Sunday Territorian

Tigers fend off Buffalo barrage

- JACK HISLOP NIGHTCLIFF DARWIN

NIGHTCLIFF conceded the first four goals against Darwin at TIO Stadium yesterday but responded brilliantl­y to claim a 14-point win.

The 9.12 (66) to 7.10 (52) victory was the Tigers’ sixth in a row, and included a standout performanc­e from Michael Hagan against his old club.

Chris Baksh’s side booted nine out of the next 10 majors after the Buffaloes’ frantic start.

The double blues looked fit and fast in the first 10 minutes, but failed to win any ascendancy from that point.

Baksh said he was proud of the way his troops responded from their slow beginning.

“I’m really happy with the endeavour. We know (Darwin) are a good side, so to come back in that first quarter was pleasing,” Baksh said.

“We stuck to our structures and were able to get it going. We weren’t switched on at the start, though, so we will have to look at our warmup and pre-game routine.”

Danny Butcher was great in the middle for the Tigers, with Nathan Brown and Daniel Bowles outstandin­g defensivel­y.

Cam Ilett’s class was on show all game, while Hugo Drogemulle­r proved handy in the ruck.

It was Hagan who created the game’s best moments. NIGHTCLIFF V BUFFALOES BEST 4.0 7.3 9.9 9.12 5.1 5.4 7.5 7.10 GOALS

He kicked four goals, including a special one from the outside of his boot on the run early in the second term.

The last quarter remained goalless after the Buffaloes went into three-quarter-time 16 points down.

Player-coach Matt Campbell addressed his team with emotion at the final change, but intensity drained out of the contest as the quarter progressed.

Darwin’s best moments came through Mal Rosas on the outside and Adam Sambono inside forward 50, but inaccuracy in front of goal late proved costly.

Campbell’s men scored five behinds in the last term, which ruled out any chance of a comeback.

 ?? Picture: JUSTIN KENNEDY ?? AFL legend and Buffaloes full-forward Darryl White spins around the Nightcliff defence before kicking a goal
Picture: JUSTIN KENNEDY AFL legend and Buffaloes full-forward Darryl White spins around the Nightcliff defence before kicking a goal
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