Buffaloes stun Crocodiles
DARWIN has recorded its second win of the season after thrashing Southern Districts in the late game at TIO Stadium.
The Buffaloes were met by the sound of a jubilant crowd after winning the match 17.10 (112) to 8.5 (53).
The heavens opened shortly after the start of the match, which meant most of the first half was played in heavy rain.
The young Buffaloes side capitalised on the wet conditions and controlled most of the play in the first quarter.
The weather did not restrict either side’s ability to score and at quarter time Buffaloes led five goals to three.
Crocs coach Shannon Rusca was disgusted with his side’s performance in the opening term and gave his boys a spray at the break.
It did nothing to stop the run of the Buffaloes and new recruit David Mensch was causing trouble for the Districts defence.
The 41- year- old 158- game player at Geelong may be the oldest debutant in the history of the NTFL but he showed there is still some good footy left in those ageing legs.
Tempers flared in the third quarter when Darwin’s Josh Helliwell was placed on report for making front-on con- tact to the head of Dean Staunton. The hit created a fracas on the grandstand side that involved a couple of players from both teams.
Buffaloes started to gain further ascendancy after this and the discipline of the Southern Districts side was tested.
Damian Cupido gave away a couple of down-field free kicks and was subsequently dragged by Rusca.
By this stage of the match, the star spearhead had already booted six goals and was causing headaches for the Buffaloes defenders.
Cupido would not return to the field until early in the last quarter but by that stage the match was essentially over.
The Crocs offered little bite in the final term as the Buffaloes piled on goal after goal.
To make matters worse for Southern Districts, youngster Zane Carter went off the ground with an apparently serious knee injury.
Nothing could ruin the party for the Buffaloes supporters and they started singing the club song before the final siren had sounded.
Luke Clark and Mensch kicked four goals each, while Clinton Rowe and Helliwell were solid in their first game in double blue colours.