Opinion
We are over a week removed from last weekend’s NTFL grand final, one of the greatest games of football I can remember.
Many others agreed, so I’ve listed five things that made it such a great contest.
1. A tough game
Grand final games are epitomised by their hard nature – the fierce competitiveness and win-at-all-costs attitudes of the combatants. This year’s NTFL premiership decider was certainly no exception.
It was a fiery game – two players were reported and neither side was prepared to give an inch to the opposition – and tough midfielders like Dom Brew, Cam Ilett, Nathaniel Paredes and Daly Andrews all had an impact.
2. It was a high-scoring match
These days high-scoring games are becoming more of a rarity. The grand final saw a combined total of 32 goals and both teams score over a hundred points.
The key forwards were back with the two-pronged attack of Nightcliff pair Trent Melville and Kyle Emery, while John Butcher kicked the most important goal of the match.
At the other end we saw St Marys’ Jackson Calder continue his dominant finals series with another bag of six.
3. It was played to a high standard
All in all it was a high-quality game of football. The best two teams in the NTFL were certainly on display last Saturday night. They are the benchmark for a reason. There were so many talented footballers running around, including multiple Nichols Medal winners and ex-AFL and current State League stars.
4. The momentum shifts
Nightcliff led by 36 points during the second quarter and looked as if they were going to embarrass St Marys, but the Saints rallied hard during the latter stages of the second and throughout a dominant third term to snatch the lead.
The Saints led by 19 points into time-on of the last quarter and looked all but home before Nightcliff kicked three late goals to force the game into extra time.
Butcher’s game-tying goal was kicked with apparently just six seconds left on the clock.
5. A nailbiting finish
Of course every great game needs a nailbiting finish, and it does not get much better than what we experienced last week. Butcher took a diving mark in the most congested forward line you will ever see. It was heart-in-your-mouth stuff when he decided to play on with only seconds remaining. A snap on goal that only just missed, hitting the top of the left goalpost.
Extra time. Enough said.
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