The NT News looks at the talking points from Round 18 of the 2020-21 NTFL season

Districts deliver parting shot, Wanderers need to sharpen up and Nightcliff can win from anywhere. WHAT WE LEARNED FROM NTFL ROUND 18 ACTION

Shaun Edwards during the NTFL's Round 18 match, St Mary's v Wanderers at TIO Stadium. Picture Glenn Campbell

THE NT News looks at some of the major talking points from an exciting Round 18 of the 2020-21 NTFL season, with Nightcliff, Palmerston, Districts and St Mary’s all finding wins.

Round 18 saw off the NTFL regular season in exciting fashion with Nightcliff overturning a massive defecit, Saints maintaining their momentum and Districts delivering a parting shot.

THE GREEN MACHINE ROLLS ON

Liam Taylor during the NTFL's Round 18 match, St Mary's v Wanderers at TIO Stadium. Picture Glenn Campbell

Saints will be brimming with confidence following a surprisingly dominant Round 18 win over their qualifying final opposition Wanderers.

The work rate of brothers Dylan and Jack Landt has been a particular highlight in recent weeks and the side offers plenty of depth beyond the two.

Brandyn Grenfell slotted in perfectly in the wake of injured ruckman Ryan Smith while the return of Lucas Jellyman-Turner added another dimension to the Saints midfield.

Club stalwarts such as Shaun Edwards, Nate Paredes, Raph Clarke and Shannon Rioli are all in dangerous form heading into finals.

On form they have the ability and firepower to go all the way and with a strong run of wins behind them they will have the confidence to push themselves to that goal.

WANDERERS NEED TO SHARPEN UP FOR FINALS

Simon Bates will want a sharper performance from his side when they next face Saints. Picture Glenn Campbell

St Mary’s resembled a steamroller when they beat qualifying final opponents Wanderers by 79 points in the last home and away round.

But while the green and gold jumpers rolled over the top of the Eagles, questions have to be asked of Wanderers’ intensity seven days before a crucial final against the same side.

Even their coach was surprised at the lack of competitiveness from his players, a sure sign the 22 players in blue and gold on Saturday night will be a different outfit.

Wanderers showed sparks of their true potential with Dane McFarlane gathering 28 disposals to set up the league’s top goal scorer Brett Eddy but it was ultimately too little.

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TIWI TO NOW FOCUS ON REBUILD

Paddy Heenan prepares to go long with the football. Picture: Felicity Elliott/AFLNT Media

Palmerston completed a hat-trick of wins over the disappointing Tiwi Bombers, with Chris Williams, Aiden McAdam and Ryan Warfe at the top of their best player list.

The Tiwis only had 15 players on the field when the match started before players began to filter in.

Returning veteran Simon Munkara’s two first quarter goals had the Tiwis in front for a brief period, but for most of the club officials watching from the stands, their end-of-season review will be a lot more important than the loss.

A club record 18 losses and no wins means a lot of work will have to be done to resurrect the Tiwis as NTFL finalists, beginning this week.

PARTING SHOT SHOWS DISTRICTS WEREN’T FAR OFF THE PACE

Round 15 NTFL: St Mary's v Southern Districts at TIO Stadium. Brodie Lake with a run down the wing. Picture: Che Chorley

A single-point win over the Buffaloes on the eve of finals showed what could have been for a Southern Districts side who have struggled for consistency in the 2020-21 season.

Another dominant display from former Fremantle and Gold Coast AFL player Michael Barlow provided the Crocs with plenty of ball on their home turf.

And defenders Michael Bowden and Lionel Ogden worked tirelessly to quell the charging Buffaloes who found their feet late in proceedings.

Captain Dean Staunton and Luke Kiel provided plenty of run and carry as they have done for Districts all year.

Add in imports Jay Dahlhaus and James Tsitas, who have since gone back down south, and the Crocs have the makings of a finals bound side, though inconsistency meant that was not to be this year.

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NIGHTCLIFF CAN WIN FROM ANYWHERE

Tigers's Dom Brew is a crucial cog in the Nightcliff squad. Picture: Glenn Campbell

Coming back from a 34 point deficit is a tough ask for any side including the reigning premiers but that’s exactly what the Tigers managed against Waratah at Gardens Oval.

Nightcliff looked down and out of the contest at half time after a seven-goal second quarter for the Tahs.

But a revival inspired by two-time Nichols medal winner Brodie Filo and Dom Brew, who managed 15 tackles, saw the Tigers roar back into the contest after the main break.

The minor premiers have won 15 of 18 games this season, with a draw to Wanderers also on their record, and in current form those wins don’t seem to be drying up anytime soon.