Reigning NTFL premier Nightcliff can achieve rare threepeats in premierships and Nichols Medals

The coveted double chance remains the golden chalice for pursuing Premier League clubs St Mary’s, Wanderers, Waratah and the Buffaloes three weeks out from the 2020-21 finals

Ryan Pendlebury has been a foundation stone in the Darwin Buffaloes defence this season. Picture: Celina Whan AFLNT

NIGHTCLIFF midfielder Brodie Filo’s philosophy of putting your best side on the park three weeks from the finals action has been echoed by his selectors.

On a weekend when one of the Tigers’ favourite sons plays his 150th game, only key position player Hugo Drogemuller and clever small man Ryan Mu are out of the side to play Palmerston at Darwin Mazda Nightcliff Oval.

A split round of matches in Round 16 has the Tigers hosting an out of sorts Palmerston at Darwin Mazda Nightcliff Oval and also rans the Tiwi Bombers and Southern Districts clashing at TIO Stadium tomorrow.

Sunday’s action has a lot more interest with fourth and second-placed Waratah and St Mary’s meeting at Gardens Oval and Wanderers hosting the Darwin Buffaloes at Tracy Village in a third v fifth clash.

Filo, one of the top picks to win the league’s best and fairest medal, the Nichols Medal, for a record third time, said drought breaking former Nightcliff skipper Nathan Brown’s milestone game presented a golden opportunity for the players to put on a special performance.

“We haven’t had the best form at home, but I reckon for Browny’s 150th we’ll definitely find another level,’’ he said.

“Palmerston will be a pretty good contest, they gave Saints a run for their money a couple of weeks ago, so we’ll have to bring our ‘A’ game with us.’’

Waratah can climb to second place if it can beat St Mary’s and the Buffaloes trample on Wanderers inside the tight confines of Tracy Village.

Sunday’s timeslot means the classy Jack Geary cannot play for the Saints because of his employment and Nick Yarran must serve a three-week ban for striking in the win over Southern Districts.

But Tylah Saunders and Adam Parry come into a Saints side that beat Southern Districts by 45 points last week after a rain affected nine-point loss to rivals Nightcliff.

Daniel Weetra and exciting youngster Jesse Motlop, the son of Wanderers, North Melbourne and Port Adelaide forward Daniel, are back in the Eagles line-up.

The Buffaloes added some steel in defence, through the midfield and across half forward when Ryan Pendlebury, Dylan Gordon, Patrick Boles and Michael Hagan were added to their playing squad.

The Barlows — Michael and Ed — will make their comebacks for Southern Districts against the Tiwi Bombers in a match where both sides are already planning for next season.