NTFL 2024-25 live stream: Watch Tiwi Bombers v Palmerston Magpies Round 9
The hosts’ big first-half effort proved match-winning after the heavens opened up at the main break and prevented any play in the second half. Check out the highlights from the first two quarters.
Tiwi brought the excitement in its one and only home game of the year as the heavens opened up in their shortened win against Palmerston.
A contest cut short by lightning strikes above the spectators stands - less than 30m from the oval - saw the match called at the end of the half.
And as fortune would have it the lightning warning came just as half time ticked over meaning it was an 8.7 (55) to 3.5 (23), instead of what would have been an unlucky tie.
It was reminiscent of their last outing at Wurrumiyanga Oval wherein the Bombers led eventual premiers St Mary’s and won when the lightning came.
The Bombers went ballistic in the opening 20 minutes, putting up a score so great the locals and AFLNT staff ran onto the field at quarter time thinking it was the long break.
Local hero and silky striker of the Sherrin Kim Kantilla led the way for Tiwi with a first period hattrick, while Malachi Walley added to his season’s tally with two from the match.
Kurt Dunn, Blake Puruntatameri and Michael Thompson were also immense for the home side as the Magpies did its best to counter the onslaught.
The second quarter was played in its entirety under the rain with the downfall picking up as the period progressed.
So bad was the weather, the Bombers could not hit the leather straight, kicking five behinds and a single goal.
The Magpies fared much worse, unable to muster up anything when in possession, overwhelmed by the Bombers’ relentless play.
Not one minute after the halftime buzzer rang out a massive boom of thunder was heard overhead.
Less than five minutes later a bolt of lightning hit a tree just outside the oval’s fence sending an electric shock through the air and all those still out on the field to sprint for cover.
Lightning hit within a very close radius another half a dozen times in 15 minutes before the storm finally rolled through.
Once the lighting had passed and rain died down the allotted time had also passed rendering the match abandoned and having reached half time it meant a win for Tiwi.
Bomber’s Tanna Blackney-Noter, also a teacher on the island, said the game was like nothing he had witnessed in his life.
“This is just island footy at its best,” he said.
“I’ve never experienced anything like what’s just happened but it was one of the most entertaining, stressful and fun games I’ve been in.
“I’ve been here for three years now and each game is different, we had such a great first term with some of the local boys turning it up a gear.
“Then the rain came in the second and you couldn’t see a single thing.
“And then the lighting hit and it was just insane.
“Definitely would’ve loved to have the game restart but got to say a big thanks to all those that set this up and the Palmy boys for being such great sports and yeah, definitely a game I’ll never forget.”
SCORE
Tiwi: 7.2 8.7 (55)
Palmerson: 3.2 3.5 (23)
GOALS
Tiwi: Kim Kantilla 3, Malachi Walley 2, Sam Darley, Anthony Munkara, Thaddeus Puautjimi
Palmerston: Lucas Edmonds, Deacon Summerville, Shaun Wilson
BEST
Tiwi: Kurt Dunn, Michael Thompson, Blake Puruntatameri, Kim Kantilla, Sam Darley
Palmerston: Lucas Edmonds, Shaun Wilson, Ryan Warfe, Tristen Waack, Matthew Payne
PREVIEW
The Tiwi Bombers are finally back at home after two relocated games - and they are determined to make it count against a struggling Palmerston Magpies.
The NT News and KommunityTV will stream every moment of this clash from 1.30pm on Saturday.
The Bombers are coming off a much-needed bye following two matches in which they lost leads late on against high flyers St Mary’s and Waratah.
They have proven time and again they can mix it with the best so, as they look to sew up a spot in the top five, they will be eyeing this game off with relish.
Boosting their percentages will be the goal on Saturday against a side who has been on the end of some frightful hidings in recent weeks.
There is a healthy dose of experience and youth in this Tiwi side, with the likes of Marlion Pickett and Braedon McLean set to play their first game on the islands in Tiwi colours.
Meanwhile, Palmerston know they need to turn things around playing their fourth game in a row against a top five team, with the previous three all putting 100+ points on them.
There have been some bright spots for the Magpies though as they rebuild, particularly as some of their younger players turn out strong performances.
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 Tiwi Bombers v Palmerston Magpies Round 9
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