NTFL 2024/25 Season

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Season 2024/2025
And just like that, we are only a month and a bit away from the start of a new NTFL season so I've just made this in prep. Happy to chuck results in here again and have a discussion if anyone is keen to join; helps me feel a bit closer to home talking NT Footy. If you're a fan of NT Footy as well, I strongly encourage you to follow NT Football with Jackson Clark on Facebook - that fella is on absolute god tier when it comes to NTFL media (and no I don't know him personally).

Full Fixture can be found here via PlayHQ - Season 2024/25 Fixture

Off season news:
  • Darwin Buffaloes have moved out to Palmerston to raid the dazzling talent pool that Palmerston Magpies have had access to guiding us to multiple wooden spoons over the years. How their move in will impact the club going forward will be interesting to see; but looks like Buffs are still splitting their home games between Cazalys Arena and TIO Stadium to keep the old supporters on board.
  • The Tiwi Bombers have announced they have signed Marlion Pickett fresh from his retirement from Richmond. Should be a cracking signing.

Not too much else happening this early, but a lot of the signings get announced during September as we build towards Round 1. Looking forward to this season as a Palmerston supporter - recently we've been dragged through the coals quite a bit and had rotten luck. A raft of off-field changes headlined by Mark Tyrrell taking over as coach, a couple of new/returning players (eg. Shaun Wilson, Josh Koster) with I'm sure lots more to be announced make the future look a bit brighter for us. Fingers crossed we can become relevant after a long time in the wilderness.
 
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Round 1/ "Marrara Gather Round" begins on 4th of October, the week after the AFL finishes with a massive grand final replay between Saints and Nightcliff. All the fixtures for Round 1 are admittedly fantastic match ups to start the year, matching with teams around the same level as last season.
 
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Season 2024/2025
And just like that, we are only a month and a bit away from the start of a new NTFL season so I've just made this in prep. Happy to chuck results in here again and have a discussion if anyone is keen to join; helps me feel a bit closer to home talking NT Footy. If you're a fan of NT Footy as well, I strongly encourage you to follow NT Football with Jackson Clark on Facebook - that fella is on absolute god tier when it comes to NTFL media (and no I don't know him personally).

Full Fixture can be found here via PlayHQ - Season 2024/25 Fixture

Off season news:
  • Darwin Buffaloes have moved out to Palmerston to raid the dazzling talent pool that Palmerston Magpies have had access to guiding us to multiple wooden spoons over the years. How their move in will impact the club going forward will be interesting to see; but looks like Buffs are still splitting their home games between Cazalys Arena and TIO Stadium to keep the old supporters on board.
  • The Tiwi Bombers have announced they have signed Marlion Pickett fresh from his retirement from Richmond. Should be a cracking signing.

Not too much else happening this early, but a lot of the signings get announced during September as we build towards Round 1. Looking forward to this season as a Palmerston supporter - recently we've been dragged through the coals quite a bit and had rotten luck. A raft of off-field changes headlined by Mark Tyrrell taking over as coach, a couple of new/returning players (eg. Shaun Wilson, Josh Koster) with I'm sure lots more to be announced make the future look a bit brighter for us. Fingers crossed we can become relevant after a long time in the wilderness.

Hey mate,

Got an early season predictor,

I'd love to see a ranked list from best to worst, even if your totally wrong, I'd love to get a gauge of the "favourites" before the season starts.
 

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Hey mate,

Got an early season predictor,

I'd love to see a ranked list from best to worst, even if your totally wrong, I'd love to get a gauge of the "favourites" before the season starts.
Hey mate. I reckon it'll be sort of like the below. Nightcliff and Saints are always so strong and I don't see them budging from the top 2. If Tiwi can keep up the competitive streak from last year, I think they'll move up the ladder and could finish top 4. If not, I reckon they drop to 7th and everyone else moves up one. Buffs have just had a change of home and last minute coach change, so I don't see them moving up too much. Palmerston and Wanderers are quite hard to read - haven't heard much about Wanderers and I think Palmy need a year to figure themselves out with the new coach before they start climbing. It's too shallow a talent pool for instant change, especially now that Darwin are now in Palmerston and competing for players.

