The defending premiers took a seven-point loss in an important match against the Canberra Demons on Saturday night at Manuka Oval. A nail-biting last term came after the Demons busted out of the gate early to keep Thunder on the back foot until half-time.
CANBERRA: 6.3 10.7 11.11 15.14 (104)
NT THUNDER: 2.3 3.4 10.4 15.7 (97)
GOALS:
Canberra: B Waite 4, A Bruce 3, R Stevens 2, S Fisher 2, J Harper 2, I Taylor, D Roberts.
NT Thunder: D Ewing 5, M Mummery 2, S Rioli 2, C Ilett 2, L Patrick, S Talbot, L Bath.
BEST:
Canberra: D O’Connell, I Taylor, J Harper, B Dowdell, J Baker, A Bruce.
NT Thunder: M Rosier, C Ilett, N Vea Vea, D Ewing.
Playing in Canberra for the first time, Thunder travelled to the nation’s icy capital to face the last-placed Demons for the second time this season. In their first encounter in Round 8, Thunder defeated the Demons by 98-points at TIO Stadium.
In Saturday’s clash, Canberra put pressure on Thunder early with six goals to two in the first quarter, before piling on a further four goals to push the score out to 66 – 22 before half-time.
Thunder mounted a stunning comeback in the third quarter, dominating possession and kicking seven majors to the Demons’ one. Heading in to the last break, the Territory side closed in fast, trailing by just 11-points.
Star forward Darren ‘Boof’ Ewing kicked his fourth to open the final term before a Sam Talbot snap from the boundary line saw Thunder get within two points. The Demons quickly answered through busy midfielder Jordan Harper.
Youngster Michael Mummery kicked a silky snap out of a spillage with the 16-year-old extending the margin to nine points, Thunder’s biggest lead of the match.
Forward Liam Patrick slotted one shortly after in time on which looked to seal the game.
Canberra reacted quickly, kicking three goals in as many minutes with the sealer coming from Harper after being awarded a free kick 45 metres out.
NT Thunder Head Coach Xavier Clarke said the loss was disappointing, despite the spirited comeback.
“It was the same stuff – if you don’t turn up to play that’s what happens,” Clarke said.
“We let them play their game style in the first half, then decided to play a bit of footy in the second half and that gave us a chance … but full credit to Canberra – they ran hard,” Clarke said.
Centralian Matthew Rosier was damaging for NT, finishing with 27 disposals and six clearances while veteran Cameron Ilett managed two goals and 25 disposals. Defender Neil Vea Vea was also a welcome inclusion in the side, listed in Thunder’s best after returning from a calf injury.
Despite the loss, Thunder retains their fifth spot on the NEAFL ladder and will have a bye this week before facing the Sydney Swans reserves and Southport Sharks for their final two matches of the 2016 NEAFL Season.
By Levi Dobson.