NT Thunder heads to Brisbane for its Elimination Final with the Apsley Hornets bolstered by the return of captain Shannon Rioli and forward live wire Liam Patrick.
Youngsters Isaiah Farrell-Nelson and Michael Mummery will sit out the must-win game.
It is the fourth time Thunder plays the Hornets this year with the ledger sitting at two-one in Thunder’s favour. However, in the teams’ last meeting at TIO Stadium in Round 17 it was Aspley who enjoyed a 19 point victory.
Head Coach Xavier Clarke said he was hoping the team continued the good form they had showed of late.
“The past couple of weeks is proof of what can do. We know that a four quarter, consistent effort at the top of our game will go a long way to securing the win.
“We have a lot of respect for Aspley. They are a polished, finals-driven team and while we’re meeting them a little earlier in the piece than last year’s grand final we expect it to be just as tight a tussle.
“Having a natural leader like Shannon back in the side will be good for the young boys like Daly (Shannon), Michael (Bowden) and Patrick (Taban) who are all playing in their first NEAFL final.
“And Liam Patrick was pivotal in our last outing against Aspley. He kicked three that night, so we’re hoping he finds the goals just as much this weekend,” Clarke said.
Elimination Final NEAFL Team to play Aspley Hornets
1:30pm (AEST) Saturday 27 August 2016
Graham Road Oval
B: Ben Rioli, Justin Beugelaar, Jack Long
HB: Raphael Clarke, Neil Vea Vea, Jonathan Peris
C: Shannon Rioli, Cameron Ilett, Sam Talbot
HF: Richard Tambling, Daniel Lewis, Phillip Wills
F: Justin Cooper, Darren Ewing, Luke Bath
Foll: Sebastian Guilhaus, Matthew Rosier, Jared Brennan
Inter: Aaron Lonergan, Patrick Taban*, Michael Bowden, Liam Patrick, Daly Shannon
Emer: Michael Mummery, Daniel Russell, Jack Shannahan
In: Liam Patrick, Shannon Rioli
Out: Isaiah Farrell-Nelson, Michael Mummery
Out: Isaiah Farrell-Nelson, Michael Mummery