COOL CROCS
Districts survive Tiwi scare to continue unbeaten start
SOUTHERN Districts survived a last-quarter scare to maintain its unbeaten start to the NTFL season, defeating Tiwi Bombers by 24 points at TIO Stadium yesterday.
The Crocodiles seemed to have the match on their terms after leading for the duration of the contest, going into three-quarter time with a comfortable 22-point advantage.
But the spirited Bombers produced an electric 10-minute purple patch to begin the final stanza, slamming home four consecutive goals to snatch the lead.
The architecture of midfielder Patrick Heenan and the dash of supremely talented forward Dion Munkara (two goals) ignited Tiwi, who surged to a two-point lead with 10 minutes to go.
But as the rain came down Districts’ experience came to the fore, led by star utility Sam Smith, as the ice-cool Crocs nailed the final three majors of the game to come away with a hard-fought victory.
Districts coach Shannon Rusca said he was pleased his side held firm during a tense final term.
“The last quarter they got a good run-on and kicked the first four goals,” he told the Sunday Territori
an. “When they got a run-on we knew what we needed to do, we have a set play for that sort of situation and we executed that.
“We just know when they come at us we just need to be resilient and trust each other.”
Rusca shifted in-form gun Smith into the ruck mid-way through the final stanza, a move that changed the momentum of the game.
“He dominated at the clearances and set us up nicely,” Rusca said.
Smith was arguably best-onground, while fellow experienced Crocodiles Charlie McAdam and Lionel Ogden were also influential.
Rusca said many other players contributed to the team effort.
“Dean Staunton was one of our best four-quarter performers … Dylan McLachlan, Clinton Gallio and Stevie Rusca were also good,” he said.
“We were dominating the game by feet and by hand and were finding a lot of uncontested possessions.”
For the Bombers, Dion Munkara enjoyed a sensational second half, Heenan was good in the clinches all match and Ross Tungatalum had his usual flashes of brilliance.
Rusca said the Bombers were dangerous when his side turned the ball over.
“We were our own worst enemy at times, we sprayed a few shots on goal and they capitalised on some of our mistakes,” he said.
“That’s just our young kids learning the game, it will come with experience.
“We’ve got to make mistakes to get better.”