TIWI UPSETS PREMIERS
A ROSS Tungatalum masterclass helped Tiwi pull off a staggering 22.10 (142) to 11.11 (77) upset win over St Mary’s at TIO Stadium yesterday.
The classy veteran booted three goals on a memorable afternoon for the Bombers — their first win over the reigning premiers since 2012.
“I can’t remember the last time Tiwi Bombers beat St Mary’s by 10 goals, if ever. So I’m very happy with that,” Bombers coach Brenton Toy said.
“They were so happy at the end of the game — they looked around and it was all Tiwi people.
“There were no fly-ins, recruits, nothing.”
When Tungatalum bent in a brilliant goal from 40m out early in the fourth term to give his side a 49-point lead, it was as good as over for the Saints.
That would have been tough to take for the Darwin outfit given the way it started the match, taking a comfortable 23-point lead into the first break.
“We haven’t been beaten like that for a long time. They used the footy well and we just couldn’t get our hands on it, especially in the third quarter,” Saints coach Rick Nolan said.
“We’ve just got to start training harder.”
The Green Machine beat the Bombers at their own game in the first term, with their run and spread leading to goals to Shaun Edwards, Henry Labastida, Anthony Hale, Zach Robinson and Jack Musgrove.
With regular ruckman Ryan Smith injured, Raph Clarke stepped up and won plenty of hard stoppage ball.
Nick Yarran was never far from the play and his fast hands set up Hale’s goal. But the Bombers played excellent football in the second term to go in level at halftime.
They surprised the Saints with three quick goals early in the second quarter, all of them beauties. Dion Munkara went on a blistering long run before finding Simon Munkara (five goals) in a good position, then a big run from Tungatalum found Austin Wonaeamirri (five goals), who made no mistake.
Another run from Tungatalum after crumbing off the ground led to a goal to Albert Tipungwuti.
Tungatalum’s excellent second quarter continued with a 48m goal which reduced Saints’ lead to one point.
Saints wrestled their way back through Edwards at full forward, who booted two goals later in the term, his second after a strong mark.
But Tiwi stunned their opponents with an eight goals to one third quarter, with more sensational majors, while Saints suddenly looked slow.
The Green Machine also desperately missed the presence of strong-marking, tall full forward Peter MacFarlane.
Youngster Jeffrey Simon started the third-quarter run for Tiwi, a pinpoint long kick leading to a Patrick Heenan mark and goal, before Jack Munkara sold some candy and kicked truly off his left foot.
There were uncharacteristic signs of Saints ill-discipline as the Tiwi juggernaut rolled on, with Edwards walking through the protected area and Wonaeamirri majoring from the free kick.