TAHS ARE FINALLY OFF TO THE BIG DANCE
WARATAH has stormed into its first NTFL grand final since 2008 with a massive 10.8 (68) to 7.7 (49) win over the reigning premiers Nightcliff Tigers.
Nightcliff had been the form side all season and looked strong in the opening exchanges.
However, as they did against St Mary’s in the qualifying final, the Tahs bullied their opposition at every contest.
That hardness around the ball and strong pressure game unhinged the usually composed Tigers and soon enough Cam Arnold had two goals to his name within the opening minute.
The Waratah midfield shone in restricting Tigers of ball with usual suspects Will and Dylan Collis alongside Brodie Carroll and Abe Ankers standing out.
For its part Nightcliff tried to get things moving but seemed sluggish after a week off and didn’t find itself on the board until Ryan Mu booted one late in the quarter.
But the Tahs pressure didn’t let up at that slip with backline maestro Daniel O’Dwyer locking down any momentum gained from the big forwards.
Jayden Magro and X-factor Kurtley Silver were also busy, constantly on the hunt for scores using their pace to force Nightcliff into foot races.
Nightcliff finally found some go forward in the third quarter, booting four unanswered goals which lifted it back to level pegging.
Daniel Bowles and Ryan Nyhuis put in massive shifts down back while Shaun Wilson peaked up across the field to try to ignite a win from his side.
However, just as soon as the Tigers found themselves back, Waratah lifted the intensity to a whole new level with captain Carroll showing off his driver of a left boot.
Another massive goal, this time from Ankers, in the fourth got the Waratah faithful on their feet and it was then that many of them realised they would be heading into the grand final.
“We worked really hard for a long time to get here. To get the result and to get into that grand final which we haven’t done for a lot of years means so much,” Ankers said.
“We do this for our supporters and our volunteers. When we walked back in that room everyone was smiling. It’s just so nice to give back to those that have given so much for us.
“We knew what we wanted to get. Every one of us was on the same path, there wasn’t bloke out there that didn’t put their head over the footy when they needed to.
“This win is something I will never forget but the job is not done yet. We’re hellbent on getting that flag. We don’t just want to play in the grand final, we want to get the chocolates as well.”