Crocs rally to down Bombers

SOUTHERN Districts cemented their position as outright NTFL premiership favourites with a courageous come-from-behind win over Tiwi Bombers yesterday.

In front of a parochial and vocal home crowd at Tiwi Oval, the visitors trailed for the majority of the match before a late surge helped them power home by 12 points.

Districts booted six goals to two in the final quarter to seal the win, led by versatile utility Sam Smith, who was outstanding at both ends of the ground.

Centre-half-back Keegan Dingo was exceptional in defence for the Crocs, reading the play expertly and repelling many attacks from the home side.

Districts’ engine room found another gear in the final term to change the momentum of the match, with Rory O’Brien and Nikolaus Rokahr finding plenty of the footy and damaging the opposition with every possession.

Star Crocs forward Will Farrer finished with only three majors but passed several more off and enjoyed a dingdong battle with Tiwi full back Jason Puruntatameri, while fellow forward Leroy Jetta kicked the final two goals of the game to seal the deal for the visitors.

The first half was an arm wrestle, with Districts taking a one-point lead into the first break and the Bombers leading at half-time by five points.

Tiwi started the third term brightly but just as the Bombers looked to be pulling away Districts hit back hard.

Adam Tipungwuti and Ross Tungatalum were the home side’s most damaging players. TIWI BOMBERS V STHN DISTRICTS 3.3 8.5 14.7 16.9 3.5 7.6 12.6 18.9 GOALS