NT Thunder’s last home game will be their biggest test of the season when they face the red-hot Sydney Swans reserves side at TIO Stadium in a Saturday night thriller.
Thunder will go into the clash as underdogs after meeting the Swans in Round 14 at the SCG where a spirited effort in the second half wasn’t enough to break a dominant Sydney outfit that took the win by a comfortable 66-points.
Sydney has spent the season perched on top of the NEAFL ladder after having recorded just two losses, both at the hands of the GWS Giants in Rounds 11 and 17. The Swans have consistently played quality football against all sides in the competition and will look to continue that winning form against Thunder on Saturday.
Thunder comes off a bye week and a disappointing loss to the last-placed Canberra Demons at Manuka Oval in Round 18. Thunder had previously defeated the Demons by 98-points in Round 8 and as a result, the loss dropped the Territory side down to fifth on the ladder with two games remaining in the home and away season.
Sydney Swans will make the journey north after a massive 135-point demolition of the Brisbane Lions last week in Blacktown. The Swans dominated their match up early and led the entire game against a lacklustre Lions squad, eventually taking the huge 24.16 (160) to 3.7 (25) win.
Playmaker Jared Brennan is back in the side following an ankle injury while Daniel Lewis has also been named to return against the Swans. Key utility Raphael Clarke returns from a calf injury that saw him withdraw from the Round 18 match against the Canberra Demons while Sam Talbot is out with a leg injury.
Head Coach Xavier Clarke said it is another important match for the Thunder ahead of the finals.
“We have prepared for this match as best we can, there’s been a real sense of purpose on and off the track this week,” Clarke said.
“As a team, we’re extremely focused on the task at hand and finishing the home-and-away season strongly is our priority.
“We all know how well we can perform when we play our best and that is what we aim to do this weekend.
Tennant Creek youngster Isaiah Farrell-Nelson will make his debut for NT Thunder. Playing in the Barkly Australian Football League (BAFL) in 2015, the Year 12 student took out the Patrons Medal for the best and fairest player in the competition, as well as finishing second on the goal-kicker leaderboard.
“It is great to see Farrell-Nelson make his debut this weekend, it is a real credit to the way he has approached his football and he is someone we see who has potential,” Clarke said.
The TIO Women’s Lightning Series returns for another week and will be a curtain raiser to the NEAFL match. Crows Blue will play Crows Yellow in the final of the Lightning Series that kicks off at 4:15pm.
TIO WOMENS LIGHTNING SERIES
Crows Yellow vs Crows Blue at 4:15pm
NT THUNDER V SYDNEY SWANS RESERVES
6:30pm TIO Stadium
Saturday 13 August 2016
By Levi Dobson