NT Thunder produced a systematic team performance over the Gold Coast Suns NEAFL side on Saturday night to emerge 30-point victors.
The SUNS had just 10-listed players for the trip to Darwin as a result of injury and three players travelling to China as emergencies for the AFL squad.
A strong final term sealed the win for the home side as the SUNS simply ran out of legs in the 27-degree heat, going down 13.12 (90) to 9.6 (60) win.
The win was far from a Saturday night stroll, however, as Thunder had to see off three spate comebacks in the second and third quarters.
The SUNS managed to get within 14 points on the brink of half-time after firing home three consecutive goals to swing the momentum of the game.
But NT responded immediately after play resumed, winning the first centre clearance of the half and continuing to build form there.
Gold Coast threatened to reclaim the lead in the third, as relentless pressure and tackling looked to derail NT’s trademark run and carry game plan.
But for the SUNS kicking was their biggest downfall in the end.
Cameron Loersch played a lone hand up forward for the SUNS, who were without many of their AFL-listed contingent.
The hulking forward finished with two goals, but often found himself out-manned deep inside 50.
SUNS Academy member Nick Kempe suffered a concussion early in the game and failed to return after colliding with teammate Jack Scrimshaw in an awkward contest.
Gold Coast will enjoy the bye next week as their AFL counterpart returns from their Shanghai expedition.
NT Thunder v Gold Coast SUNS at TIO Stadium.
NT THUNDER 5.2 7.2 10.713.12 (90)
GOLD COAST 1.24.5 8.6 9.6 (60)
GOALS
NT Thunder: A Sambono 5 D Ewing 3 N Yarran 2 S Rioli C Ilett D Weetra.
Gold Coast: K Sheers 3 C Loersch 2 D Currie E Baru M Hallahan S Davidson
BEST
NT Thunder: A Ankers B Rioli A Sambono B McLean S Smith J Erlandson.
Gold Coast: M Spencer R Davis D Macpherson T Nicholls M Hallahan.
