Buffalo boys are truly the real deal

THE Cameron Stokescoached Darwin Buffaloes are indeed the real thing after their 39-point demolition of St Mary’s in the NTFL Round 6 match at TIO Stadium last night.

The Buffaloes should have had a stranglehold on the game at quarter-time, such was their dominance against a lethargic St Mary’s.

The double-blue jumpers had 30 shots at goal to 11 in their 12.18 (90) to 8.3 (51) win that regained their status as one of the premiership’s favourite teams.

Last season’s grand finalists looked like a side struggling for confidence rather than one pushing for the top three.

But the Buffaloes were very good.

Their leg speed, kicking to position and ability to hunt in numbers decimated their opponents.

And this was on a night when most experts thought the bigger bodies of Saints would prevail.

The Buffaloes also dominated out of the middle.

Chris Atkinson, Jarrod Stokes, Michael Coombes and Nick Lowden were among several players in double-blue to win the football.

Up forward Ishmael Palmer, Brodie Foster and Adam Hodor gave their teammates plenty of targets to aim at as they led the Saints defence a merry dance.

Recruits Darcy Matricardi and Max Kennedy did some nice things.

And defenders Kevin Maroney and Isaac Seden-Kurnoth found the football and did a lot with it when looking for teammates further down the ground.

St Mary’s will want to forget the loss in a hurry.

It will now look to prepare for next weekend’s Round 7 clash with a dangerous Waratah side at league headquarters.

The Saints had their big-efforts players despite the big loss.

Tylah Saunders at centre half-back restricted livewire Buffalo forward Brodie Foster to two goals.

And Jack Landt booted three goals in the last quarter to add some respectability to the scoreboard.

BUFFALOES 1.6 7.11 10.16 12.18 (90)

ST MARY’S 1.2 2.3 3.3 8.3 (51)

GOALS

Buffaloes:

I Palmer 3 J Stokes 2 D Matricardi 2 A Hodor 2 B Foster 2 J Collinson

St Mary’s:

J Landt 3 J Paine 2 B Grenfell C Furphy J Goddard BEST

Buffaloes:

J Stokes L McKenzie J Collinson C Atkinson K Maroney St Mary’s:

T Saunders D Landt B Grenfell J Landt S Edwards