Brisbane too strong for NT Thunder in wet-weather contest

Brisbane has recorded its biggest ever win against NT Thunder as they proved too strong in a 65-point victory at TIO Stadium on Saturday night.

In wet conditions, the Lions slowly took control of the contest and restrict Thunder to two goals in the second half on their way to a 13.22 (100) to 5.5 victory.

Led by a strong line-up of 18 AFL-listed players, Brisbane adapted to the wet conditions after a storm swept through TIO Stadium before the first bounce.

However, NT Thunder took it up to the Lions early when they booted the first two goals of the game to start 2019 off on the right foot.

Brisbane responded with the next three to take a six-point lead in to the first break, and began to take control in the second with three goals to one.

It was after the main break when the Lions broke the game open, despite a wasteful 3.9 to 0.1 in the third.

The visitors rammed home the advantage in the last to record their highest winning margin over NT Thunder since they won by 60 points in the 2012 Northern Conference Grand Final.

Ryan Lester led the Lions superbly, with Sam Skinner, Allen Christensen and Toby Wooller among their better players.

Tom Cutler booted four goals, plus 22 disposals and six inside 50s and Christensen was another top contributor with 34 disposals and eight inside 50s.

For NT Thunder, Abraham Ankers led the disposals with 19 plus five clearances and Nichols medallist Phillip Wills had 18 touches and six inside 50s.

Daniel Weetra and Ben Rioli stood tall in defence as the Lions threw everything at them, winning the inside 50 count 81-34. But the pair were workhorses, combining for 30 disposals, 10 marks and 14 rebound 50s between them.

NT Thunder will hit the road next week to take on Sydney University, whilst Brisbane returns home to host the GIANTS at Burpengary.

NT Thunder v Brisbane Lions at TIO Stadium

BRISBANE 3.3 6.8 9.17 13.22 (100)

NT THUNDER 2.3 3.4 3.5 5.5 (35)

GOALS – Brisbane: T Cutler 4 C Cox 3 T Wooller 2 C Lyons 2 A Christensen L Taylor. NT Thunder: T Melville 3 K Delahunty D Staunton.

BEST – Brisbane: R Lester S Skinner A Christensen T Wooller M Hinge C Cox. NT Thunder: D Weetra B McLean A Tipungwuti B Rioi A Ankers J Templeton.