Tigers prevail in the battle of the NTFL’s top sides, and Wanderers beat out Palmerston

Nightcliff squares the ledger with Premier League rivals St Mary’s by beating them in a Round 4 clash at league headquarters, while Wanderers brought the heat to beat Palmerston.

NIGHTCLIFF jumped to the top of the Premier League ladder with a tradesmanlike 17-point win over St Mary’s in Saturday night’s NTFL clash.

In a game where the lead changed five times, the Tigers’ edge in experience and greater forward power gave them a 12.16 (88) TO 10.11 (71) win.

St Mary’s kicked the first three goals of the match despite the absence of spearhead Jackson Calder, who missed the game through injury.

Nightcliff kicked the next four goals through speedster Ryan Mu and Kyle Emery, but it was two late strikes by Nigel Lockyer Jr, one from a flying chest mark that gave the Saints a three-point lead at lemon time.

Shaun Wilson had another strong game for Nightcliff Tigers. Picture: Felicity Elliott / AFLNT Media

The lead changed five times in the first half, the Tigers booting three goals to one in the second term to take an eight-point lead into the break.

The clash between the last two grand finalists was always going to be a last man standing affair with top spot on the ladder and early season bragging rights up for grabs.

Played at a frantic pace in the first half, the intensity continued to the final siren with pacy breakaways and heavy work at the fall of the ball commonplace.

Nightcliff’s quick movement of the ball and plenty of options in front of goals had the normally efficient Saints defence in a spin in the all-important third term.

Smart ball use was another plus for the Tigers as players like Wade Derksen, Brodie Filo, Shaun Wilson and Jamie Jones started to get their hands on the footy.

The Tigers booted four goals to one in the quarter in a display that mirrored their premiership years.

Numbers around the ball, long kicks to a leading player, creative handball in close or to a teammate further up the ground were all part of the club’s flag threepeat from 2019-21.

NIGHTCLIFF 4.5 7.7 11.13 12.16 (88)

ST MARY’S 5.2 6.5 7.6 10.11 (71)

GOALS — Night: R Mu 3 C Ilett 3 T Melville 2 K Emery 2 S Wilson S Harper. StM: N Lockyer 4 N Paredes 2 J Kluske 2 H Labastida R Smith.

BEST — Night: W Derksen B Filo R Mu J Jones T Melville. StM: S Edwards N Lockyer X Vallejo H Labastida N Paredes.

WANDERERS BROUGHT THE HEAT AND SOME KEY INCLUSIONS TO BEAT PALMERSTON MAGPIES

THE return of key defenders allowed Wanderers to bring the heat and pressure early to stamp down a 15.10 (100) to 7.4 (46) round 4 win over Palmerston Magpies.

The run and carry of Beau O’Connell got the game moving and it was his pace that earned the Eagles their first goal.

Crafty goals at an angle from Ed Simpson followed alongside a couple of long ranged efforts from Darren Shillabeer and Jarred Erlandson to see Wanderers creep further ahead.

Palmerston had their moments early on with Eric Guthrie the main supply man with goals for Levi Grigg and Max Sutton the reward.

But the pressure game of the Muk Muk’s big returners Brodie Newman and captain Braedon McLean alongside the efforts of Lloyd Johnston kept Palmerston off the ball for long periods.

Wanderers’ Brodie Newman made an impact in his first game back for his side. Picture: Felicity Elliott / AFLNT Media

Those efforts alongside the Eagles’ overall work rate kept Palmerston scoreless in the third quarter, a period where two Shillabeer goals widened the advantage.

Magpies showed some flair to kick off the fourth quarter with captain Chris Williams belting the ball downfield for another goal for Brandon Ugle.

And though more goals came in for the side including one through the valuable midfielder Rudy Riddoch it was too late for the comeback.

“I’m always so stoked to put on a Wanderers jumper so to be out there with them again was a privilege,” Newman said, pleased to mark his return with a win.

“Our ball movement was a lot more free flowing. We just all played our roles, our forward line worked so well together and our smalls played their role.

“It’s always a focus of ours to put the pressure up and bring the heat early, we knew they were going to come so we just put the pressure on early to try and stamp them out.

“It’s been a bit different with some new guys. Bit hot out there as well so a little bit tougher than last year where I had a few weeks to acclimatise but the boys have welcomed me back with open arms.”

Score:

Wanderers: 7.4 9.6 13.7 15.10 (100)

Palmerston: 2.2 4.3 4.3 7.4 (46)

Goals:

Wanderers: D Shillabeer 5 E Simpson 3 J Erlandson J Motlop B O’Connell W Williams M Motlop

Palmerston: L Grigg 3 M Sutton B Ugle C Williams R Riddoch

Best:

Wanderers: B Newman L Johnston B O’Connell E Simpson D Shillabeer

Palmerston: E Guthrie L Grigg C Baird L Flanagan W Rowbottom