by Kyle Champion
It was another disappointing result for NT Thunder as the Western Bulldogs outclassed a young NT Thunder team. The final score saw the Bulldogs 13.13(91) defeat Thunder 2.1(13).
Thunder was under the pump before the game even started. Machaelia Roberts, Tayla Thorn, Celina Whan, and Gemma Cusack were all late changes as the Dogs brought in their ringers.
With a star-studded line-up, the Dogs were on top early. The ball was heading in one direction and it was the Dogs who struck first blood. The pressure continued as Thunder began as they did last week.
The Dogs kicked another through Danielle Marshall as their pressure increased. Brooke Lachlan kicked the Dogs third, the AFLW gun was causing real problems up forward and in the midfield. Mikayla Ward kicked their fourth late as Thunder’s attack inside 50 failed to score for the term.
In the second term, Sally Riley finally put Thunder on the board for a behind; Riley had been working hard early and Janet Baird was complementing her well.
Unfortunately for the visitor’s, the Dogs kicked the next goal through Deanna Berry. The game was becoming a nightmare for Thunder until Tayla Hart- Aluni out marked two opposition players, got paid a 50-meter penalty and kicked Thunder’s first of the day.
But she was not finished, popping up again in her attacking half, the youngster kicked her second. Hart-Aluni was single handily bringing Thunder’s forward line into the game.
Her hard work though was undone by a slack defence that allowed the Dogs to run into an open goal and end the half.
In the third term the Western Bulldogs went on the hunt again, as it continued to smash the clearances and pepper the goal face.
Berry kicked her second for the day as things got worse for the NT. Young gun Elisabeth Georgostathis was next to line-up for a goal followed by another Ward major as the Dogs put on a clinic.
One of the few shining lights for Thunder was Shantel Miskin-Ripia, who was pushed into the midfield. Miskin-Ripia was like a pitbull but the Dogs had a pack of pitbulls she could not overcome alone.
The final act saw the Dogs continue the onslaught. After a tug of war for the first 10 minutes, Sophie Molan booted her first. Berry soon lined up for her third and nailed it with ease. Tayla Dinuccio kicked another and the NT girls were left flat after another big loss.
The late changes to key players didn’t help Thunder in the least, but Amy Chittick believes in Thunder’s mantra.
“At Thunder, we have a mantra,” she said “One person comes out and another one steps in. Obviously, it’s not ideal, those girls coming out late but whoever comes in plays their role. But it’s a pretty disappointing day.”
There were still a few positives in the game. When the game was in the balance, Tayla Hart-Aluni stepped up.
“There are still some positives to come out of today,” Chittick said. “I thought Tayla Hart-Aluni was a bit of a livewire down forward. She’s only small but she plays like a tall. Her two goals, I think it was two goals in two minutes, shifted that momentum. It goes to show that two acts of courage can get you back in the game.”
The midfield of Thunder, however, was dominated by Western Bulldogs clearances. But Chittick confesses they were well beaten all over the ground.
“It’s challenging,” she said. “The Western Bulldogs had a pretty strong side and they were very AFLW heavy and those girls came out and smashed it. Every week we’re trying to work on our skills and get better. The midfield is difficult, but you have the backline and forward line. I think that people all around the ground didn’t stand up when they should have including myself. It’s disappointing, but hopefully, we can turn it around next week.”
Next week Thunder will face another tough challenge in Geelong at Queens Park. Hopefully, Thunder can catch a break with its personal and return to winning form.
NT Thunder: 0.0 I 2.1 I 2.1 I 2.1 (13)
Western Bulldogs: 4.3 I 6.7 I 10.10 I 13.13 (91)
GOALS
NT Thunder: Tayla Hart-Aluni 2
Western Bulldogs: Deanna Berry 3, Mary Sandral 2, Mickayla Ward 2, Kirsty Lamb, Tayla Dinnuccio, Sophie Molan, Elisabeth Georgostathis, Danielle Marshall
BEST
NT Thunder: Sophie Armitstead, Katie Streader, Lisa Roberts, Tayla Hart-Aluni, Sally Riley, Janet Baird
Western Bulldogs: Vaomua Laloifi, Deanna Berry, Brooke Lachland, Kirsty Lamb, Sophie Molan, Ashleigh Guest