MATCH PREVIEW: NT Thunder v Aspley

NEAFL ROUND 12

Saturday, June 22, 2019
NT Thunder (10th) v Aspley Hornets (5th)
TIO Traeger Park, 6pm

SUMMARY

It will be another challenge for the struggling NT Thunder side when they come head-to-head with a red-hot Aspley Hornets as NEAFL heads to Alice Springs on Saturday night.

With the Hornets on the climb, it will be a big test for NT in its desperate search for a second victory in 2019 and force an upset for the visiting side. Still with only one win next to their name, the Thunder will be battling against more then just the opposition this Saturday night as they battle to regain confidence and an all-important four-quarter performance.

With the Hornets back to their best after an impressive 65-point victory against Sydney University last week, elevating them in to the top six, expect the visitors to put up quite the fight.

First bounce will be at 6:00pm, will the home side have enough to hold their own and give Aspley a run for its money?

RECENT ENCOUNTERS

Round 7, 2019: Aspley 19.9 (123) def. NT Thunder 6.8 (44) at TIO Stadium
Round 17, 2018: Aspley 9.16 (70) def. NT Thunder 6.7 (43) at TIO Stadium
Round 10, 2018: Aspley 15.14 (104) def. NT Thunder 11.8 (74) at Voxson Oval

TALKING POINTS

1. A four-quarter performance is essential for NT Thunder this week if they are to get over the line. Despite being on the bottom of the ladder, NT has delivered some exciting football which has troubled opposition sides. They are prone to lapses, however, as shown in their last match against Sydney University two weeks ago when they conceded the final 10 goals of the game to do down by 39 points.

2. In an ominous warning to rival clubs, three-time NEAFL MVP winner Matthew Payne has found his match-winning form in recent weeks. The 33-year-old has polled 17 MVP votes in the past fortnight to storm in to fourth position on the MVP leaderboard. Payne is ranked No.2 in the competition for total disposals, No.1 in contested possessions, and No.5 for inside 50s.

3. The Thunder is still yet to win at home in this year’s campaign, with their only victory coming against Redland at Scottsdale Park in Round 4. They would be getting desperate for a win this weekend in hopes to reconnect with their fans and turn their season around. With four players - Abe Ankers, Nigel Lockyer Jr, Dylan Barry and Ethan Liddle - hailing from Alice Springs selected in the team this week, it would be an uplifting story if they can steal a win from their traditional rivals.

ROOKIE WATCH

Tom Jeffrey has earned a second match with Aspley after making his club debut last week, and is one young talent to keep an eye on. The Lions Academy had a solid first match for the Hornets with two goals, and will be looking for another strong showing this weekend in the Red Centre.

STATS THAT MATTER

NT Thunder hasn’t won at Traeger Park in nearly four years. Their last win was an 18-point triumph over Southport back in Round 18, 2015.

PREDICTION

Aspley to go back-to-back against NT in 2019. Hornets by 33 points.

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