Coach's column Round 2

We must have a team-first mentality – Round 2

07.04.17 13:22

NT Thunder’s 2017 NEAFL campaign got off to a promising start last Saturday night with a 57 point win against a quality opponent in the Aspley Hornets. The task this week doesn’t get any easier, seeing us take on a very professional side in the Brisbane Lions Reserves.

Last Saturday night announced the very impressive arrival of some young Territory talent to the NEAFL, seven first game players all displayed they have what it takes to play at this level. Most impressive was the performance from Daly River and Darwin Buffaloes product Adam Sambono. Six goals on debut against tough opposition is a fantastic achievement, and one recognised by gaining a Round 1 NEAFL Rising Star nomination and nine votes in the league MVP.

As enjoyable and exciting as Sambono’s performance was, the performance of his teammates across the ground was equally as pleasing to me, as coach. The work rate and effort from the entire side set up 61 inside 50 entries which were finished by Sambono and Darren Ewing, who himself kicked five goals.

A promising start to season 2017 and the group understand it’s exactly that. The challenge now is to perform to our standard each week and nothing less is acceptable. This is a tough task, as each week of the NEAFL competition brings us quality opposition.

The Brisbane Lions Reserves are a polished outfit with numerous top 30 AFL draft picks from last year. Judging by their win against the Sydney Swans Reserves last weekend, they are a side that likes to keep possession of the football. They had almost 100 disposals more and converted over 55 per cent of their inside 50s.

This means our team-first, defensive mentality needs to be employed when we come up against them this weekend.

Get down early this Saturday (3.20pm) and support NT Thunder’s Under 18 Boys, who face the Brisbane Lions Academy as part of the 2017 AFL National Academy series.

NT Thunder v Brisbane Lions Reserves kicks off at 6.30pm, so we hope you stick around to cheer us on then!

View the team line-up here and watch Davin being told he had made the cut, here