The Eagles have landed after a four quarter masterclass demolishes the ladder leaders

Wanderers win the Nungalinya Cup as they consolidate second position with a big win over the Darwin Buffaloes

Nichols medallist Beau O'Connell and Stanley Tipiloura were important players for Wanderers. Picture: Chris Kent AFLNT/Media

WANDERERS got their hands around the Nungalinya Cup last night and continued their rise from obscurity when they beat the Darwin Buffaloes by 50 points.

The top-of-the-table clash at TIO Stadium was over at halftime as a fiercely committed Eagles side attacked the ball hard, built an airtight defence and opened up several scoring opportunities in their forward half.

Their 14.5 (89) to 5.9 (39) win also confirmed Shannon Motlop’s side as the big improvers in season 20-21.

The blue and gold jumpers flew out of the blocks with a four-goal to nothing first term, two goals each from Stanley Tipiloura and the league’s leading goalkicker Brett Eddy giving them an early grip on the game.

The Buffaloes could not find a way to goal until the five minute mark of the second quarter when Ishmael Palmer marked a Michael Coombes kick forward and converted with an around the corner snap.

Wanderers looked more organised in defence with skipper Braedon McLean and Brenton Motlop prominent and had plenty of run through the middle with Dane McFarlane, Ronald Fejo and Brysan Hodgson controlling proceedings.

Youngster Dray Thompson was everywhere with his rebounding work off half back and Rising Star nominee Ronald Fejo did some clever things on the back of his superb leg speed.

It was a disappointing night for the Buffaloes who looked flat after their big win over St Mary’s seven days ago.

Ryan Pendlebury enhanced his reputation as one of the league’s premier backmen and Jarrod Stokes shared goal of the match status with five-goal Wanderers spearhead after both players turned long runs from the midfield and half forward into goals.

WANDERERS 4.1 7.3 12.4 14.5 (89)

BUFFALOES 0.2 2.3 3.6 5.9 (39)

GOALS — Wanderers: B Eddy 5 S Tipiloura 2 D Thompson B O’Connell Josh Cubillo Joel Cubillo E Simpson D McFarlane B Hodgson. Buffaloes: J Stokes 2 I Palmer D Gordon D Matricardi.

BEST — Wanderers: B Hodgson D McFarlane D Thompson R Fejo M Taylor. Buffaloes: R Pendlebury B Stokes C Atkinson J Stokes S AhMat.