Wanderers beat Southern Districts in Round 13 of the 2020-21 NTFL at TIO Stadium

WANDERERS shook off post-break rust to break clear of a close game and take a 13.13 (91) to 7.4 (46) win over Southern Districts at TIO Stadium

Wanderers Dray Thompson chases down Jordan Bailey at TIO Stadium. Picture Glenn Campbell

WANDERERS shook off any post-Christmas break rust to surge clear in a largely close game and record a 13.13 (91) to 7.4 (46) win over Southern Districts at TIO Stadium.

Contributions from Jonathan Farrer and captain Dean Staunton put Travis Carroll In the perfect position to score the opening goal of the encounter with less than a minute played.

Districts momentum saw them retain control for the majority of the quarter however errant disposals late in the period gifted Wanderers two goals through Shaun Mannagh and Dane McFarlane.

James Tsitas, Brodie Lake and Staunton battled hard for possession giving their side plenty of on opportunities on the ball however Wanderers’ smarts kept their side in contention.

MORE NT SPORT STORIES

Waratah and the Tiwis seek a replacement date for their Round 13 match postponement

Wanderers utility Neil Vea Vea believes Muk Muks are showing signs from their 2015 NTFL title

Exclusive NTFL action: Wanderers vs Southern Districts. Watch the GAME REPLAY

Eddie Simpson and Brett Eddy ran matters up front for Wanderers and though Eddy found himself scoreless for the first time of the season he presented a constant threat up front.

And in the absence of Eddy’s scoring consistent ball getters McFarlane and Mannagh stepped in while young gun Dray Thompson found plenty of ball and made sure his presence was known.

Thompson’s efforts were rewarded with a goal in the final quarter pouncing on a wayward clearance from Districts to rush in a score and push the game clear for the Eagles.

“We had three or four weeks off so it was a bit of a struggle early on to get back into it particuarly getting back into the winners circle after losing before Christmas,” McFarlane told the NT News.

“We made a couple of silly mistakes early on missing easy targets and for us it was about hitting our targets and getting back to the basics.

“It was just about working hard. It was always going to be a bit tough getting into the game after a couple weeks off but it was working hard both ways.

“Now we just need to work our way back into things over the next couple of weeks ahead of finals and while it’s a bit cliché we just need to take it one week at a time.”

NT NEWS sizzling new deal: Get all your news for just $5 a month

Stats

Wanderers: 3.2 5.4 8.10 13.13 (91)

Districts: 2.1 4.3 6.3 7.4 (46)

Goals:

Wanderers: S Mannagh 3 D McFarlane 3 Josh Cubillo 2 D Thompson E Simpson M Totham Joel Cubillo L Patrick

Districts: T Carroll 2 J Ross 2 L Kiel M Duffy D Robertson

Best:

Wanderers: D McFarlane S Mannagh D Thompson E Simpson B Hodgson

Districts: D Staunton C McAdam J Tsitas L Kiel B Lake