The NT News looks at the talking points from Round 7 of the 2020-21 NTFL season

Wanderers youth standout, groundhog day for Palmerston and the real Nightcliff comes forward. WHAT WE LEARNED FROM ROUND 7

All the talking points from Round 7 of the 2020-21 NTFL season. Picture: Che Chorley

THE NT News looks at some of the major talking points from Round 7 of the 2020-21 NTFL season with St Mary’s, Nightcliff, Wanderers and Districts all notching wins.

There was plenty of action and intrigue in Round 6 including a sighting of the real Nightcliff, standout performances from Wanderers youth and a groundhog day display from Palmerston.

TAHS LACK KILLER INSTINCT AGAINST ST MARY’S

Waratah lack killer instinct against St Mary’s. Picture: Che Chorley

Persistence and the lack of a killer instinct were key elements to emerge from St Mary’s 13-point come-from-behind win over Waratah last weekend.

Some Shaun Edwards magic and a lot of defensive pressure around the ball and down back won the game for St Mary’s when Waratah should have been out of sight on the scoreboard.

The red and whites may need former star Chris Williams to come down to Gardens Oval and straighten them up in front of goals, or at least spend 30 minutes every training night focusing on set and running shots.

Tahs seemed to lack the ability to bury their rivals after dominating for long periods against the Saints without relaying the amount of possession to the scoreboard attendant.

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WANDERERS JUNIOR PROGRAM FINALLY PRODUCING PLAYERS CAPABLE OF SENIOR LEVEL?

Wanderers Ronald Fejo Jr had another standout performance against Buffaloes. Picture: Felicity Elliott/NTFL Media

That was the question on everyone’s lips as the ball use, tackling and hard running of Dray Thompson, Ronald Fejo and Joel Cubillo played big roles in the Eagles’ 50-point win over the Darwin Buffaloes.

Coach Shannon Motlop’s claim pre-match that he hadn’t seen a lot from his side to suggest they were flag contenders must have changed after the authority and determination his players showed when in possession of the football and when the opposition had the footy.

TIWI WILL RUE MISSED OPPURTUNITY AGAINST DISTRICTS

Tiwi Bombers star Ashton Hams had a massive performance against Southern Districts. Picture: Keri Megelus

A fourth quarter surge put the Bombers level with Southern Districts with only a couple of minutes to go and the momentum in their favour.

But a late game-saver saw the Crocs over the line and Tiwi slump to their seventh successive defeat despite the best efforts of Fletcher Carroll, Ashton Hams, Mason DeWit and Harley Puruntatameri.

You have to go back to the 2016-17 season for the last time the Bombers went seven rounds without a win and on that occasion they finished the season bottom of the table.

There’s a lot of bright spots in this Tiwi side but if they don’t turn their fortunes around soon then they may be in for a repeat of that season.

GROUNDHOG DAY FOR THE PALMERSTON MAGPIES

SThe inclusion of big name players such as Daniel Stafford has done little to change Palmerston’s fortunes. Picture: Aaron Black/AFLNT Media

Things were looking on the up for the Palmerston club in the preseason with plenty of strong signings including Nigel Lockyer Jr, Daniel Stafford and Toshie Kurnoth.

However, seven rounds into the 2020-21 season and with just one win it’s starting to look like another disappointing season for the Magpies.

Until now the Magpies have been trying with the likes of skipper Matt Dennis, Eric Guthrie and Chris Williams consistent standouts.

But a heavy 19.15 (129) to 4.10 (34) home defeat to reigning premiers Nightcliff are a sign that this is another year where the Magpies don’t reach the finals.

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THE REAL NIGHTCLIFF MAY HAVE FINALLY COME FORWARD

Nightcliff stepped it up another gear against Palmerston. Picture Glenn Campbell

The two-time premiers have won through games without stepping into gear so far but against Palmerston they looked the finished article we all know.

The Magpies haven’t posed much of a challenge this season but for the Tigers to limit them to just four goals is a feat unmatched this season.

Liam Holt-Fitz playing in just his second game of the year booted five goals while Kyle Emery kicked four majors against his 2019-20 side.

William Wheeler and Daniel Bowles stood out in the stats with 30 and 28 disposals respectively in what was a complete demolition job to send a warning to the rest of the league.