NT Thunder triumphs against Redland in ANZAC Round shootout

NT Thunder marched on to the winners list with a 25-point victory over Redland in an ANZAC Round shoot-out at Scottsdale Park on Saturday.

The two sides traded goals for most of the afternoon, with Thunder finding an extra gear in the final term to run out 18.15 (123) to 14.14 (98) winners.

NT Thunder coach, Darren, Reeves was happy with his sides’ performance given their start to the year which saw them 0-2 ahead of this week’s contest.

“It’s just been a rough couple of weeks for us … we just needed to fix up a few areas and we were able to do that in today’s performance for four quarters which is really pleasing,” he told neafl.com.au.

“I still feel like we get caught around the footy a little bit, we get into the stoppages and we get caught ball watching a little bit so just make sure that we hold our spot through stages in the contest.”

NT Thunder started the match in the perfect way with a strong breeze as Adam Tipungwuti took the ball front and centre from a marking contest and snapped to kick the first goal of the match in the opening minute.

The Thunder small forwards were looking dangerous early with Ben Rioli and Abraham Ankers each rewarded with goals of their own.

Redland were looking slow to start off with going three goals down, they were then able to make use of some clean uncontested possessions to kick the next four goals of the game thanks to some relentless forward pressure led by playing coach Phil Carse.

Each side then managed to kick a goal late in the quarter to have both teams heading into the quarter time break with a five-point margin.

Redland was wanting to make the most of the wind advantage in the second term, but were unable to. As the second quarter saw both teams go goal for goal until the NT Thunder tied the game at the 29-minute mark of the quarter.

Craig Malone was doing plenty for the home team in the middle, as he recorded 37 hit-outs at the half while Jack Rolls had 12 disposals, five clearances and three inside 50s at the half.

Despite the wind advantage against them, the NT Thunder won the quarter with the margin staying within nine points.

The Thunder’s pressure and attack on the ball around the ground was impressive especially within the forward half was impressive as a chase down tackle by Yarran lead to one of Ross Tungatalum’s two first half goals.

Reeves said this was an aspect they improved during the game.

“Forward pressure definitely lifted today,” he said.

“We were able to get the footy inside 50 as many times as we did, and we were able to hold it in there for a lot longer and create some scoring opportunities.

“I felt like our midfield – even though we got beaten in the clearances and hit-outs – we were able to scrap our way and win it when it really mattered.”

After trailing by a solitary point at the main break, the NT Thunder were able to kick an early goal through Tungatalum, before peppering the goals with five straight behinds.

While the Thunder had most of the play in their forward half and were punished for their inaccurate goal kicking as Soul Cormick kicked a goal against the run of play.

Thunder were then able to make the use of their wind advantage in the premiership quarter, kicking three unanswered goals to Tungatalum, Hugo Drogemueller and Ankers.

After providing a big leading forward target for the home side for majority of the game, Matt Hammelmannn was rewarded with two quick goals to push the margin back to eight points.

A brilliant piece of forward pressure by Tipungwuti was the catalyst for a Kieran Delahunty goal late in the term, giving the Thunder a 13-point margin heading into the final quarter.

To start the final quarter, the tempo and speed of the game reduced considerably to the favour of the NT Thunder. As neither team could break the ball out of the middle to get the crucial first goal until Ankers was able to kick a goal out of congestion, to stretch the lead and start a run of four unanswered goals.

Scott Miller and Caleb Franks were able to kick two late goals for the home team, but it was too little too late as the NT Thunder found their first win of the year.

The NT Thunder will look to focus on their position around stoppages and their spread from the contest when facing Gold Coast next week at TIO Stadium.

The Redland Bombers will be looking to bounce back against the Aspley Hornets at home on Sunday.

Redland Bombers v NT Thunder at Scottsdale Park

NT THUNDER 4.4 9.7 14.12 18.15 (123)
REDLAND 5.3 9.8 12.11 14.14 (98)

GOALS – NT Thunder: R Tungatalum 4 A Ankers 3 K Delahunty 3 D Barry 2 H Drogemuller 2 B Rioli D McLachlan J Hannath A Tipungwuti. Redland: M Hammelmann 4 C Cameron 2 S Cormick 2 C Franks 2 K Walsh T Salter D Steven S Miller.
BEST – NT Thunder: A Ankers J Anderson D Barry J Templeton K Delahunty D McLachlan. Redland: C Cameron C Malone P Yagmoor T Salter C Franks.

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