for a 8.8 (56) to 6.11 (47) victory.

Jackson Calder received from Joseph Salmon and goaled inside 30-seconds of the commencement of the game and when Shaun Edwards repeated the dose one minute later, Saints had the perfect start.

But John Butcher eased the pain for Nightcliff when he was awarded a warranted freekick in the goal square and he kicked truly.

Impressive Tiger defender Jamie Jones had the task of minding Saints Beau Tedcastle, and while Jones defended stoutly on occasions, it was the Tedcastle guile and pace that guided him to space and a wonderful solo goal.

Jamie Jones of Nightcliff Tigers Picture: Felicity Elliott / AFLNT Media

Butcher’s clever mid-air kick split the big sticks and the home side were making the most of limited opportunities.

The home side were scrappy in the second and it took the courageous Cameron Ilett to steady his team with a goal at the eight-minute mark.

The Tigers were beginning to roar and when Butcher marked and booted his third, scores were level after thirteen minutes of the term – and his fourth, one minute later, gave his side the lead for the first time in the match.

Salmon goaled early in the third to restore Saints lead and then after being severely dealt with by an opponent, Ilett kicked a long goal, and the Tigers were back in front turning into the final quarter.

In a seesawing match, Tedcastle goaled early in the last to give the visitors an edge and then Butchers fifth and Brodie Filo’s long bomb sealed the deal for the Tigers.

WATCH THE REPLAY

Score:

Nightcliff: 2.1 5.3 6.5 8.8 (56)

St Mary’s 4.2 4.4 5.8 6.11 (47)

Goals

Nightcliff: J Butcher 5 C Ilett 2 B Filo

St Marys: B Tedcastle 2 J Calder S Edwards A Wilson J Salmon

Best:

Nightcliff: J Butcher D Bowles S Deery S Harper C Ilett

St Marys: N Paredes G Gallus J Smithson R Smith Z Robinson