A well-prepared Aspley outfit was able to upset the defending premiers on Saturday evening when the visitors ran out the match by 19-points to record the 13.17 (95) to 11.10 (76) win.
NT THUNDER 1.1 5.2 8.6 11.10 (76)
ASPLEY 3.5 6.11 9.15 13.17 (95)
GOALS
NT Thunder: L Patrick 3 C Ilett 2 J Cooper J Brennan M Bowden D Shannon L Bath S Talbot.
Aspley: G Grose 5 C Stevenson D Bevan E Sansbury J Ferron J Nelis C Stackelberg J Ives R Holman.
BEST
NT Thunder: R Clarke S Rioli L Bath L Patrick R Tambling C Ilett.
Aspley: G Grose R Toye D Henderson J Allen M Payne J Ives.
Dominance was on display early for Aspley when they kicked the first three majors to Thunder’s one that came at the 25th minute mark of the first quarter from milestone-man, Cameron Ilett.
The Hornets led by 16 points at the first break and didn’t look back, leading at every change throughout the match.
Gavin Grose was the Hornets danger man up front, causing headaches for rarely-beaten Thunder defender Justin Buegelaar all night. Playing his first NEAFL match since round five, Grose heavily contributed to Aspley’s win, finishing with a big five-goal haul.
After half-time the Hornets shot out of the gate kicking two quick goals to put Thunder under the pump. Thunder replied almost instantly with a goal from the speedy Justin Cooper and shortly after, a nice right-foot snap from youngster Daly Shannon, to threaten a Territory comeback.
Plenty of scoring opportunities went south for both Thunder and Aspley as they suffered from errant kicking throughout the night. Thunder lifted their effort considerably in the third and fourth quarters with the likes of Raphael Clarke leading from the back-line and Liam Patrick playing smart around the contest.
All-rounder and former AFL player, Jared Brennan, was Thunder’s only loss for the night when he went down in the second quarter with an ankle injury. Brennan’s absence became more apparent as the game progressed, eventually seeing the visitors win by 19-points.
The tight NEAFL ladder standings saw a reshuffle after the GWS Giants upset the Sydney Swans, resulting in Thunder slipping to fifth spot.
With four rounds to go, Thunder will make the trek to Canberra this weekend to take on the Canberra Demons.
By Levi Dobson.
(image credit: Felicity Elliot Photography)