NTFL 2024-25 live stream: Watch Waratah v Wanderers Round 9

Waratah squeaked past a lively Wanderers in a highly competitive contest that literally went down to the wire. Catch the full match REPLAY here.

Waratah did just enough to see off an in-form Wanderers outfit in a highly contested match in which goals were hard to come by.

The Muk Muks came in with two wins behind them and a renewed sense of confidence against a side aiming to further secure finals.

The match was made tougher in the sodden conditions, but despite a run of wayward kicking the Tahs did enough to see out the tight contest 7.12 (54) to 7.4 (46).

Wanderers had plenty to fight for with a win meaning they would inch closer to a top five berth while Matthew Motlop was playing his 100th Premier League game.

They started with plenty of urgency, particularly in the aftermath of a quick Waratah goal from tall Mitchell Jorgensen, and reacted in kind through a lively Cory Leggett.

Leggett would go on to have a big influence on the game alongside Billy Crofts and their ruck Max Johnson, while a Dray Thompson banana kick could be circled in as the goal of the round.

The Tahs came muscled into the contest later in the half and into the second with the usual consistent performers in Scott Carlin and Brodie Carroll found the ball.

They were also able to finally break the Waratah defence, particularly after the early exit to injury of skipper Mitchel Taylor, allowing further inroads into their forward 50.

Liam Odea was the benefactor popping up in the right locations, while Ricky Monti, Abe Ankers and Bailey Scott all gave strong accounts of themselves out of the midfield.

It was in that period that the Tahs snuck ahead, but inaccuracies meant they were unable to truly impose themselves on the scoreboard and allowed the Muk Muks to stay in the fray.

Wanderers inched their way back into the contest in the closing minutes of the final quarter as Leggett kept the pressure coming with Jack Sinclair, the hero against PINT, scoring.

As the score narrowed to one goal apart with two minutes left, the Wanderers momentum was snapped by free kicks and a steadfast Waratah defence that managed to seize the win.

“That was a good, ugly win, we were all over them in the third quarter just couldn’t kick the goals so it was good to win what was a tough game in the end,” Monti said.

“Wanderers made it tough and credit to them, for us the whole game plan was basically to get it forward to the top of the goal square and convert, which didn’t always come off.

“As a group we’ve really brought in are really tight, it’s only my first year up here but it’s like I’ve known the boys for years, I’ve loved it.

“Everyone in this group is playing for each other and we’re in a really good spot to shake up the league later on in the season.”

Score:

Waratah: 1.4 3.5 5.9 7.12 (54)

Wanderers: 3.1 3.3 4.3 7.4 (46)

Goals:

Waratah:

Mitchell Jorgensen 3, Liam Odea 2, Fraser Holland-Dean, Dylan Collis

Wanderers:

Cody Leggett 2, Jeremy Piercy, Jack Sinclair, Dray Thompson, Murray Waite, Tyler Phillips

Best:

Waratah:

Liam Odea, Scott Carlin, Bailey Scott, Abe Ankers, Ricky Monti,

Wanderers:

Cody Leggett, Max Johnson, Billy Crofts, Jeremy Piercy, Sonny Smiler

PREVIEW

The Muk Muks struck a last-minute winner against PINT and, if they are to keep their finals ambitions alive, they will need to maintain that momentum against a tough Waratah outfit.

The NT News and KommunityTV will stream every moment of this clash from 5.30pm on Saturday.

It came down to the wire last weekend, but Jack Sinclair’s goal means the Wanderers have back-to-back wins, and their third for the season.

It’s also a sign this Muk Muks side are gelling together after a swathe of newcomers joined the club for the 2024-25 season, including plenty of interstate talents.

Sinclair is one of those, but the likes of Jeremy Piercy, Jak Trewin and ball magnet Jaxon West have all applied themselves well in Top End conditions around the local core of known performers.

Wanderers will be relying on the likes of Kayne Cox. Pic: Tymunna Clements / AFLNT Media

But if they’re to make it three in a row they need to lift again, with Waratah fresh after a cancelled Round 8 outing.

The Tahs have been a standout side this season, pulling off the only win against reigning premiers St Mary’s, and have plenty of new, exciting recruits of their own, including Liam Odea, Ricky Monti and Jack Bambury.

Waratah have a strong defence and, despite missing their main scorer from last season, have yet to be troubled in terms of finding their way to goal.

Scott Carlin is their game breaker, with his work rate out the middle having him marked as one of the players of the season.

Watch the full replay at the end of the game.

The NT News and AFL Northern Territory have come together in a partnership to live stream both the men’s and women’s Premier League games for this TIO NTFL season.

Originally published as NTFL 2024-25 live stream: Watch Waratah v Wanderers Round 9