The NT News looks at the talking points from Round 16 of the 2020-21 NTFL season
Nightcliff on a roll, Saints master wet weather footy and Tahs on hard road for double chance. WHAT WE LEARNED FROM NTFL ROUND 16 ACTION
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THE NT News looks at some of the major talking points from an exciting Round 16 of the 2020-21 NTFL season, with Nightcliff, Wanderers, Districts and St Mary’s all finding wins.
Round 16 was another exciting round of Top End footy with Nightcliff on a roll, Saints mastering the wet weather and Tahs now on the hard road for the double chance.
NIGHTCLIFF ON THE FINALS CHARGE
Milestone games have become automatic wins in NTFL Premier League matches of late and reigning premier Nightcliff showed exactly why when it demolished an undermanned Palmerston on Saturday night.
Popular clubman Nathan Brown who led 21 other Tigers out of the premiership wilderness almost two years ago was playing his 150th game and his teammates wanted to hand him four premiership points as a match present.
Shaun Wilson, Brodie Filo, Cameron Ilett, Ryan Nyhuis, Daniel Bowles, Phillip Wills, name your poison, the Tigers were there in numbers and are a big chance to be smiling on the second last Saturday in March.
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NO DOUBTS AROUND CONSISTENT SAINTS
Any doubts on the finals preparations of 33-time premier St Mary’s disappeared down the drainage pipes at Gardens Oval on Sunday.
Nine wins from their last 10 games, highlighted by an average 49 points being kicked against them and the consistent form of players like Dylan Landt, Nathaniel Paredes, Raphael Clarke and Jack Landt has the Saints faithful looking forward to another finals series.
And with rain and wet grounds a safe bet through February and March the Green Machine is well equipped to go deep into the finals and another matchup with last season’s conquerors Nightcliff.
WARATAH ON HARD ROAD FOR DOUBLE CHANCE
While their finals spot is locked in Waratah find themselves with a remote chance of gaining the fancied double chance following their third loss of the season to St Mary’s.
A game and a half down on Wanderers and two games down on Saints the Tahs have to win both of their games and hope their adversaries win neither of theirs.
A tough ask for the Ryan Ayres side that in current form would probably fancy their finals chances regardless of double chance or not.
Will Collis and Rob Turnbull have been in particularly strong form alongside Abe Ankers and Timmy Mosquito.
The return of ruckman Zach Westerberg will also be a major boon for Tahs in the coming weeks.
WANDERERS DEPTH SHOWS IN WET ENCOUNTER
On the rain sodden grounds at Tracy Village Wanderers found their way to the win despite trailing with their strength in depth being a deciding factor.
The sometimes overlooked Marcus Totham was a shining light for Wanderers in the wet and slippery encounter with his three goals perhaps proving the difference between the two sides.
While the ever consistent Dane McFarlane and inspiring captain Braedon McLean also found plenty of time with the ball in a game where consistent possessions were limited.
Josh Cubillio and Brett Eddy finished with two goals each playing key roles in seeing off any chance of a Buffaloes resurgence.
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DISTRICTS BIG WIN PROVES THEY HAVE THE PLAYERS TO COMPETE
If the solid win over Tiwi proved anything it is that Districts have the players to mix it with the best but 2020-21 happened to be a season where the Crocs have suffered with availability.
Michael Barlow and Ed Barlow starred in their return to the outfit picking up 48 and 30 touches respectively in a show of what could have been had the season worked out differently.
Luke Kiel, Jay Dahlhaus, rising star nominee Jordan Bailey and Charlie McAdam also starred in a game the Crocs dominated possession with 446 disposals to the Bombers 160.
Granted the victory and stats do come against an underperforming Tiwi it will have the Districts faithful hopeful of a better season finish in 2022.
REPLAY: Saints incredible streak stretches to 15 wins
They were jumped early by Nightcliff but St Mary’s have progressed in the NTFL finals and kept their brilliant winning run going. Watch the full match REPLAY.
REPLAY: Five-goal explosion inspires Saints to continue flag defence
St Mary’s hadn’t beaten Waratah all season – but in the heat of a win or go home elimination final the reigning premiers have shown their class. Watch the full match REPLAY.