The NT News looks at the talking points from Finals Week 2 of the 2020-21 NTFL season
NIGHTCLIFF assert dominance, Buffettes leapfrog Pint and Saints’ defensive game proves decisive. WHAT WE LEARNED FROM FINALS WEEK 2 ACTION
Sport
Don't miss out on the headlines from Sport. Followed categories will be added to My News.
THE NT News looks at some of the major talking points from an exciting Finals Week 2 of the 2020-21 NTFL season, with Nightcliff and St Mary’s winning the men’s finals and Nightcliff and Darwin Buffettes winning the women’s.
The second week of finals saw Nightcliff assert their dominance in the men’s competition while Buffettes surprised Pint to climb into the grand final.
NIGHTCLIFF IN POLE POSITION FOR THREEPEAT
If Nightcliff were warm favourites to win its sixth Premier League flag on Saturday afternoon, any bookie worth their salt would have reduced their odds by 50 per cent after the Tigers’ 75-point walloping of Wanderers a few hours later.
The Muk Muks were missing some key personnel for the clash but they would not have stopped the Nightcliff express that crashed its way across TIO Stadium without stopping.
Brodie Filo, Dominic Brew and Cameron Ilett were once again dominant across the ground while seven-goal forward John Butcher showed his class in front of the posts.
All in all it was a night which senior coach Chris Baksh would have happily transferred to March 20 when the Big Dance will be held in front of an 8000-strong crowd.
MORE NT SPORT STORIES
The NT News reveals the Women’s team of the year back line of the NTFL 2020-21 season
BUFFETTES TAKE PINT BY SURPRISE
The Darwin Buffettes were once again one of the stories of the week as they delivered the first defeat of the season to minor premiers Pint.
Trailing at every change it looked as if the Queenants would add another victory to their tally but the Double Blues leapfrogged the favourites scoring five goals to one in the second half.
Dom Carbone, Molly Althouse and Talia Corries were crucial in keeping their side in contention while Ashanti Bush added the finishing touches in the second half.
With the Buffettes now safely into the grand final they await their opposition in either the form of a vengeful Pint or a Nightcliff side that has taken the finals series by storm.
BOUNCE BACK NEEDED FOR WANDERERS
Very little went the way of Wanderers in their 75-point major semi-final loss against Nightcliff, despite the sides each scoring a goal in the opening minutes.
The Muk Muks were without key trio Brett Eddy (shoulder), Josh Cubillo (knee) and Marlon Motlop (unavailable) at the first bounce, robbing them of a key forward target, a bulldozing midfielder and a classy on-baller in the pressure cooker finals cauldron.
Adding to that was the loss of their talismanic captain Braedon McLean who has been a catalyst for much of the Eagles’ good form over the past year.
The Shannon Motlop coached side will be relying on their second bounce back win in three weeks if they’re to pip Saints in the prelim final.
And a win of that kind will require import trio Brodie Newman, Shaun Mannagh and Dane McFarlane to fire.
SAINTS DEFENCE PIVOTAL TO SUCCESS
Saints’ strength in defence was on full display against the Waratah in the minor semi-final and was pivotal in their win.
The defensive end led by Dylan Landt and Tylah Saunders has often been an asset of the Green Machine’s this season with only minor premiers Nightcliff conceding less points.
Against Tah’s it was once again an asset allowing the Saints’ midfield and forward freedom to do apply pressure on the score line and across the park.
Elsewhere, Jackson Calder enjoyed one of his best games of the season up front scoring six goals while Lachie Taylor was a weapon on the wing.
HOT new deal: Read everything for 28 days for just $1
NIGHTCLIFF CONTINUE DREAM FINALS RUN
The Tigers’ women won their first ever finals match a week ago and now they’ve doubled that tally to two with a win over St Mary’s.
They now find themselves in a preliminary final against a Pint side looking to rebound from their first loss of the season.
Though on current form Nightcliff will be backing themselves to take on the minor premiers as they look to break into the grand final.
Spearhead Mickayla Ward stood out against the Saints while Sophie Hatzismalis, Olivia Hatzismalis and Jamie Lee Puautjimi all showed they are ready for a shot of Premier League glory.
‘See some records broken’: First medals given out as ‘Games with Heart’ kicks off
One of the biggest weeks on the Red Centre sporting calendar is underway in full force, drawing thousands of competitors – some of whom have already taken out the top prize. SEE THE PICTURES.
REPLAY: Magpies impress in first outing of new campaign
Is this a changing of the guard moment in the NTFL women’s competition? A young Palmerston side has overcome a rebuilding Waratah to kick off their season in style. Check the REPLAY.