NT Thunder regains the services of tall timber Hugo Drogemuller, star defender Justin Beugelaar and speedy small Jake Roe-Duggan for this weekend’s away game against the Southport Sharks at Fankhauser Reserve on Saturday.

Roe-Duggan, who first played for NT Thunder in 2014, returns while Drogemuller returns from interstate family commitments and Beugelaar from suspension.

Making way for the three inclusions is Jonathan Peris who is out with a hamstring strain, Michael Coombes with concussion and Lachlan Collihole.

Head Coach Andrew Hodges said the team was looking to continue their good form after defeating the Gold Coast Suns last week.  

“As good as it was, we are still looking to play a full four quarters which we need to do if we want to challenge top five sides,” he said. 

“We executed a lot better than what we had been. Our intensity and commitment on the football was at the level it needs to be. The level of pressure we applied to the opposition was what we’re after and we’re just looking to try and do that consistently week-in-week-out. If we do that we know we’re going to be competitive and give ourselves a chance to win a game of footy.”

On Southport, the coach said the challenge would be focusing on getting an important win away from home.

“Southport are a very good side,” he said. “ We always have very good matches against them and any away game is always a very big challenge no matter who you play. There are no easy games in this competition.

“So we’re definitely going to have to be on our game against Southport down there.”

NEAFL Round 8
Southport Sharks vs NT Thunder
12.00pm Saturday 20 May
Fankhauser Reserve, Southport

B: Tom Davies, Justin Beugelaar, Ben Rioli
HB: Daniel Weetra, Neil Vea Vea, Sam Smith
C: Braedon McLean, Abraham Ankers, Sam Talbot
HF: Shannon Rioli, Hugo Drogemuller, Nick Yarran
F: Damian Williams, Darren Ewing, Adam Sambono
FOLL: Cameron Ilett, Jarred Erlandson, Tony Olango
INT: Jake Roe-Duggan, Ryan Smith, Jack Shannahan, Richard Tambling, Kyle Emery*

EMERGENCIES: Scott McLeod, Ankin Abbott

IN: Justin Beugelaar, Jake Roe-Duggan, Hugo Drogemuller
OUT: Lachlan Collihole (unavailable), Michael Coombes (concussion), Jonathan Peris (injury – hamstring)

* Indicates 23rd player

You can live stream this game thanks to Tatts on ThunderVision.