What we learned from NTFL 2023-24 opening round
Scary starts from the Waratah men and PINT women, comeback victories and some kicking woes were the talking points from the opening round of the NTFL. Check out the key talking points.
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It was an opening round to remember with plenty of sides sending early season statements while there was more than one big comeback.
Waratah, Buffaloes, Wanderers and Nightcliff were the Round 1 victors from the men’s competition, each getting their seasons off to a perfect start.
And it was the same case for PINT, Waratah, Palmerston and St Mary’s over on the women’s side of the draw.
Waratah with another scary start
Reigning premiers Waratah have made it known they will once again be the side to watch in the 2023-24 season, smashing Southern Districts 19.12 (126) to 5.8 (38).
It isn’t the first time they’ve hit the ground running upsetting then-premiers St Mary’s 21.12 (138) to 5.7 (37) in the opening round of the 2022-23 season.
That match was fuelled by vengeance, as much as a need to make a statement, but was an early sign of Waratah going on to win their first flag in 23 years.
And if anything the side has only grown in skill, especially in the forward line, with the addition of Anthony Munkara and a group of young guns such as Dwayne Kerinaiua.
Munkara, in particular, was deadly in the forwards kicking six goals in his Tahs debut and return to NTFL footy after a year away with the Essendon Bombers.
Add in multiple goals for Kerinaiua and fellow small forward Jayden Magro and you have a potent group of goal scorers, which may only get better if tall forward Darcy Hope makes a return.
But as they’ve proven in the past this isn’t just a group of forwards, but a complete 22 with some of the league’s best in their back line and midfield too.
This opening match was confirmation they are flag favourites for now, and if they are to beat St Mary’s next up their confidence will be sky-high.
Player Ratings:
3. Anthony Munkara (Waratah)
2. Edward Morris (Waratah)
1. Arnold Kirby (Waratah)
PINT women looking lethal
They may have shed a few players in the offseason, but if their opening match is anything to go by PINT are going to be the side to watch again in the women’s competition.
The Queenants have been the benchmark side for the past three seasons having won twice and making three grand finals in that time.
But a 16.12 (108) to 1.1 (7) win against what is a strong Darwin Buffettes side, on paper, will have sent alarm bells to the rest of the league.
Former Adelaide Crow Jasmyn Hewett was once again integral winning ruck after ruck, while Reni Hicks gathered the important possessions in the midfield to get the ball moving in the right direction.
And from there the forwards went to work with Steph Lawrence already putting her hand up for the seasons leading goal scorer with seven to her name.
Amy Chittick and Kylie Lynch also pounced taking two goals each to start their season on a real percentage booster.
It was a win any side would have been happy with, but also one which took everyone by surprise, considering how evenly matched the sides have been in recent years.
But a good set-up for a difficult first few rounds for PINT who face Nightcliff next and then last year’s runner ups, Waratah, in Round 3.
This first set of games will be a real test of the Greenants, as they also come up St Mary’s in Round 5.
Player Ratings
3. Steph Lawrence (PINT)
2. Jasmyn Hewett (PINT)
1. Reni Hicks (PINT)
Saints’ goal kicking woes
It’s still early days and a bit of early season rust is always to be expected, but St Mary’s will be focused pretty intensely on goal kicking for the next few weeks.
A return of just five goals from 19 scoring shots blew any chance of a Saints victory in the season opener, despite a very even contest across the midfield.
But for all the work Nichols medallist Dylan Landt put in, his troops up front were unable to reward his efforts, in part because of the pressure put on by Nightcliff’s defence.
Saints matters went from bad to worse when the winner of the leading goal scorer medal from the past two seasons, Jackson Calder, didn’t feature in the second half with injury.
It’s an issue which hurt Saints at times last season with the goal scoring drying up whenever their tall forward was put under pressure.
When that happened we would often see Landt move further up field to take over the goal kicking, though playing him in the midfield, where he is best, should be the focus.
Meanwhile, the Tigers took their chances with eight separate goal scorers from their 10.3 (63) winning score.
However, the Green Machine are never too far away from finding the right fit with Jack Landt a proven goal kicker, while Brandyn Grenfell may make an appearance in a few weeks’ time.
Fortunately, it’s a long season and while the goal kicking was an issue, Saints had parity with Nightcliff in most other areas.
But if they’re looking for a win early in the season they will have to improve in that area sharply with reigning premiers Waratah up next.
Player Ratings
3. Jonathan Lanyon (Nightcliff)
2. Dylan Landt (Saints)
1. Brodie Filo (Nightcliff)
Wanderers growing as a group
For a side coming into the season with no expectations, Wanderers enjoyed the perfect start with a win over Palmerston.
Coach Aaron Motlop has been clear this year is a transitional side for his club with many established stars, including Steven Motlop, switching clubs in the offseason.
Instead he’s focused on a core of long-time Muk Muks servants and a few young guns to carry the side through, particularly in the early stages of the season.
The Eagles showed plenty of determination throughout the fairly-even encounter to grind out the win against Palmerston, a side in a fairly similar phase.
Nathan Arbon served the side well picking up possession after possession while Braedon McLean and Mahli Hill were also busy throughout the encounter.
There will be tougher matches to come for this Wanderers side, but if they continue to show their resolve and continue to build as a group they may be able to mix it with the big sides.
Player ratings
3. Nathan Arbon (Wanderers)
2. Mahli King (Wanderers)
1. Kain Fuller (Palmerston)
Buffs show of effort
The Darwin Buffaloes had to do it the hard way, but in the end their effort and intent showed as they ran over the top of PINT to steal the win.
The Greenants’ new recruits were the dominant force for the majority of the opening half with Steven Motlop, Thomas Motlop and Warwick Williams all making an impact.
And very quickly through the boot of captain Matt Ryan and Silver Yousif the Greenants had themselves a handy lead.
But Buffaloes showed heart as they stuck into the contest with their captain Jarrod Stokes and a new recruit of their own, Baxter Mensch, dominating in the midfield.
The game twisted into their hands from there with Kevin Maroney finding his place in the back line, while Daniel Stafford found his confidence in front of goal.
It wasn’t until the dying minutes in which they found parity again, and soon after that they found themselves two goals ahead.
In the words of milestone man Chris Atkinson they would have been down by 100 if not for their effort, and it was that effort which gave them a chance to take the win when PINT tired late.
It’s an important statement for Buffaloes to make early the season, against a side which was only a couple of points from taking their finals spot last season.
And it’s a marker for the Double Blues too, who now know they have to keep up the effort week in and week out if they want to take on the big guns.
Player ratings
3. Baxter Mensch (Buffaloes)
2. Jarrod Stokes (Buffaloes)
1. Ethan Penrith (PINT)
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