By Murray Silby
NT Thunder is hoping to regroup at home in Darwin and launch itself back into the winners’ circle when it comes up against GWS in Round 9 of the NEAFL at TIO Stadium on Saturday night.
A bad lapse for a quarter against Sydney University last weekend saw Thunder’s chances of victory fall away in the face of an eight-goal onslaught by the Students in the third term.
Although able to match the ladder leaders for much of the rest of the game, the third quarter ensured Thunder fell to a 58-point loss.
As a result, Thunder has dropped out of the NEAFL top six with its record now three wins and four losses, but although in seventh place, the evenness of the competition means it’s only percentage away from fourth.
The Sydney Swans are in fourth place, also with 12 points from their three victories, but with a superior percentage to Thunder.
GWS is second last on the ladder with just the two wins and five defeats, but with a last-start victory over Redland.
The Giants enjoyed a 64-point victory over Redland in Round 8 with rookie-listed Zach Sproule and Giants Academy player Shaun Driscoll leading the way.
Although 197 centimetres tall, Sproule played in the middle of the ground and gathered 34 touches, whilst Driscoll led the goal scorers with four majors.
Senior-listed 200 centimetre tall ruckman Matthew Flynn kicked three goals and he’ll form a formidable ruck combination with the 210 centimetre giant Dawson Simpson for Thunder’s Jack Monigatti and Ryan Smith, who are both 195 centimetres tall, to counter.
The Giants midfield is blessed with some of the country’s best young talent, including Aiden Bonar, who was taken with pick 11 in the 2017 AFL draft.
He put in a dominant display against Redland, recording 32 disposals, including 12 kicks and a huge 20 handballs.
He could be matched against Abraham Ankers, who has been in red-hot form for Thunder.
Ankers is one of Thunder’s clearance specialists and a key to it getting a score on the board.
Thunder’s best scoring opportunities against Sydney University came when it was able to get quick, clean ball into its forward line, especially from the centre bounces.
It was never better illustrated than in the second term when it was able to open the quarter with four unanswered goals to turn a 19-point deficit into a six-point lead in just eight minutes.
The counter to that however, was being unable to halt the students’ run in the third term.
Young key defender Sam Smith says fans will see improvement in that area as the team gets to know each other better.
NTFL commitments until just before the start of the NEAFL season always limits the squad’s preparation in the preseason.
“We’re still learning, getting used to each others playing styles and things will start to gel the more we play together,” he said.
“A big positive out of all that is, the backline, we’ve gelled really well together and we’re really getting to know how each of us plays.
“Two or three new players joined our backline this year and it’s good getting to know how they play and what their strengths and weaknesses are. It’s been really good,” Smith said.
Smith said the club has a strong culture, which ensures it’s an enjoyable place to play.
“I love it (playing for Thunder),” he said. “The culture, the professionalism, and they take care of all of us very well.
“It’s professional from us and also from them the way they treat us, so I’m really happy.”
Smith has also had to take his turn in the ruck this season, providing support to Jack Monigatti in the absence of returned veteran Ryan Smith.
“I don’t mind it,” he said. “It’s good to change things up. I’ll just go wherever they need me. I’m happy to play whatever role they want me to.”
Smith the defender shares a dream, like most footballers, of one day being drafted to the AFL and so relishes the opportunities the NEAFL provides to test himself against those who already have received the call, and GWS provides that.
“I love playing against the AFL sides,” he said. “It’s good to see what’s expected at that level and how hard they work, so it’s a lot of fun.
“I’ve always wanted to get drafted. I try every year, but if it doesn’t happen, it doesn’t happen. I’m just happy playing footy.”
He suggested consistency is the key to Thunder beating GWS on Saturday night.
“We’ve had quarters of brilliance,” he explained. “We just need to patch that together so we can get all four quarters out of us.
“I do believe we have one of the most talented sides we’ve ever had and it’s just getting everyone on the same page and everyone playing the same style of footy and I believe we can go far.
“It’ll be a good challenge for us playing GWS. We’ve got the home ground advantage, which should be good with our home crowd support and so we’re looking forward to it.”
This week may also be a significant Round for Patrick Heenan who, if selected, will play his 50 game for Thunder.
NEAFL Round 9: NT Thunder vs GWS – Saturday 6:30pm, TIO Stadium, Darwin