1. Nightcliff
2. St Mary's
3. Southern Districts
4. Tiwi Bombers
5. Waratah
6. Darwin Buffaloes
7. PINT
8. Wanderers
9. Palmerston
 
Interesting, I thought buffs coach wouldn't last the season as it turns out he didn't even make the season, Wanderers captain of 6 years has left them to go to Tiwi which tells you how eagles are going apparently districts and Nightcliff have opened the cheque book more than usual
 
ROUND 1

So the season kicked off on the weekend with no major surprise results in the scope of things. Saints and Nightcliff was always going to be a 50/50, with Saints getting over them basically 1-2 goals up all day. Scrappy contest to be the "premier" game but Saints will take it. Dylan Landt dominant again with 34 touches, Jacob Long with 27 touches and a whopping 91% kicking efficiency.
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Tiwi looked GOOD against Wanderers, but to be fair, Wanderers are in the abyss like Palmy right now and are way too hard to tell where they're at. Losing Mclean to Tiwi on the eve of the season hurts. Tiwi with a few decent recruits getting the job done - they flogged Ashton Hams (ex WCE) from Palmy who ended up with 18 touches, Wanderers legend/skipper Braeden Mclean also had 18 touches, Marlion Pickett from Richmond also had 14 touches. Hopefully we see Tiwi fire this season and upset the top 4 a bit. Despite the loss, Wanderers were served well by Jaxon East who had 41 touches
~~
PINT looked strong in the twilight game, with Buggs never really looking close. I imagine PINT will shock a few of the big teams this year and could go anywhere; will be interesting to see what recruits they bring out this season. Lochie O'Brien (ex Carlton player) was their best on the day with 32 touches (27 kicks is a solid effort). Buffaloes well served by Tom Simpson and Jackson Clark but couldn't get the job done. Will be interesting to see how the Buffs trek this year - they always seem to be around the mark.
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Final game of the weekend saw Districts outclass Waratah quite convincingly. Game looked like it would be close until 3QT, with Districts kicking 4 goals to 0 in the last to run away 36 point victors. Jarrod Brander kicked a massive 6 goals, will be very hard to beat for leading goal scorer this year. Seeing the names on the Districts lineup is quite scary - Staunton, Jalen Clarke, Brandon Rusca, Michael Bowden, Josiah Farrer, Jed Anderson, Matt Dennis, Matt Sexton, Will Farrer and Steven Motlop to name a few. This is a team I really think could go far, and I'm sure they'll have a lot more recruits pop up through the year. Bad night for the Tahs, but they'll get to bounce back against Palmy next Saturday.

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Sorry Palmomagpie: new season, new coach, new hopes and dreams but not starting off too good
Yeah absolutely shocking - checked the quarter time score and we were up by 10 points. Was thinking "wow we're off to a good start". All downhill from there. Likely to be another miserable year for us, probably winless, and Wanderers as well. We have a lot of players on PP so we've got recruits. Hopefully over the course of the year we can build as a group and improve as that was heart breaking
 
ROUND 2

Round 2 out of the way and again, no massive shocks. Districts continued on from last weeks win with a solid 84 point win against a struggling Wanderers. Jed Anderson had a match for the ages, with 4 goals and 33 touches. Steve Motlop had 34 and kicked a goal too. For Wanderers, they were served well again by Jaxon East who had 38 disposals, but not really any other positives to take from that. They were 33 down at quarter time and never looked likely to bounce back.
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In another case of same old same old, Palmerston started their year with another walloping at the hands of the Waratahs, eager to bounce back after losing last week. Palmy led by 10 points at quarter time, before letting in 7.1 to 0.2 in the 2nd quarter. After that it just got ugly, with Tahs kicking 6.4 in the 3rd, then 9.2 in the last to run away with the match. Brodie Carroll slammed in 6 goals off 19 touches, with skipper Scott Carlin kicking 2 and getting 33 touches. A new look Palmy stood no hope, but were well served by Essendon VFL footballer Cameron Nyko, new skipper Shaun Wilson, and junior champion Ryan Warfe. How we respond over the next few weeks will be a huge signal of where we're headed - don't think we (or the NTFL) can accept another winless season. Buffs this Friday night in the "Battle for Palmerston" would be a nice way to make a statement.
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However, Darwin had a solid outing against Nightcliff, managing to only go down by 15 points at Nightcliff Oval. The match was a bit of a see-saw and remained close all day, which is a credit to the Buffs after last week's serving. Debutant Lachlan East was their best on, and looks to be a good pickup. Tom Simpson had 30 touches, and Will Irwin kicked 3 goals. However, the night belonged to Nightcliff. Inaccurate kicking isn't helping them at all, kicking 15.31 so far this season. Ben Vile was their best for the night. SA Champion Brett Kennedy is a bit stiff kicking 5 goals and not making the best players list. Big game for them next week up against Waratah at Nightcliff Oval again - should be a cracking contest (tippings Tahs to get it done unless Nightcliff can kick straight).
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The final match, and probably closest to a "surprise" was Tiwi absolutely thumping PINT. Don't see PINT get pushed around like that much at all, but Tiwi were on top all day and ensured their revival isn't going to be short lived yet. Richmond premiership player Marlion Pickett was everywhere and named best on, getting 20 touches and winning the hitouts. Ex-Palmy player Ashton Hams continues his dominance in the NTFL with another 30 disposal game, with Sam Darley (28) and Braedon Mclean (25) close behind. Tiwi are looking good and i'm excited to see how far they go. PINT it just wasn't their night, and now they need to bounce back this weekend against St Mary's at TIO Oval 2 (not sure if thats a typo or not).

