Hammelmann boots nine as Redland downs NT Thunder

The drought still remains in Darwin with NT Thunder still searching for their first win at home after going down to cross-state rivals the Redland Bombers by 21 points at TIO Stadium Saturday afternoon.

After the first bounce, the Thunder opened the floodgates but it just wasn’t enough for the home side to get their second win of the year, with the Bombers running away to win 20.12 (132) to 16.15 (111).

Thunder looked confident heading into the sheds with a 16-point lead at half-time producing the best football we’ve seen from them all year.

Both sides battled with the windy and hot conditions, but it was the Bombers who produced three straight goals in the first 10 minutes of the third quarter to gain a two-point lead.

From then on bad habits started to sneak back into the Thunder’s game, with a tired Shannon Rioli giving away a free 50m penalty, gifting the Bombers with an easy six points.

On top of that, NEAFL leading goal kicker Matt Hammelmann led the charge for the visiting side booting a total of nine goals for the Bombers. 

This win meant a lot for the Bombers coach Phil Carse, coming off a few tight losses earlier in the season.

“We have been playing good footy but not getting the result we wanted so this win is very special to us,” he told neafl.com.au.

“We are going to keep playing the brand footy we want to play and with this win it has made us hungrier for another one, so we will give it our all next week.”

Coming off a few tough losses in this years campaign as well, it has started to become more of a mental contest for the NT Thunder.

But despite their defeat, things were looking hopeful for the struggling side. Impressive performances from returning players Joe Anderson and Daniel Weetra as well as key forward Kieran Delahunty (four goals) leaves coach Darren Reeves in good spirits.

“We are just trying to stay positive and keep looking at ways to improve, the boys are hurting today but I am hopeful they will bounce back next week,” he said.

The Thunder will be travelling to Blacktown next Saturday where they will meet Sydney University in the hope to keep their season alive, whilst the Bombers will be looking for a back-to back victory when they come head to head with the Aspley Hornets at Voxson Oval next Saturday.

NT Thunder v Redland at TIO Stadium

REDLAND 4.3 9.7 16.10 20.12 (132)
NT THUNDER 4.3 12.5 13.9 16.15 (111)

GOALS – Redland: M Hammelmann 9 C Cameron 4 K Walsh B Bailey C Franks K Baker J Huddy J Wratten. NT Thunder: L Delahunty 4 A Tipungwuti 2 J Hannath D Weetra J Templeton B Rioli N Paredes A Ankers J Jeffrey D Barry T Melville B Carroll.
BEST – Redland: M Hammelmann C Cameron S Cunnington P Yagmoor H Hunkin S Mills. NT Thunder: N Paredes J Hannath J Jeffrey C Thiele J Templeton K Delahunty

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