DARREN MONCRIEFF
Saturday 25 February 2012
MO MOTLOP's Nightcliff were a team head-and-shoulders above the rest of the NTFL Premier League this season and they will cast a keen collective eye over week 1 of the finals series, beginning this weekend.
The Tigers ended the 18-round home-and-away season in top spot on 60 premiership points, a 15-3 win-loss record the club's best in recent times.
Hope is riding high among the success-starved Tiger faithful for it's been 47 barren years since silverware last graced the club's trophy room. In fact, since the club's inception in 1950, Nightcliff has won just three senior premierships: in seasons 1956-57, 1960-61 and 1964-65.
However the question for Nightcliff is, can the Tigers maintain their momentum while taking a bye as the finals series begins?
It's an issue that confounds many a coaching brains trust. Next week will tell us more about what the seaside club is made of.
Second on the Premier League ladder this season were the high-flying Tiwi Bombers on 50 points with an almost identical for-against and percentage as the Tigers in their 12-5-1 season record (the 1 was the Bombers' draw with Waratah).
Beginning proceedings this weekend will be late-season movers Wanderers playing Waratah in the Elimination Final.
The Eagles, coached by Paul Motlop, cruised past St Mary's by 35 points in the final round last weekend.
Wanderers will be boosted by the retention of strongman Josh Cubillo who was reportedly required in Adelaide for duties, including a pre-season match, with his SANFL club Sturt this weekend. Thankfully for the Eagles and their fans, the club stood firm and he'll line up in a key post on Saturday.
Perhaps the match with the most intrigue will be the Qualifying Final where Tiwi Bombers play arch-rivals St Mary's.
In the club's short history, the Bombers have developed a fierce rivalry with the Saints, the club originally created to give Tiwis a team to play for on the mainland.
The Tiwis' first trial match was against the Saints, their first finals win was against the Saints and the club's first grand final was against the Saints. It's against this backdrop that the chance to play Nightcliff next weekend.
AFLNT football operations manager Anthony Venes says the NTFL competitions, from Premier League to its juniors, reveal high standards of football in the Top End and bodes well for the next generation of Territory talent coming through the ranks.
"The evenness of all competitions throughout the minor rounds has been fantastic and each of the top five sides has a great chance of winning the premiership," Venes said.
"I think we are going to witness something special in the Premier League finals series. Anything could happen and a new chapter in history is sure to be written.
"Can Nightcliff break a 47-year drought? Can Tiwi Bombers break through for their first ever flag? Can St Mary's continue their recent good run and make it four out of the last five? Can Wanderers defend their premiership on the back of some great form post-Christmas? Or can Waratah find form at the right time of the year and win it from fifth?"
Venes said there was a good spread of clubs being represented in the Divisions 1 and 2 finals series.
"The Division 1 and 2 finals series are going to be great as well with Banks, Waratah, Nightcliff, Southern Districts, St Mary's, Jabiru, Olympic and University all being represented so Territory footy fans should get to the grounds early to witness some great battles," he said.
"Footy in the Top End is in great shape, the surface at TIO Stadium and at Gardens Oval is in magnificent condition, food and beverage outlets are ready to go. Where else would you be at this time of the year?"
All the weekend's finals will be played at TIO Stadium.
AboriginalFootball@westnet.com.au
Last Modified on 25/02/2012 13:25