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ROUND 3

A big round with no games at TIO Stadium 1 (not sure what's happening there). Tiwi and Southern Districts had the round opening Friday nighter at Gardens Oval. Tiwi lost their first game of the year, against a Districts side that is stacked and will probably go all the way this year. To their credit, they stuck close all night and put up a huge fight. 3 goals to Karlson Kantilla, and 28 touches for Sam Darley were the standouts. For Districts, well the star power stood out. Jed Anderson with 2 goals and 22 touches, Beau Schwarze with 20 disposals, Steve Motlop also got a few. No big bags kicked - Tiwi were probably lucky Brander wasnt out there. Both teams play at DXC Arena next week against Buffs and PINT so should see them both pick up some points.
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Well, call the season off now. Palmerston are 6th. That's right - 6th on the ladder. After 20 winless months, we've gone out and thrashed our new neighbours, Darwin by 57 points. Even more impressive is that we got 33 scoring shots - convert more of those and it would have been amazing. An incredible performance that we now need to backup next week against Wanderers to prove we are getting somewhere. We were well led by returning ex Tigers/Spartans player Thomas Antulov who grabbed 4 goals, and debutant EFL and ex VFL player Nayef Hamed grabbed a round leading 35 disposals. Fingers crossed we can capitalise on this. Buffs legend Jarred Stokes had 32 disposals himself, as did ex Maggies Baxter Mensch and Phillip Wills. Buffs have a tricky game against Tiwi next week which should be a cracker.
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Saturday's day fixture saw PINT host St Mary's at TIO 2 (crazy to see that being used for PL games but glad it's a decent ground now - when I played thats where the Div2 and kids were thrown). PINT never looked in it, scoring only 1 behind in the first quarter to eventually get walloped by 62 points. Jackson Calder kicked 5 for St Mary's along with 21 touches; Dylan Landt again topping the disposals with 34. For PINT they just need to luck their wounds quickly and hope for a decent result against Districts at home next week.
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The final match of the round and the blockbuster saw Nightcliff break the Tahs hearts and win by 29 points. Tahs led by 6 points at 3QT, but the home crowd got behind Nightcliff and saw them whack in 6 goals 1 behind to just 2 behinds from the Tahs. A fairly even game stat wise for Nightcliff, topped with Filo (27), Bailey (25) and Politis (22). Nightcliff announced midweek too they had signed ex Hawk Fergus Greene, so should see him come in soon and make a huge impact up forward after their bye next week. Tahs had the ever reliable Carlin get 33 touches, with the rest of the team fairly even. Things don't get any easier next week for the Tahs though, with a Friday home game against St Mary's ahead of them.

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Think an aflw indigenous round game is being played at Tio this weekend, call me a dreamer but palmy could hang onto sixth position for a while which would be a great effort but won't be easy. There are some gun VFL players up here at the moment but form players are Jed Anderson Motlop and Pickett, can't beat that AFL experience
 
