Victory salutes legend

DARWIN Buffaloes farewelled popular clubman Tommy Lawler in style last night when they beat a courageous but outclassed St Mary’s by 55 points at Marrara.

The Buffaloes extended their lead at every change before grabbing a temporary hold on top of the Premier League ladder with their 15.14 (104) to 7.7 (49) win.

Lawler, a premiership player and genuine Buffalo legend, lost his long battle with cancer yesterday.

Better news for the Buffaloes was the form of Adam Sambono in a midfield role, four goals from bustling spearhead Darren Shillabeer and the unveiling of a new star in Santa Teresa product Ishmael Palmer.

First gamer Thomas Clarke entered the record books by goaling with his first kick in league football and young gun Malcolm Rosas showed the big crowd at TIO Stadium why he is so highly rated at national level.

Three Buffalo goals in the first seven minutes of the second quarter blew the game open, their 31-point lead putting the game out of the young Saints’ reach. A clever snap by playing coach Matt Campbell rolled through, Thomas Clarke goaled from his second kick in league football and a busy Ishmael Palmer kicked truly from 45m.

This was a Buffalo side come out to play as they ran hard, tackled harder, displayed superb foot and marking skills and performed one of the basic skills of Australian football by getting numbers around the ball.

St Mary’s kicked the first goals of the third quarter after a juggling mark by the hardworking Jordan Cullen, before goals from Buffaloes Shillabeer and Jackson Clark when he ran on to a loose ball to kick his side’s 10th goal restored normal service.

A heavy clash between Saint Matt Jeffery and Buffalo 100-gamer Cameron Stokes midway through the third term had fans and players from both sides concerned.

But fears of a serious injury were dispelled when Jeffery courageously found his feet after being attended to for six minutes.