2025-26 NTFL live stream: Watch Waratah v Southern Districts in Round 11
Southern Districts are back on the winner’s list and did so in style dominating Waratah for large periods of their Round 11 NTFL clash. Watch the full match REPLAY.
Southern Districts are back in the winner’s list off the back of a high pressure game that gave Waratah little to room to breathe
Districts had endured two tight defeats to Nightcliff and St Mary’s, a rarity for the side in recent times, but as is often said the mark of a truly great team is how they bounce back.
And the Crocs did just that using their superior height and muscle in the midfield to overpower Waratah at every turn on their way to the 11.12 (78) to 6.10 (46) win.
Waratah had come within a goal of levelling Districts in their last meeting, but many of the stars from that encounter were unavailable leaving the side more susceptible for the Crocs talents.
Districts dominated from the off with the explosiveness of Jed Anderson apparent while Wyatt Ryan was able to take control with his height in the middle.
Will Farrer was the early benefactor in front of goal and he turned it on across the day with four goals, while former North Melbourne player Tarryn Thomas had two.
But their defensive pressure game is what won them the day with Matt Shannon and Matt Johnston pivotal among many others in giving Waratah little room to breathe.
The Tahs resorted to a handball happy game plan knowing any kick out would become a contest rather than to their own advantage.
Scott Carlin did have his moments where he was able to give his side front foot ball, but the Waratah skipper was limited in options up forward.
Joel Stevens and Clay Shadforth brought some amount of x-factor and some big strikes of theirs fell the wrong side of the posts.
But even when they had chances the Districts defence, and more specifically a very good Jordan Johnston in almost a goal keeper role, snuffed them out.
Hewago Oea was a key component of the high pressure game pushing up the field with his pace and limiting ways out in his last game with Districts before returning to Southport Sharks.
He had a starring moment to close out the third quarter finding himself in space and racing toward goal with three bounces and a shot as he ran into the 50 to nail a goal that put the side 50 points up.
His pace game meshed perfectly with the Districts forward options, who all posed threats Waratah couldn’t ignore, and particularly the classy Beau Schwarze.
Waratah had the better of things in the final quarter with Brodie Carroll scoring two goals to put some respectability on the board but the match had by that stage already escaped them.
“We know teams are coming after us and we’ve been under the pump because we’re the premier side so it’s good to get back on the winning board,” Oea said.
“The message has been to work hard for each other and the boys have done that playing good footy to ensure we don’t go three losses in a row.
“The work has been on our defensive side, we know we have offensive power in the outside space, so we worked on the inside stuff contest to contest and our defence and pressure won us the game.
“For that goal the boys put in the hard work and I was lucky to get in space knowing I have the speed to take the game on and get the snag, but credit goes to the boys behind the scenes.”
The former Gold Coast Sun played his last game with Districts following standout showings for the side since getting the invite to experience a different footy competition.
“As soon as I walked in the boys were welcoming, and so was coaching staff and whole Southern Districts community,” he said.
“And that’s what I wanted, coming up here making new friends and playing in a different competition, I’ve loved it.”
PREVIEW
Reigning premiers Southern Districts find themselves in a rare winless rut and a face-off against Waratah is yet another big clash they need to get up for.
Every moment of the match will be streamed live from 6.30pm on Saturday by The NT News and KommunityTV as part of our season-long NTFL coverage.
WHY TO WATCH
The Crocs were on a 17 match unbeaten streak but close losses to Nightcliff and St Mary’s have brought them back down to earth.
Goal kicking will have been one of their big areas of improvement as in both losses Districts generated more scoring shots than their opposition but struggled to get the points that mattered.
And that points to the talent of this squad with Jed Anderson as explosive as ever, while the likes of Mitchell Bidmade and Matt Johnston have put in strong work through the midfield.
Districts will be well aware of the threat that Waratah pose, beating them by just six points four weeks ago and this meeting is shaping to be just as closely fought.
Waratah are right in the battle for a finals spot as well with recent wins over Nightcliff and Tiwi more than putting them in the mix.
They would have been disappointed however in their second half fade against top of the table PINT last round that now has them sitting fifth.
Cody Szust was a standout and has proven himself an integral pick-up this season, while Round 9 Rising Star nominee Sebastian Carta has been in fine form of late.
HOW TO WATCH
The NT News, KommunityTV 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.
On game day, the live stream for this match will appear at the top of this story in the lead up to the first bounce.
To find other games from this round click the links in the schedule box above.
Alternatively you can head to www.kommunitytv.com.au and use the video player at the top of the site to watch all the action live and scroll through the most recent replays.
Only News Corp Australia full digital subscribers will have exclusive access to watch the action.
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Originally published as 2025-26 NTFL live stream: Watch Waratah v Southern Districts in Round 11
