Stokes leads way as Buffs overwhelm Wanderers
JARROD Stokes’s tireless attack in the midfield led Darwin Buffaloes to their first win of the 2018-19 NTFL season, comfortably accounting for Wanderers 14.8 (92) to 5.10 (40) at TIO Stadium last night.
The 2018 Chaney Medal winner looks set for a bumper season – he was outstanding in Darwin’s six-point loss to Southern Districts in Round 1, and again last night. Buffs have a great midfield. And with fellow excitement-machine engine room players Mal Rosas and Tim Eldridge, the Double Blues will be hard to stop as they look to reverse their heartbreaking 2018 grand final loss by one point to the Crocodiles.
To beat this fit and hungry Darwin outfit, opposition teams need to produce fourquarter performances.
Southern Districts can do it – who else can? That will be a big question often asked.
Wanderers looked good in the first term last night, leading by eight at the first break.
Shannon Motlop was firing up front, and he kicked an im- pressive goal after a juggled mark, before making no mistake from 45m out.
Daniel Weetra was also super clean at the back of the park and set up a handful of attacking raids.
Sam Christie, Pat Fairhead and Marcus Totham were con- stant threats, before Christie was assisted from the ground in the third quarter.
But the Buffs, boasting an imposing forward line featuring Lindsay Thomas, Darren Shillabeer and Adam Sambono, were always going to mount a charge.
They took control of the second quarter, taking a 12point lead into the main break.
Stokes racked up plenty of possessions in this period and Chris Atkinson was good in the ruck, with the highlight goals coming from Chris Williams’s pinpoint kick from 45m out, and Sambono’s impressive snap inside-50.
Both scored again early in the third term, before former Kangaroos star Thomas landed his first NTFL goal, helping last season’s runners-up take a 31point lead into the final term.
With a comfortable lead, the Double Blues played with freedom, and Jackson Clark finished off a beautiful attacking movement in the fifth minute.
Steven Anderson, Shillabeer and Chris Williams produced good lead-up play for this goal, while Sambono produced a number of magic moments in attack.