‘We are the champions’ was the message Nightcliff handed out to St Mary’s last night

Reigning premier Nightcliff hammers out a strong message to the rest of the NTFL competition by beating St Mary’s by 53 points

St Mary’s Raphael Clarke was a solid contributor.

NIGHTCLIFF reminded the rest of the NTFL competition they are the reigning champions after a convincing 53-point win over St Mary’s in last night’s grand final rematch.

All the big names and a sprinkling of new ones lifted the Tigers to a 14.13 (97) to 6.8 (44) win at TIO Stadium.

Nightcliff’s first quarter showed everything about a side renowned for its intensity at the football and number of scoring options in front of goal.

The Tigers can double the number of senior premierships at the club by winning their third Premier League in as many seasons next March.

And that looked to be their intent in a first quarter blast that almost blew a very good St Mary’s side off TIO Stadium.

Despite a goalkicking radar that was offline in the first half — seven goals from 16 shots — Nightcliff resembled a well-oiled machine moved to a four-goal lead at halftime.

Not a lot seemed to have changed from the grand final, hard running, numbers around the ball, pressure on the opposition player and clean skills by hand and foot.

St Mary’s kicked the first goal in each quarter, but found themselves immediately on the defensive when the Tigers fired back with instant replies.

The usual suspects found the football through a combination of reading the play and intensity at the ball.

Shaun Wilson took up where he left off on the last day in March, Brodie Filo and Daniel Bowles did the same and new Tigers Perry Lewis-Smith and Adam Jorgensen look capable of contributing class and strength to their club’s threepeat search.

St Mary’s were not disgraced despite the margin on the scoreboard, Nathaniel Paredes was back to his best 24 hours after playing in a marathon soccer semi-final and Brandyn Grenfell’s debut in a green and gold jumper was full of class.

First choice ruckman Ryan Smith missed through suspension and captain Shannon Rioli missed the match.

NIGHTCLIFF 4.7 7.9 10.11 14.13 (97)

ST MARY’S 1.1 4.3 6.5 6.8 (44)

GOALS — Nightcliff: M Bricknell 2 L Holt-Fitz 2 C Ilett 2 J Butcher 2 K Emery 2 J Budarick B Filo P Lewis-Smith. St Mary’s: B Grenfell 2 S Edwards T Gilbert N Paredes D Walters.

BEST — Nightcliff: S Wilson D Bowles D Brew P Lewis-Smith C Ilett. St Mary’s: N Paredes B Grenfell S Edwards R Clarke L Taylor.