Buffaloes again rise to occasion
IT’S been a common theme before finals this NTFL season — once again the Darwin Buffaloes had everything to play for, and once again they delivered.
The double-blues’ keenness to win the contests in tough, slippery conditions was the difference in their 5.12 (42) to 4.7 (31) win against Nightcliff at PSC BM Oval yesterday.
Last week, they put Wanderers to the sword on the evening of Tai Martin-Page’s fundraiser, the club rallying around its currently paralysed player.
Yesterday was just as big an occasion for the club — it was playing for third spot in the finals, with a double chance that comes with that.
And the coveted Tye-Bonson Shield.
“It’s the first time we’ve won here in eight years at Nightcliff. We’re starting to break some hoodoos,” Buffaloes coach Matt Campbell said.
Darwin breaking its away drought against the Tigers can only assist the team psychologically, both teams to meet again in the finals next week.
“It’s good to break the duck and hold the shield for once,” Campbell said.
The Buffaloes’ back six — led by Bradley Stokes — has been firing in recent weeks, and the Tigers could boot only four goals.
“Nick O’Neill was good, Joe Anderson gives us his all, Chris Williams through the midfield, Josh Saveka down back, Brad- ley Stokes’ job on Troy Coates — hands down he was our best on ground today,” Campbell said.
“We’ll be mindful of playing the same back six next week.”
The game wasn’t over until late in the final quarter when Buffaloes full forward Darren Shillabeer showed great footwork to swing around and square the ball to Jarrod Stokes, who picked out Steven Anderson, taking a brilliant hanging mark before kicking straight. That gave the Buffs an 18-point lead.
And Darwin’s strong early start, taking a 19-point lead into quarter-time, was crucial.
“Early they were more switched on, and we had to work our way back into the game,” Tigers playing assistant coach Cameron Ilett — again one of his team’s best — said. “They adjusted to the conditions quicker.”