After a good start, NT Thunder let the game slip through their hands as Richmond proved too good at TIO Stadium. The final score saw the undefeated Richmond win 7.7(49) to NT Thunder 3.10 (28).

The game started off with Thunder dictating the terms early, Kristy Irvine was following off on her good work from last week and NT was on the attack. It was Angela Foley who kick-started proceedings with Thunder’s first goal off the burst.

Missed opportunities were followed by Danielle Ponter and Stevie-Lee Thompson but the two AFLW stars were looking dangerous early.

Thunder’s forwards may have looked intimidating, but their defence was even better. Tayla Thorn and Shantel Miskin-Ripia formed a defensive barricade that repelled most of Richmond’s advances. Their efforts kept the Tigers to two behinds to end the first term.

Richmond was under pressure in the second term as Thunder played their free-flowing Territorian brand of football. Some hard work at ground level by Amy Chittick set Foley up for her second major of the day as the pressure for Richmond pilled on.

Katie Brennan had been quiet all day, but Brenna kicked into gear half-way through the second quarter. She set up Courtney Wakefield to kick the Tigers first goal then kick one of her own.

Thunder began to feel the intensity rise as a late mark had Jenna Colwell had her line up directly in front of goal. She made no mistake as Richmond hit the front to end halftime.

Richmond had the momentum in the third term but Thunder began to press. Unfortunately for Thunder, Rebecca Miller was intercepting all of Thunders entries.

Another quick rebound saw Wakefield kick her second as the Tiger began to roar. Ponter finally managed to kick one back after a quick snap at goal kept Thunder in the game.

However, Richmond responded through Emily Paterno to shift the balance of power. Thunder tried hard to stem the tide late, but they were beaten by the siren.

Tigers entered the final quarter with the advantage as Thunder began to raise the bar. The game had turned into a tug of war as time proved to be the enemy for NT. Repeated entries by Thunder gave them opportunities but poor skills in front of goal cost them dearly.

Richmond hit back through Brennan who kicked her second from the pocket to seal the game. Richmond booted another late goal through Tayla Stahl as the Tiger toughed out the heat to defeat Thunder.

Kristy Irvine played well but admits that Thunder didn’t make the most of their opportunities.

“They just capitalised a lot better than we did,” Irvine said. “We didn’t make the most of our opportunities. We were in the game until the last quarter and we looked more reactive than proactive. In the end, we just couldn’t get the game back in our favour.”

Stevie Lee Thompson dropped back in the last half to stem the tide. Thunder has many players capable of playing different roles, but today Irvine feels they couldn’t get freed up.

“Stevie Lee dropped back in the halfway through,” Irvine said” She has proven to be a weapon down back and forward. There are a few players we have like that in our team but today we didn’t utilise them enough.”

AFLW star Chelsea Randall is one of those players who missed out this week. With the ability to play in the midfield and off the halfback flank. Her influence has proven hard to replace.

“She is a very experienced athlete,” Irvine said. “She’s definitely hard to replace, she played down back the previous week but can also push into the midfield. But we are confident in most of our players to cover the loss of any player who’s unavailable to play.”

Thunder will play Essendon next week on Saturday, but Irvine is adamant that Thunder will not concede for a second time at home.

“It would be devastating to lose twice at home,” she said. “We won’t lose at home again it ain’t gonna to happen twice”

NT Thunder: 1.5  2.7  3.8  3.10 (28)
Richmond: 0.2  3.4  5.6  7.7 (49)

GOALS

NT Thunder: Angela Foley 2, Danielle Ponter
Richmond: Katie Brennan 2, Courtney Wakefield 2, Emily Paterno, Jenna Colwell, Tayla Stahl

BEST

NT Thunder: Tayla Thorn, Hannah Martin, Sally Riley, Morgan Johnston, Katie Streader, Kristy Irvine
Richmond: Rebecca Miller, Akec Makur Chout, Katie Brennan, Kate Dempsey, Madeline Brancatisano, Jessica Kennedy