NT Thunder (7th) v Gold Coast SUNS (5th) at TIO Stadium, 6.30pm

*This match will be streamed live on ThunderVision (youtube.com/territorythunder)
*Live Champion Data statistics available on the Official NEAFL App

SUMMARY

A chance for redemption awaits NT Thunder this weekend when they return home to face Gold Coast SUNS at TIO Stadium.

A disappointing 73-point loss to Southport last week came after an unexpected loss to Redland in Alice Springs, sending Thunder tumbling out of the top six.

Meanwhile, the fifth-placed SUNS have had their own struggles, with a big 92-point loss at the hands of Brisbane last week, and a depleted line-up set to make the trip to Darwin.

For the home side, Saturday night presents a big opportunity to get back in to the top six, but most importantly, return to their best football.

RECENT ENCOUNTERS

Elimination Final, 2017: Gold Coast 19.9 (123) d NT Thunder 12.12 (84) at Metricon Stadium
Round 7, 2017: NT Thunder 13.12 (90) d Gold Coast 9.6 (60) at TIO Stadium.
Round 1, 2016: NT Thunder 11.10 (76) d Gold Coast 8.10 (58) at TIO Stadium.

TALKING POINTS

1. It will be back to the future for NT Thunder this weekend when Ryan Smith and Phillip Wills take to the field. Two-time NEAFL premiership ruckman Smith was lured out of retirement just last week to make a return to Thunder’s side in a boost to their ruck stocks. Wills has overcome a serious groin issue to be named for his first NEAFL game in 631 days, as the midfielder looks to bring his characteristic attack on the footy and toughness to the home side’s midfield.

2. It’s rare to lose a match when you kick over 100 points, and it’s even more rare to lose when you produced the most accurate score of the season. But NT Thunder did just that against Southport last week, with their 16.2 (101) score line the most accurate team goal kicking performance of any club in a game so far this year. Heading into Round 6, no team boasted a goal scoring percentage above 80, but against Southport the Thunder produced an impressive 88.9 per cent accuracy. 

3. Michael Barlow will be valuable for the SUNS this week amongst an inexperienced and depleted side. Barlow has only played the two NEAFL games this season but dominated both – averaging 41.5 disposals, 19.5 contested possessions and nine clearances. If Gold Coast are any chance of coming away with the points, Barlow needs to fire.

ROOKIE WATCH

Gold Coast SUNS rookie Jacob Dawson is knocking on the door of an AFL debut, and will have a big chance to impress against NT Thunder. A NEAFL Rising Star nominee last season before being drafted to the SUNS, Dawson is currently equal seventh in the NEAFL MVP Award voting thanks to a superb start to the season. The 18-year-old tough, inside midfielder averages 26 disposals, six tackles and 4.2 clearances per match. He’s been named among Gold Coast’s best in five of six games so far – the most of any SUNS player.

STATS THAT MATTER

It’s no secret NT Thunder boasts one of the most potent forward lines in the competition. They are ranked No.1 in the NEAFL for average disposals per goal (3.3), inside 50s per goal (3.2), and have the highest scoring accuracy of 64.9 per cent.

TEAM: 

IN: 42. Connor Nutting 47. Cooper Portelli 20. Michael Barlow 50. Timakoi Bowie 53. Fitzroy Greenwool 40. Joshua Gore 55. Jarrod Mills 56. Thomas Motlop 54. Tui Lowah 59. Matthew Conroy

OUT:  34. Mackenzie Willis (injured) 47. Jack Wingrave (Academy) 53. Joshua Molloy (injured) 40. Jacob Heron (AFL) 30. Peter Wright (AFL) 37. Joshua Jaska (injured) 57. Matthew Fraser (Academy) 54. Jaydan Verdoorn (Academy) 55. Ari Miles (Academy) 41. Will Brodie (AFL) 59. Jackson Brumley (omitted).

NEW:  53. Fitzroy Greenwool 40. Joshua Gore 56. Thomas Motlop 54. Tui Lowah 59. Matthew Conroy