With the Home and Away season now done and dusted, a new test awaits us this week. An Elimination Final against the Gold Coast Suns, away at Metricon Stadium on the Gold Coast.

Finals footy always has a different feel about it because there’s so much more at stake. Get it right and you advance to the next week, get it wrong and your season is over. Everything goes up a few gears; intensity, speed of the game and pressure. It’s imperative we travel with the mentality to rise to the occasion.

After some disappointing results over the last month our players still have a firm belief that they can make an impact this season. At times this year we’ve played some exciting footy so we know we can turn it on when required and this weekend we must ensure we do it consistently over four quarters.

Some exciting inclusions await, with 2017 NEAFL Rising Star Adam Sambono pushing for selection along with Mikey Coombes, Jarred Erlandson and Neil Vea Vea .

Many great players have built reputations on performing in big games, over the past nine seasons Cam Ilett and Darren Ewing have done just that in a NT Thunder jumper and no doubt will again this Saturday. However, we look to the next young group of players to rise to the occasion and forge their own legacy and reputation in finals footy.

Captain Shannon Rioli was quoted this week as saying that he will look to lead from the front this week, but needs his 22 mates, his 22 brothers to take that journey with him.

This Saturday you will see 23 NT Thunder players committed to getting the job done. They will play for each other and our fans. I have no doubt they will do everything in their will to play with the passion and excitement that Territory footy is renowned for.

Go Thunder!