MATCH PREVIEW: NT Thunder v Redland

NEAFL ROUND 9

Saturday, June 1, 2019
NT Thunder (10th) v Redland Bombers (9th)
TIO Stadium, 3:30pm

SUMMARY

It’ll be a bottom of the table clash this weekend when the Redland Bombers head to TIO Stadium this upcoming Saturday for the chance to stay out of reach of last place, while the NT Thunder will be looking to do the opposite with the hope of putting another win next to their name and overtaking Redland on the ladder.

This will be the second time we will see these cross-state rivals go head to head in this 2019 campaign. With both teams desperate for a win it will be an arm wrestle to the final buzzer. Thunder’s defensive pressure has remained the highlight of their games, so it will be interesting to see what Redland brings to the table after losing to NT Thunder in round 4.

Going down to Southport by six points last weekend in front of their home crowd, Redland will be looking to cause an upset at TIO Stadium this Saturday. First bounce is at 3:30pm, tune in to NEAFL TV to see which team will come out on top.

RECENT ENCOUNTERS

Round 4, 2018: Redland 18.10 (118) def. Thunder 12.11 (83) at TIO Stadium
Round 19, 2018: Thunder 17.10 (112) def. Redland 13.16 (94) at TIO Stadium
Round 4, 2019: Redland 18.15 (123) def. Thunder 14.14 (98) at Scottsdale Park

TALKING POINTS

1. The Canberra Demons may have won the battle of the territories, but Thunder’s debutants stole the show at last week’s clash. Former SANFL player Cohen Thiele made a statement in his debut for the Thunder earning himself 18 disposals, alongside him was young midfielder Dylan Barry who also booted three goals for the struggling side. Coming into the midway stage of the season, coach Darren Reeves will be hoping to see many more players take big steps forward to lift the club off the bottom of the ladder.

2. Last time these two sides met in Round 4, it was an open, free-flowing contest which saw 32 goals kicked by both teams, with NT Thunder running away 25-point winners at Scottsdale Park. NT Thunder have been kings of the turnovers this season and love to punish sides on the rebound. It is crucial for Redland not to cough up possession too easily this weekend.

3. The statistic that both teams have struggled so far in this season is contested possessions, with both teams ranked at the bottom of the table ninth (Redland) and 10th (NT Thunder) respectively. The team that is able to muscle up and keep possession of the ball will come out on top on Saturday.

ROOKIE WATCH

One name to remember is No.26 from the Redland Bombers, Billy Johnson. The young half forward winger has made an impressive start to the season, with 15 disposals and four marks against Southport last weekend. Only 19, we can expect big things from him in the years to come. He will be looking forward to marking his mark yet again this weekend and continue his rise up the ranks.

STATS THAT MATTER

Last year’s NEAFL Goalkicking Award winner, Matt Hammlmann, booted three goals last weekend, which has taken him to top spot on the NEAFL goal kicking leaderboard. The former Brisbane Lion is averaging 3.4 goals per game.

PREDICTION

Thunder by 12 points.

Don’t forget to download our free NEAFL App, featuring live Champion Data stats, player bios and more! Available now from the Google Play and Apple stores.

Have your say! Follow the NEAFL on Twitter (@neaflofficial), Instagram (@neaflofficial) and Facebook (www.facebook.com/neaflofficial).