MATCH PREVIEW: Redland v NT Thunder

NEAFL ROUND 4

Saturday, April 27, 2019

Redland Bombers (5th) v NT Thunder (10th)

Scottsdale Park, 1:30pm

SUMMARY

A traditional ANZAC Round match-up between the Redland Bombers and NT Thunder is sure to a thrilling match with both teams playing to prove themselves this weekend.

This annual feature on the NEAFL calendar has been a part of the fixture since 2011, and has evolved into a rivalry with each team desperate to come out on top. Redland has started the 2019 season with one win and two losses – that win coming against Canberra in Round 2 broke a winless drought at home – and will be eager to make it two in a row in-front of their home fans.

The NT Thunder will be fresh coming off the bye last weekend and will want to get their season rolling after two heavy defeats at the hands of the Brisbane Lions and Sydney University.

RECENT ENCOUNTERS

2019 Round 19: NT Thunder 17.10 (112) defeated Redland 13.16 (94) at TIO Stadium

2018 Round 14: NT Thunder 12.9 (81) defeated Redland 10.9 (69) at Scottsdale Park

2018, Round 4: Redland 18.10 (118) defeated NT Thunder 12.11 (83) at TIO Stadium

TALKING POINTS

1. After breaking a 616-day winless run at home against Canberra, the last time out at Scottsdale Park, Redland will have the perfect opportunity to make it two in a row at home against their ANZAC rivals the NT Thunder, and begin to gain some all-important confidence on home turf. But this feat hasn’t come easy in recent years. Redland has only won two games in a row at Scottsdale Park twice since 2014.

2. The NT Thunder are one of three teams that are still searching for their first win of the 2019 campaign after a disappointing start to the season, falling to a strong Brisbane outfit in Round 1 before being outplayed by Sydney University a week later. A win on Saturday will go a long way for the men of the Northern Territory of bettering their five-win season last year. They should be confident of a turnaround in form, too, given they lead the ANZAC Round win-loss record against Redland 7-1.

3. Can Matt Hammelmann repeat his heroics from last season? The 2018 NEAFL Leading Goalkicker Award winner booted a season-high nine majors when these two sides clashed on ANZAC Round in Alice Springs last year – without kicking a behind. Not only did Redland finally break the drought for their first win against NT in this traditional fixture, but Hammelmann became the first Redland player to win the ANZAC Medal for best-on-ground. NT Thunder will need to reduce his influence this week to help prevent Redland from kicking a winning score if they are to come away with the points.

ROOKIE WATCH

Victorian Matt McGannon is beginning to find his feet at NEAFL level since joining Redland this year. A member of the TAC Cup Team of the Year last season, McGannon was named among the Bombers best in their loss to Sydney after 15 disposals and five rebound 50s. The 19-year-old will be keen to impress this weekend and continue his rise up the ranks.

STATS THAT MATTER

The statistic that both teams have lacked so far this season is contested possessions, ranked 9th (NT Thunder) and 10th (Redland) in the competition. The team that is able to fight and scrap harder for their contested possessions will be the likely winner on Saturday.

PREDICTION

Redland by 19 points.