Banks apply clamps on way to Reserves flag

BANKS took out the NTFL Men’s Premier League Reserves grand final over Waratah in style at TIO Stadium on Saturday.

The Bulldogs trailed at quarter-time, but clawed their way back with a watertight defence, running out winners by 20 points.

Tahs opened the scoring through clever half-forward Koby Villis when he goaled in the first minute with a long rolling shot.

Waratah had plenty of the ball but could not break down the solid Bulldog defence until Jack Sammartino swung on to his left and kicked truly.

A mark and goal from Banks key forward Brett Kennedy restored some scoreboard equilibrium but a Lewis Stanton major gave the red and whites some breathing space at the first break.

Goals were hard to come by in the second and after 10 minutes it was Lachlan Sverns who broke the deadlock with a goal that gave Banks some reward for effort, after lifting through running players Jack Russell and Kristian Roocke.

When Cohen Thiele steered one through and then Richard Baldock added another, all the momentum was with Banks while Tahs were held scoreless.

The Bulldogs opened the third when Russell was awarded a free kick and 50m penalty from which he goaled.

Play was called off when lightning was observed in the vicinity.

After 10 minutes, play resumed, but it did little to help Waratah, which again failed to score.

When Mitchell Lake goaled for Banks early in the fourth it pretty much sealed the deal for his team.

Banks coach Leigh Crossman – the first Tiwi Island NTFL Premier League premiership coach – has a habit of winning flags.

“I didn’t realise they didn’t score after the first quarter, but perhaps conditions favoured us. We had the week off so it was ours to win,” Crossman said.

“Our defensive six have been great all season and our mids have also been dominant and today was no exception.” Banks 1.0 4.2 5.4 6.5 (41) Waratah 3.3 3.3 3.3 3.3 (21) GOALS – Banks: B Kennedy, L Sverns, C Thiele, R Baldock, J Russell, M Lake. Waratah: K Villis, J Sammartino, L Stanton.

BEST – Banks: J Russell, L Wale-Buxton, J Ross, S Parsons, J Whitehead. Waratah: H Galea, J Sammartino, J Lloyd, M Jorgensen, K Villis.