The Redland Bombers fell agonisingly short of snapping a four-match losing streak when they came within 12 points of defeating NEAFL premier NT Thunder at Tidbold Park on Saturday.
After a slow start, the Bombers were only seven points down at the 20-minute mark of the last before Thunder came out on top 10.15 (75) to 9.9 (63) in wet conditions.
The visitors dominated the contest early to restrict the Bombers to just a point in the opening quarter as they edged out to a 25-point lead.
Redland kicked its first goal of the match at the 13-minute mark of the second through a piece of individual brilliance from Aaron Christensen, and he followed it up with another major shortly before half-time.
The Bombers had closed to within eight points to start the third but Thunder responded almost immediately with a goal on the run from captain Shannon Rioli, and pushed their lead back out to 25 points at three-quarter time.
The match became more free-flowing in the last as Redland kicked five of the first seven goals – highlighted by a Goal of the Year contender from Thomson when he snapped truly from a tight angle in the pocket.
But it was young midfielder Jack Williams who produced the killer blow when he found some space from 40m out at the 29-minute mark.
Thunder coach Xavier Clarke said it was important for his side to respond after being overrun by Sydney University by 11 points in Darwin last round.
“Last week we had a tough battle against Sydney Uni at home and we needed to come here and put in a four-quarter effort and a solid performance,” he said.
“We didn’t predict it was going to be wet weather for the whole game, but I thought we adjusted to it well.
“We kicked 3.8 in the first quarter and could have had a bigger lead at quarter-time, but to Redland’s credit they kicked back and we were able to hang on in the end.”
The win puts NT Thunder back in second spot on a tight ladder, with Redland remaining in seventh on percentage after Southport’s loss to Aspley.
The Bombers travel to Henson Park next week to tackle Sydney University on Saturday.
Redland Bombers v NT Thunder at Tidbold Park
NT THUNDER 3.8 4.8 7.13 10.15 (75)
REDLAND 0.1 2.6 4.6 9.9 (63)
GOALS – NT Thunder: J Brennan 3, P Taban, D Shannon, J Peris, S Talbot, R Clarke, J Williams, D Ewing. Redland: B Saunders 3, A Christensen 2, M Thomson 2, J Goodall, T Salter.
BEST – NT Thunder: J Brennan, J Beugelaar, R Tambling, C Ilett, R Clarke, J Long. Redland: T Salter, D Cameron-Reeves, B Howard, D Steven, M Thomson.
