Buffaloes’ late charge seals thriller over Tahs
Ryan and his mates leapfrog Waratah to sit fifth in NTFL
BEST 4.5 7.6 8.7 9.9 1.1 3.5 6.8 9.12 GOALS UMPIRES IT was talked up as the game of the NTFL season and even in the wet, it did not let the fans down.
The Darwin Buffaloes pulled off a miraculous comeback to beat Waratah 9.12 (66) to 9.9 (63) in a thriller at TIO Stadium.
With both teams playing for their season, the Buffaloes looked gone at halftime, trailing by 25 points, which would have felt like a lot more in the difficult conditions.
Waratah, renowned for their grit and fight, came ready to play from the very first minute after a goal to Dustin Gordon.
The Buffs, meanwhile, looked flat in such a highstakes game.
Waratah kicked four goals to one to hold a significant 22point lead at the first break.
Errol McConnell was outstanding for Waratah, showing plenty of endeavour and constantly popping up to win hard contested ball, particularly in the first quarter.
Imposing Buffaloes forward Darren Shillabeer even made a rare fumble when in front of an unmarked goal in the first quarter, while Waratah’s Justin Beugelaar, McConnell, Godden and Ankers were dominant.
Lachlan Collihole, who made his return for the redand-whites yesterday, then impressed in the second quarter, coming up with some excellent overhead marks in the wet and kicking a goal for his team to take a significant lead into the main break.
It just seemed like it wasn’t Darwin’s day.
But out of nowhere, the Buffs stormed back in the third quarter, much to the delight of their vocal fans.
Ex-AFL star Matt Campbell had a hand in three quick goals to see his team trail by just 11 points at the final break, the siren welcomed by the Tahs players.
Big ruckman Ryan O’Sullivan then took charge for the Buffs in the final term, highlighted by a booming goal from 45m out to set up a thrilling finish.
Darwin finally hit the front deep into the final term through a goal to Joseph Collinson, but Tahs hit back with a major to Jason Cooke for his team to lead by three.
The game looked over but in the dying seconds, the Buffaloes won a 50m free kick due to a Tahs player kicking in danger, and Elijah Ware made no mistake from right in front.
That sent the vocal Buffaloes fans wild.
Darwin’s win saw them overtake Waratah into fifth place with a two competitionpoint lead going into the final round.
The Buffs fans cheered so loudly because Darwin (against Nightcliff) and Waratah (v St Mary’s) are not expected to win their final-round games, meaning their team is now likely to play in the finals.