Crocs chew Bombers into pieces Districts extend lead at top table
SOUTHERN Districts have beaten Tiwi by 50 points on Bathurst Island to extend their lead at the top of the NTFL Premier League table.
The Crocs’ record now sits at nine victories and a loss, with yesterday’s 19.12 (126) to 11.10 (76) triumph an emphatic one.
The margin at three-quarter time was 64 points, with Tiwi finding form in the final term, kicking five goals to three.
Dean Staunton was outstanding in his 100th match, as was Clinton Gallio before he came off with a shoulder injury late on. Beau Schwarze also impressed in a defensive role.
Coach Shannon Rusca said it was a comprehensive performance from his troops.
“I’m really happy with that,” he said.
“Tiwi is a very quick side by leg speed and the way they move the ball, so for us to negate that in the first three quarters was a fantastic effort.
“They had the ability to work back the other way and hit the scoreboard early and it put the pressure on Tiwi.
“(The Bombers) are always going to get their run ons and it’s about how quickly you can shut them down and stop them hitting the scoreboard consistently.
“We worked really hard on transition and we got the reward for effort.”
The Crocs booted three of the match’s first four majors, although Bomber Adam Tipungwuti nabbed the best, danc- ing his way around two defenders before snapping truly from directly in front.
The midfielder’s major got Tiwi within seven points, but Jess Koopman kicked his third opening-quarter goal after the siren to extend Districts’ lead to 13.
It proved the start of a run of dominance for the visitors. They kicked the next four, with another two coming from Koopman’s boot. GOALS UMPIRES
The streak was halted by a terrific passage of play from Jack Munkara, which started on a wing and ended with the ball propelling between the two big sticks.
Ross Tungatalum bagged another for Tiwi before halftime, cutting the buffer to 34 points at the main break.
There was never going to be a comeback, however, as Districts played their best football in the third term.