Wanderers says its team is fit and strong enough to beat St Marys in this weekend's NTFL grand final.The Eagles booked their place in the decider with a thrilling two-point victory over the Tiwi Bombers at Marrara Stadium on Saturday night. Wanderers held off a late fight back to triumph 9.11. (67) to the Bombers' 9.11.(65).
Coach Paul Motlop concedes his side was exhausted after the match, but says the players will be ready for the grand final."It was a very tough game, no question. We had a good recovery session and all the players are going to lift," Motlop said.
"There aren't many matches bigger than a final. We will be ready."The Tiwi Bombers went into the preliminary final as favourites.They were chasing a second consecutive grand final berth and a crack at a maiden premierships, but an intense pre-match downpour hampered the Bombers' usually flawless handling skills.
They lacked discipline and gave away several costly penalties, including a 100-metre penalty, which ended in a Wanderers goal.The Bombers were devastated after the final siren.
"Everyone was in tears after the match. It was there for us to win," Bombers chairman Allan McGill said."It was just so deflating to lose the game, especially when we could have and should have won. We just have to learn from it for next year. We have already begun preparing".
Meanwhile, Palmerston has won its first women's NTFL flag, upsetting reigning premiers St Marys on Saturday.It was a physical encounter and close until the end, but the Magpies were more desperate for the ball, winning 6.5.(41) to 4.7.(31).Palmerston player Natasha Medbury says it was an amazing win, considering the side finished bottom of the ladder last season.
she said,"It's the first time St Marys have lost in about 4 years, so it is just awesome".
"I just can't believe we have done it. It's just amazing".The Saints were playing for their fourth consecutive premiership and their sixth in the past seven seasons.Tensions boiled over at the Under 18's preliminary football final on Saturday afternoon.Players from Palmerston and Waratah were involved in a scuffle moments after the final siren, and a spectator shoved a referee.
AFL Northern Territory says that melee was unacceptable and the players and spectator could face tough punishments.
"The incident will be fully investigated. We are very upset it happened," AFL Northern Territory's Anthony Venes said."No one was seriously injured and we don't think anyone is pressing charges."Palmerston have re-signed Russell Jeffrey as coach for next season.The Magpies failed to make the finals this year and there was speculation Jeffrey would move to another club.
But Palmerston's board decided to renew Jeffrey's contract for another year and he signed on Friday.
Jeffrey said,"I had a meeting with Gary Pollock, the club president, in regards to my position. He told me the coaching job was mine"."I can safely say that once my time at the Magpies is over my coaching career will be over because I don't really need to go and start another club at my age."In other sports news,
Football Federation Australia says it is looking at holding an A-League game in Darwin next season.Football Northern Territory has put forward a proposal to hold games in the Top End.
The Government says it wants to hold a top level game in the Territory.The other big sporting news from the Territory this week was that Darwin hockey player Lizzy Duguid has been picked to play for Australia.The 18-year-old goalkeeper is training with the Hockeyroo's squad in Perth and will make her debut in April against Argentina.Duguid was surprised to be selected and says she hopes to play for Australia at the Olympics.
Duguid said,"From a very young age I wanted to represent my country, so it's a massive honour and I'm really looking forward to it".But she doesn't have to rely solely on her sporting prowess. Duguid got the highest year 12 mark in the Territory in 2009 and is now studying engineering.
