Hornets sting Thunder to storm in to top six

Aspley was back to its devastating best on Saturday night when its ruthless game style proved too strong for NT Thunder in a 79-point victory at TIO Stadium.

The Hornets burst out of the blocks in the first term with six goals to one paving the way for the comfortable 19.9 (123) to 6.8 (44) win, jumping in to the top six as a result.

Both teams went in to the clash with a 1-4 win-loss record, and it was Aspley which took its opportunities early to establish control of the contest.

Thunder gave itself something to work with heading in to half-time, with a long bomb from co-captain Shannon Rioli and a snap from Hugo Drogemuller late in the term keeping the margin to 32 points.

But they couldn’t go with the Hornets thereafter, as the visitors stretched the margin to 57 by three-quarter time and added further pain in the last with six majors to two.

Billy Murphy starred with six goals, four coming in the first half as he proved tough for the NT defenders to contain.

Jono Freeman booted three with Connor Stackelberg and Blake Nelis the other multiple goalkickers with two each.

In a pleasing sign for Aspley, it was its second-tier players who really stood up with midfielders Jono Giles and Jasper Craven two of their better performers, as well as recruit Tom Templeton who continues to grow each week.

Jake Spencer was a colossus in the ruck, giving his midfielders first use who delivered into a dynamic forward line.

NT Thunder was best served by the usual suspects in defenders Daniel Weetra and Ben Rioli, who are a class above in an inexperienced an injury-hit Thunder side.

Jack Mongatti battled hard in the ruck, and young defender Kieren Parnell showed some promising signs in an otherwise disappointing night for the 10th-placed Thunder.

Aspley will have the bye next week, with Thunder hosting Canberra at TIO Stadium on Saturday night.

NT Thunder v Aspley Hornets at TIO Stadium

ASPLEY 6.3 8.6 13.8 19.9 (123)
NT THUNDER 1.1 3.4 4.5 6.8 (44)

GOALS – Aspley: W Murphy 6 J Freeman 3 B Nelis 2 C Stackelberg 2 J Craven B Warren L Hampton W Gowers J Nelis M Payne. NT Thunder: S Rioli 2 C Williams 2 H Drogemuller A Tipungwuti.
BEST – Aspley: J Giles J Craven W Murphy J Spencer T Templeton C Carseldine. NT Thunder: D Weetra B Rioli J Monigatti K Parnell.

Don’t forget to download our free NEAFL App, featuring live Champion Data stats, player bios and more! Available now from the Google Play and Apple stores.

Have your say! Follow the NEAFL on Twitter (@neaflofficial), Instagram (@neaflofficial) and Facebook (www.facebook.com/neaflofficial).