ROUND 4

A great round of footy overall (bar Palmy) with a few shock results. The opening match was Waratah vs St Mary's, a clash between two heavyweights under Friday night lights at Gardens Oval. Tahs lead all night and snagged a tight 11 point win, ensuring only 1 team so far remains undefeated. Tahs were well served by BOG Scott Carlin, Brodie Carroll (3 goals) and newbie Liam O'Dea. Saints a bit shaky returning from the bye, but still whipped up a competitive clash. They bounce back next week against Wanderers at TIO Stadium, whereas Tahs have the bye.
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Bloody Palmy. After winning our first game in forever, we come against arguably the 2nd worst team in the comp... and lose. Like other weeks, we started well, leading at quarter time, before letting Wanderers slam in 6 goals to 2 in the 2nd quarter and we just never bounced back from that. Well served again by standin captain and club gun Ryan Warfe. Ex-Bomber Nick Hind on debut had 20 touches but was goaless, with Nyeff Hamad adding another 28 + a goal to his tally and Essendon VFL footballer Cameron Nyko getting 32 touches. However, the points went to the Wanderers, who grabbed their first win of the year after a pretty rocky preseason. 5 Goals and 18 disposals to recruit Jak Trewin got us in the end, with WA guns Jaxon East grabbing a massive 36 touches and Cody Leggett 29 and a goal. A tough match against St Mary's awaits the muk muks next week, whereas Palmy play the twilight match against an up and down PINT.
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Tiwi's impressive 2024 continued on Saturday with a well fought 24 point victory against the Buffaloes at DXC Arena. Braedan Mclean showed his value again with 23 touches, Marlion Pickett also gathering 23 and 2 hitouts despite his size. Malachai Walley, playing only his 2nd premier league game, kicked 3. In similar fashion to Palmerston, Darwin led by 20 points at quarter time and were looking good, until a 6 goal to 1 second quarter derailed their day and they never looked back. Joey Collinson wound back the clock and was Buffs best on with 3 goals, with Jarrod Stokes kicking 2 and getting 23 touches. Despite being firmly on the bottom, the Buffaloes aren't looking all too bad and I think they'll find their way soon. Just not likely to be next week, with a Sunday afternoon home game against Districts at Cazalys Arena to look forward to.
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The final game of the round was a lot closer than I really thought, with Southern Districts sneaking over PINT by 10 points at DXC Arena. Despite leading all day, including by 38 at half time, PINT slogged back slowly over the 2nd half and almost got there - there was only 4 points in it when Will Farrer kicked the sealer with 2 minutes remaining. Will Sexton and Steve Motlop found plenty of the ball for Districts who continued their 2024 undefeated start, whereas PINT skipper Thomas Schott topped their disposals. A great game, a tight result, and both teams will be better off for it.

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Was a very good round for the health of the league's eveness, if saints and districts had come out and had big wins you would be forgiven for thinking it is a two horse race, pints did very well but still didn't get the 4 points and only have the one win which people who were against the coaching change would be happy about. Unfortunately tiwi bombers next 2 home games have been cancelled so will have to make the trip over and have lost the home game advantage
 
ROUND 5

Talk about being healthy for the leagues evenness, this weekend saw a huge shock with the Tiwi Bombers snagging a shock 12 point victory over Nightcliff in the opening fixture at Gardens Oval. 6 goals to NTFL journeyman Brendan Kantilla provided a massive difference for Tiwi, with Karlson Kantilla and Kim Kantilla also featuring in the best players as well. The shock win has resulted in Tiwi sitting comfortably in 2nd place, with Nightcliff sitting 2-2 and down in 5th. Trailing all day, Nightcliff managed to get it back within a goal with 7 minutes to go, before an instant (9 seconds later) goal to Malachi Walley dashed their hopes with 6.51 left on the clock. Nightcliff were well served by club legend Marly Mcgregor and recruit Sean Hunter. I'm sure in standard Nightcliff fashion though, a stack of jobs and apartments will appear in Nightcliff/Rapid Creek and they'll stack up on players :p
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PINT bounced back for their 2nd win of the year, knocking Palmerston in a wet slog at TIO Stadium by 45 points. It was their game all day, with Palmy only on 1.6 at half time and never looking a genuine threat. Watched a bit of the game replay and it was absolutely bucketing down so not surprises it was so scrappy. PINT captain Thomas Schott was best on, with Andrew Jones kicking 3. For Palmy, Tristen Waack, Nyko and Warfe were solid, with ex Bomber Nicholas Hind showing his calss and Shaun Wilson making the best in his return. Overall not too bad a performance by us, but a trip to Fred's Pass against a terrifying Southern Districts next week will be huge for us.
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The Saturday night game at TIO saw Saints get a cruisy 54 point win against Wanderers. No major shocks, it appears to have gone exactly how we all expected. Competitive start, but the class and strength of the Saints unit overran the Eagles. For Wanderers, Jak Trewin kicked 2 to bump his tally for the year to 11, but overall seemed a miserable night for the Muk Muks. For Saints, Calder smacked in another bag , with 6 to his name. Jack Landt kicked 2, with Kieran Parnell their best for the night. You can never rule St Mary's out as they're always just so strong. A huge match for them next week against Tiwi which could go either way.
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Darwin's first official home game at Cazalys Arena did not go to plan in the slightest, getting thumped by 151 points by Southern Districts. A final tally of 2.5 for the Buffs, with their second goal coming in the 10th minute of the last term. They currently sit as the only winless team, with a shocking % as well. Thankfully they have the bye next week to recuperate. For Districts, both Will Farrer and Stanley Waistcoat kicked 6, with Victorian recruit Connor Giddings their best player. At this stage, it's hard to see who stops Southern Districts steamrolling the competition.. They have their first bye in Round 7 which will be a bit of relief for the comp, but they are so strong it's not funny.

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NTFL 2024/25 Season

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