A last quarter collapse by the Buffaloes opens the door for a thrilling draw in Premier League

A five-goal to nil last quarter burst from Southern Districts has salvaged a dramatic draw against the Darwin Buffaloes

UPDATE: BUFFALOES coach Cameron Stokes summed up his side’s last quarter collapse when held to a draw against Southern Districts on Sunday in two words, ‘no excuses’.

The Buffaloes looked in total command of the Round 2 clash when Hassan AhMat’s seventh goal shot them out to a 30-point lead midway through the last term.

But a spirited Districts comeback when they kicked 5.1 to a point in the last 10 minutes salvaged a 12.12 (84) to 13.6 (84) draw.

“We knew they were going to come, that’s the thing and we sort of ran out of legs, there’s no excuses, we should have won that one,’’ Stokes said.

The match produced some fiery clashes and serious injuries, with Buffalo Shaun AhMat tearing a hamstring and Crocodiles Dean Robertson (concussion) and Kyle McBean (shoulder) likely to miss at least a week.

Joseph Collinson as the Darwin Buffaloes v Southern Districts in the Mens Premier League at Cazaley Oval. Picture: Glenn Campbell

All the signs were good for most of the 100 minutes, Hassan’s marking and goalkicking at full forward was exemplary, veteran utility Matt Campbell was everywhere, Ben Archard a colossus in the ruck and Jarrod Stokes a prolific ball winner.

They led by 34 points midway through the third term and again in the last, but could not prevent a barnstorming finish from the Crocodiles that almost secured all four points.

A late snap from Lionel Ogden with 30 seconds left swung away from the major opening to level the scores before the final siren prevented any more scoring.

Districts forward Jonathan Ross was one of his side’s best, booting three goals himself and setting up several more playing up the ground and around the goals.

“We probably weren’t getting the run-on we would have liked at the start, but when we all started to stick to the game plan it all began to work,’’ Ross said.

“It shouldn’t have come down to that last shot, but it’s good to get away with a draw.’’

BUFFALOES 4.2 8.5 10.9 12.12 (84)

S’DISTRICTS 3.1 5.1 8.4 13.6 (84)

GOALS — Buffaloes: H AhMat 7 J Stokes, B Stokes, T Clarke, P Boles, M Campbell. Districts: J Ross 3 D Barry 3 J Farrer 2 J Ganley 2 J Watts 2 M Duffy.

BEST — Buffaloes: H AhMat B Archard J Stokes M Campbell T Eldridge. Districts: J Ross C Bowden J Watts M Bowden J Ganley.

EARLIER: PALMERSTON overcame the heat and an early-charging Tiwi outfit to run out 13.18 (96) to 11.9 (75) winners at Cazalys Oval.

Midfielder Eric Guthrie got the scoring under way, kicking true to help set-up an early lead for the Magpies.

But the hosts were unable to kick on from there, with a slew of behinds for both sides following.

Eric Guthrie played a big role in Palmerston’s win over Tiwi. Picture: Celina Whan

It was, instead, the Bombers who broke the behinds streak through Anthony Munkara and once he got his goals they didn’t stop for Tiwi, with Kim Kantilla also getting in on the action.

Palmerston had plenty of time on the ball through the second quarter, but missed chances and ball fumbles hurt.

And Tiwi once again took advantage through Munkara and Kantilla, who scored a total of five goals each.

However, the work of Palmerston in the ruck and midfield – with Guthrie and former West Perth Falcons star Rudy Riddoch central in that area – kept the side in the game.

The clash became a war of attrition in the second half with the heat having a major impact on fitness and pace.

That allowed Palmerston to climb back into contention with big forward Daniel Stafford nailing three goals in the third quarter to build his tally.

The 2020-21 Rising Star winner, Ryan Warfe, was also busy around the ground, scoring under pressure to see Palmerston hit the front early in the fourth quarter.

For their part, the Tiwis continued to put in but their running waned as the heat and Magpies soared.

“It’s great for all the boys, particularly after last week when we were in the game only for it to fall away,” Riddoch said.

“It was hot all day, that’s going to take a bit of getting used to.

“It came down to the boys’ will to push through and knowing that if we put the pressure on, the game would fall our way.

“To get an early win really sets us up. This is my first season here but I know (captain) Chris Williams really well so I messaged him and came up to play.”

Scores:

Palmerston: 2.4 5.9 9.13 13.18 (96)

Tiwi: 4.3 9.3 10.7 11.9 (75)

Goals:

Palmerston: D Stafford 5 R Warfe 2 R Riddoch 2 C Williams L Grigg J Shea D Corbett

Tiwi: K Kantilla 5 A Munkara 5 D Puautijimi

Best:

Palmerston: E Guthrie R Riddoch R Warfe A Green R Stone

Tiwi: K Kantilla A Munkara P Heenan B Rioli N Hooker