MATCH PREVIEW: NT Thunder v Brisbane

NEAFL ROUND 1

Saturday, April 6, 2019

NT Thunder v Brisbane Lions

TIO Stadium, 6.30pm

SUMMARY

There will be no greater initiation for NT Thunder’s new recruits when they take on the might of a full-strength Brisbane Lions outfit in Darwin on Saturday night.

The Lions – last year’s Elimination Finalists – are expected to take at least 18 AFL-listed players to the Top End for the opening round of the 2019 season, against a Thunder side beginning a new era without club legends Cameron Ilett and Darren Ewing, plus a few injury concerns of their own.

NT Thunder, which finished in ninth place last year with five wins for the season, will relish the opportunity to take on a quality outfit to kick off the year and test themselves against the best.

TIO Stadium hasn’t been a happy hunting ground for the Lions, and NT Thunder will hope it stays that way to kick off a new year with an upset victory.

RECENT ENCOUNTERS

Round 1, 2018: NT Thunder 16.9 (105) d Brisbane 15.14 (104) at TIO Stadium

Round 2, 2017: Brisbane 15.11 (101) d NT Thunder 11.9 (75) at TIO Stadium

Round 13, 2016: NT Thunder 20.15 (135) d Brisbane 7.5 (47) at TIO Stadium

TALKING POINTS

1. The Brisbane Lions are up and about. A few early season wins for the AFL team and a strong pre-season campaign for the NEAFL side has them placed incredibly well heading in to Round 1. The likes of Lewis Taylor, Allen Christensen, Nick Robertson, Tom Cutler, and Ryan Lester all played in the NEAFL practice match against Gold Coast last week, and most of the 19 AFL-listed players against the SUNS are likely to feature against NT Thunder. Connor McFayden and James Madden are listed for fitness tests this week and could also be ready for Round 1 this week, further strengthening the side.

2. NT Thunder are expected to unveil some of their big names recruits against the Lions, and they’ll need them to fire. Former Fremantle ruckman Jack Hannath, Reserves Magarey medallist Jacob Templeton and NTFL star Clinton Gallio will play important roles for their new club, with their experience, size and strength needed to combat a fit and big-bodied Lions outfit.

3. This match-up feels a lot like the corresponding round of last year when Brisbane – at the time defending its 2017 flag – were the hot favourites coming in to the opening round in Darwin. But NT Thunder will remember fondly they caused an upset victory by one point in an epic fashion. Proving that a high number of AFL-listed players doesn’t always guarantee victory, Brisbane conceded 105 points in the match, with 90 of those coming from turnovers, as NT Thunder embraced the challenge and came out victorious.

ROOKIE WATCH

It will be an emotional moment for Kieren Parnell on Saturday night when the young gun runs out for his first game of football in three years. Parnell’s last game was in the SANFL for North Adelaide’s Under 18s team in May 2017 when he suffered a partial tear of the ACL in his right knee, the same knee he injured in his last game, the 2015/16 NTFL Grand Final. Now 20, Parnell is finally back and ready to have a serious crack at reaching AFL level.

STAT THAT MATTERS

Brisbane has a 1-6 win-loss record at TIO Stadium, stretching back to 2011. Their first, and only, win at the venue came in Round 2, 2017.

PREDICTION

Brisbane by 30 points.