Wanderers in fightback win Buffaloes fade despite 10-point buffer
WANDERERS came from behind on numerous occasions yesterday to sweep home with a four-goal win against Darwin at Asbuild Oval.
In an up and down encounter, where the lead continually changed hands, Wanderers found what they needed in the final term to run over the top of the Buffaloes.
The victors went into half time with a five-point buffer, although Buffaloes dominated extensive periods early on.
The game looked like it could have gone either way when the teams returned from the sheds.
Luke Clarke scored consecutive majors for Buffaloes to go along with one from Lapcy Mununggurr early in the third quarter. They looked comfortable with the ball in hand, while their defensive pressure on the Wanderers attack was unrelenting. WANDERERS V BUFFALOES GOALS BEST 2.1 5.3 6.10 12.11 1.3. 4.4 8.8. 8.11
Going into the final change full of confidence and with a 10-point lead, Darwin looked on track for a perfect start to their season. However, they didn’t kick a goal in the final quarter.
Sam Arthur scored the first of the final term and his fourth for the match, which gave Wanderers the confidence they would need to go on and claim the win.
Wanderers boss Dean Rioli gave credit to Darwin who forced his side into errors.
“We came out very scrappy for the first half, credit to Buffaloes, it was their pressure that didn’t allow us to play the game we wanted to play,” he said.
“We knew we would be able to run for four quarters and that was the end result — we were able to run away with it.”
Meanwhile, Buffaloes assistant coach Mick Williams said he was thrilled with his team’s effort. “I take my hat off to the fellas, they tried really hard all day and they gave everything they had — so I couldn’t ask for any more,” he said.
“We had a good crack and a good go for three and a bit quarters, we just need to get a bit fitter.
“In the end, they had a little bit more run.”