The last round of the 2024/25 TIO NTFL season begins with Nightcliff hosting Palmerston tonight at Darwin Mazda Oval.
The Tigers will enter as comprehensive favourites against a team just looking to finish their season on a high. Ex-AFL player Brandan Parfitt and former Collingwood VFL captain Lachlan Tardrew both found a stack of the football in wet conditions during their team’s big win against a depleted Darwin Buffaloes last weekend. The Tigers’ playing list is as strong as any team’s in the competition and it will be about assembling the right squad and building team cohesiveness as we approach the finals.
PINT have a massive opportunity to close out their season with a big win against Wanderers tomorrow afternoon. It has been a disappointing season for the Greenants, but they will enter as strong favourites against the struggling Eagles. It was a gallant performance against the Tiwi Bombers last week but they will be disappointed with their drop off in the last five minutes. Cameron Wilson, Alex McCarthy and Riley Mayne all performed admirably in last weekend’s 11-point loss.
The Eagles made strides forward pre-Christmas and will be looking for big performances from their local, younger players to end the season on a positive note.
Waratah will face Darwin Buffaloes at Gardens Oval tomorrow afternoon. Rick Nolan’s men overcame a slow start to win comfortably against Palmerston last weekend.
Interstate recruits Lachlan Wilson and Joel Hillis both produced big games in what was a confidence-boosting win. The Warriors will again enter as heavy favourites on their home deck against the eighth-placed Buffaloes.
Darwin have had a season to forget but have named a reasonably strong team for tomorrow’s clash. Coach Phillip Wills will hope his team can produce a competitive showing to give his players and the club’s supporters something to build on this off-season.
The match of the round is a mouth-watering contest between ladder leaders’ Southern Districts and reigning premiers St Mary’s at Norbuilt Oval. While the Crocs will enter as slight favourites, the green machine are fresh off a bye and have plenty to play for on the eve of the finals.
St Mary’s have been Districts’ kryptonite in recent seasons having dealt them their only loss so far this season and going three-from-three in their match’s last season. They have enough potency to match their opponents in the midfield battle, however, with the dominance of Crocs big-man Wyatt Ryan, they face a significant disadvantage in the ruck battle. Kieren Parnell is enjoying a terrific season, and he will have his hands full trying to curb the influence of Districts playmaker Steven Motlop.
The Crocs were dominant last week, easily accounting for Wanderers to the tune of 131 points. They recorded a competition-high 447 team disposals, further highlighting the team’s impressive playing depth.
Expect this game to go down to the wire.