The Redland Bombers produced a stunning 27-point upset over defending premier NT Thunder in Alice Springs on Saturday to further entrench themselves in the NEAFL top six.
The Bombers came from behind to record a confidence-boosting 11.13 (79) to 7.10 (52) over an undermanned NT outfit, in the curtain closer to the Melbourne and Port Adelaide AFL clash at Traeger Park.
NT Thunder led by 12 points at quarter-time but the Bombers slowly reeled them in. They kicked two goals within three minutes of the second to level the scores and held NT goalless for the term.
A run of 12 consecutive behinds between the two sides was broken at the 15-minute mark of the third by NT’s Liam Patrick to put his side back in front.
But Nick Weller’s second restored the lead shortly before three-quarter time, with the visitors finishing the match off strongly with six goals to two in the last.
Although it was a scrappy contest at times, coach Chris David was pleased to get the result and not be reliant on a core group of players to get the job done.
“We didn’t feel threatened at all. We went in to the game wanting to try and get better in certain areas and I think we were able to do that,” he said.
“We never felt like we were out of the game and then we were able to wrestle the lead back and hold on in the end.
“Having players come in and do their role that haven’t played regular NEAFL footy this year, that was a really pleasing thing for us.
“Jack Goodall across half-forward was terrific in terms of hitting up the ball and giving us options. It was Jake Warren’s first game for us and the kid just did his role. It was exactly what you ask for in the players, to do what’s best for the team, and they did that.”
Brad Rees (34 disposals), Blake Grewar (31) and Hayden Bertoli-Simmonds (30) controlled the midfield for the Bombers, but the performances of Goddall and Craig Malone in the ruck stood out.
Matt Thomson – celebrating his 100th NEAFL – top-scored with two goals alongside Weller and Luke Rogerson.
NT Thunder was best served by returning defender and 2015 NEAFL Team of the Year member Justin Beugelaar, Luke Bath and Raphael Clarke.
Redland moved into equal third on the ladder, but sits in fifth on percentage, ahead of a tough match against fourth-placed Sydney University at Tidbold Park next week.
David is pleased with his side’s position at this stage of the season and defence will be a key area of focus against the star-studded students.
“Defending can’t be a ‘sometimes’ thing, we have to do it better every week. Hopefully we can defend a lot better on Saturday and we are able to turn the ball over more and score,” he said.
“It (win against NT) sets up a good second half of the season for us. To come away at this stage at (win-loss record of) 5-3 – we’ll definitely take that.”
REDLAND: 2.3 4.8 5.11 11.13 (79).
NT THUNDER: 4.3 4.6 5.8 7.10 (52).
GOALS – Redland: N Weller 2, M Thomson 2, L Rogerson 2, J Warren, J Goodall, A Christensen, D Cameron-Reeves, S Godfrey. NT Thunder: N Vea Vea, L Patrick, D Weetra, M Mummery, R Clarke, G Turner, B Rioli.
BEST – Redland: J Goodall, C Malone, B Grewar, A Boon, S Godfrey, P Yagmoor. NT Thunder: J Beugelaar, L Bath, R Clarke, P Wills, S Guilhaus, D Shannon.
