ANOTHER BITE OF THE CHERRY
Crocodiles qualify for consecutive grand finals with big win v Tiwi
SOUTHERN Districts got an opportunity to defend their NTFL crown last night when they destroyed a weary Tiwi Bombers side by 120 0 points in the preliminary final.
The Crocodiles led from the first bounce and increased d their lead in every quarter, in- cluding a 11-goal last term, to o record a 25.10 (160) to 5.10 (40) win.
Districts kicked the first goal through an around-thecorner snap by Jesse Koopman and followed up a minute later with a mark and goal from Jared Brennan.
That put the Tiwis on the back foot early and when Ross Tungatalum and Dion Munkara missed gettable shots it was time to make some adjustments.
Shane Thorne’s dancing feet produced a third goal for Districts before Pio Puautjimi brought some smiles to the Tiwi coaches’ bench when he ran into space and goaled from a Simon Munkara pass.
Some of the match-ups paid dividends early, Steven Stewart on prolific Tiwi ball-winner Ashton Hams kept the former West Coast Eagle to single-figure stats and Josiah Farrer on Tungatalum had the potential to be a classic contest.
Ed Barlow’s long goal for Districts and Paddy Heenan’s quick reply for the Bombers when he pounced on a loose ball and goaled meant there was only 10 points between the two sides at the first change.
But two goals in the first four minutes of the second term when Koopman snapped over his shoulder again and Clinton Gallio goaled from a free kick, shot Districts out to a 22-point lead.
Tungatalum’s running leftfoot shot for a goal got the proTiwi crowd on its feet, but Adam Tipungwuti’s miss on the run a minute later was not what the coaching staff ordered.
Two goals by the clever Michael Mummery got Districts to a 32-point lead at the main break as their hunt-down tactics and numbers at the ball policy started to make inroads.
Rory O’Brien’s “Stevie J’’ goal six minutes into the third quarter told the story of Districts’ night as the Crocodiles consumed the pacy Tiwis.