NTFL 2024-25 live stream: Watch Tiwi Bombers vs Nightcliff Tigers in Round 5
Tiwi Bombers continued their impressive start to the season, overcoming a venue change, weather delay and gallant Nightcliff — with its captain setting the tone early. Watch the REPLAY here.
It was a drama-filled clash in the match of the round as the Tiwi Bombers did just enough to fend off the Nightcliff Tigers in a lightning storm affected clash.
A first quarter hat-trick by Bombers captain Brendan Kantilla set the tone for his men as they played with a level of maturity despite being down their glue-man Sam Darley.
Nightcliff fought back hard, but the red and black side did what they needed to secure a gallant 12.6 (78) to 10.6 (66) win in trying circumstances.
Marlion Pickett imposed himself almost immediately setting up Malachi Walley, before goaling himself to give the side the early lead.
Then it became the Brendan Kantilla show as he piled on the early goals for the Bombers in a game he would ultimately finish with six.
A messy period of play followed the restart, but lack of concentration from Tiwi and two goals off youngster Hau-Tze Rock allowed Nightcliff to claw back into the contest.
A bad high shot from Pickett on Jonathan Lanyon allowed Tristian Singh-Lippo to score a major to take the Tigers within eight ahead of half time.
A dark cloud formed in the background as the third quarter got underway, but the turf remained lit up sunshine lit the field.
Unlike the first half, the two sides were incapable of hitting a major, just one each, until the match was delayed for more than 25 minutes because of a lightning delay.
Young Tiger, and back in the fold after his run for the under-18s last round, Rock was the sole highlight of the period, playing beyond his years with brave tackles and quick thinking to boot.
After the delay the players returned for the remaining minute in the third, only to be called off after half a dozen kicks.
Then it was back for an entertaining final quarter, where Nightcliff again narrowed the deficit to just six with seven minutes to play.
The Tiwi men took the game back to a two score lead and dug in their boots till the final hooter in one of their most mature and promising wins of the last few seasons.
One of the many workhorses in the back and new Bomber Braedon McLean said the win was up there with the greatest he’s ever been a part of.
“That was one of the best wins I’ve ever been a part of and it really threw everything at us,” he said.
“We had a great start and got to an early lead but we were honestly bad in the second, giving away the ball too often and cheaply that allowed Nightliff to get some points back.
“We both had a weird third quarter that was heavy efforts off the ball and a lot of scrappy and hard plays, only to be stopped by lightning with not much to go.
“So we all thought the game was maybe going to be called off but we just had to sit there and wait, which is really hard when all you want to do is get back out there.
“But to come away with the win after so much hard work and things out of our control is great for us, to have that belief to work for each other and be mature, we can challenge any team.”
Score
Bombers: 6.3 8.5 9.6 12.6 (78)
Tigers: 2.1 7.3 8.4 10.6 (66)
Goals
Bombers: Brendan Kantilla 6, William Munkara 2, Malachi Walley 2, Marlion Pickett, John Tipiloura
Tigers: Zackary Derksen 2, Haue-Tze Rock 2, Tristan Singh-Lippo 2, Boyd Bailey, Zac Buechner, Petros Politis, Lewis Rinaldi
Best
Bombers: Karlson Kantilla, Brendan Kantilla, Ashton Hams, Scott Bedford, Braedon McLean
Tigers: Marly Mcgregor, Jonathan Lanyon, Boyd Bailey, Sean Hunter, Hau-Tze Rock
PREVIEW
The Bombers might not be on home soil, but it will do little to dent the momentum and confidence of the resurgent Tiwi side.
The Bombers will aim to add Nightcliff Tigers to the list of latest scalps when the pair clash at Gardens Oval on Saturday.
The NT News and KommunityTV will stream every moment from 4pm on Saturday.
The Bombers have been the NTFL’s great improvers of season 2024-25 so far, and would have expected a resounding homecoming on the Islands this weekend.
However travel complications for visiting teams put paid to the idea, with the game moved to the mainland to be played at Gardens Oval.
It shouldn’t change the brand of footy the Bombers have been playing, with Marlion Pickett, Sam Darley and Michael Thompson spearheading a brilliant start to the season.
The Tigers will pose a big threat to the Bombers as they make a big return from a week off the fields on the bye.
Nightcliff have only dropped one game this season, despite facing some accuracy issues in front of goal early in the season.
Brodie Filo has again been a standout setting up attacking motions from the midfield, while Brett Kennedy has emerged as their go to goal scorer.
The Tigers’ systems have been strong this season, and will want to click again against the threat the Bombers bring.
Watch the full replay of the match above.
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.
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Originally published as NTFL 2024-25 live stream: Watch Tiwi Bombers vs Nightcliff Tigers in Round 5
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