Palmerston’s experience too much for a young Tiwi side in a display the Magpie faithful will enjoy

Palmerston’s midfield and forward line fires against the Tiwis in a big reversal of form

Tyson Tipuamantamerri, the 17-year-old son of coach Shane Tipuamantameri, played his first senior game in Tiwi Bombers colours. Picture: Grey Morris

PALMERSTON delivered what their new skipper Matthew Dennis badly wanted yesterday, a decisive win in the early rounds.

Powered by a dominant midfield, winning ruck and multi-pronged forward line, the Magpies flew to a 21.14 (140) to 10.8 (68) win over a young Tiwi Bombers side.

This was a Palmerston side come out to play after a disappointing loss to an emotionally fired up Waratah in the opening round.

A five-goal to one first term characterised by quick transfer of the football to teammates with more room to move than the early explorers, was too much for a Tiwi side that gave their opponents a free licence to roam the vast expanses of TIO Stadium.

Chris Williams and Eric Guthrie brought their own footballs to the ground, Dennis and Jack Berry supplied Williams, Guthrie and John Harvey with a regular supply of leather and Nigel Lockyer Jr booted five goals with some explosive running from full forward.

Williams said a pre-match game plan combined with a lot of hard work and team oriented football had paved the way for the win.

“It’s always good to get a win early in the season and me especially having changed colours this season. We knew a good start was important against the Tiwis.’’

The Tiwis struggled to get their running game going with any disposal usually pressured by a player in a black and white jumper alongside them.

The Bombers had their triers, Dion Munkara never stopped running and Harley Puruntatameri kicked four opportunist goals.

Young gun Tyson Tipuamantamerri made his Premier League debut and the experience of former VFL Hawk Mason DeWit in the back half is a foundation stone the coaching staff can build on.

PALMERSTON 5.1 13.4 18.10 21.14 (140)

TIWI BOMBERS 1.0 4.4 5.6 10.8 (68)

GOALS — Palm:N Lockyer Jr 5 T Kunoth 4 J Berry 2 E Guthrie 2 C Williams 2 M Rankine J Harvey M Chester K Groves M Dennis F Wilson. Tiwis: H Puruntatameri 4 N Ebinger 2 D Munkara 2 N Scagliarini P Kantilla.

BEST — Palm: C Williams E Guthrie N Lockyer Jr M Rankine M Dennis. Tiwis: D Munkara M DeWit R Puruntatameri N Scagliarini