The NT Thunder produced a blinding last quarter to overrun the Gold Coast SUNS Reserves in monsoonal Darwin on Saturday night.
The GC SUNS appeared to have the game in their keeping at the final change when they led by 20 points after it rained so heavily during the third term at TIO Stadium that the players could hardly see each other.
Former skipper Jarred Ilett and ex-Lion Shannon Rusca simply refused to accept defeat, however, and kept pumping the ball forward in the final term as the Thunder dominated their tiring young opponents.
Ilett was the man who put the Thunder in front with a set shot from 35m with nine minutes remaining, with a tense arm wrestle ensuing as the Thunder kept pressing without being able to find the major opening until Aaron Motlop put the result beyond doubt in the final minute.
The home side added 4.5 to 0.0 in the final term to secure a crucial win, 11.15 (81) to 11.6 (72).
It continued the Thunder’s outstanding record in Darwin, where they have not lost since Round 16 of 2009.
The GC SUNS set up what looked like going to be their first win in the NEAFL when they added six goals to two in a dynamic second quarter.
Trailing by a goal after an entertaining first quarter, the GC SUNS rocked the Thunder with a free-wheeling, clinical half hour that made the home side look slow for possibly the first time ever on their home ground.
Midfielders Luke Russell, Josh Toy and Matt Shaw were in everything while Nathan Ablett – in his first appearance of the season – was busy in the forward 50m arc.
Darren Ewing kicked his only two goals of the match in the second term, which proved important as the Thunder twice fell 22 points behind.
GC SUNS full-back Jack Hutchins rebounded strongly for most of the night and the coaching staff were delighted with his performance against the well performed Ewing.
Only one goal was scored in the third quarter as the deluge struck, before the Thunder produced their whirlwind finish.
The Thunder hit the ground running in the final term and had two goals on the board within five minutes, the first courtesy of the slippery Ross Tungatalum, who contributed three for the night.
Morningside listed player Jackson Allen, who was loaned to the GC SUNS as a top along with Peter Yagmoor, was also in the GC SUNS best six.
Round 2 NEAFL Final Scores
Gold Coast SUNS 4.4 10.5 11.6 11.6.72
NT Thunder 5.4 7.7 7.10 11.15.81
Gold Coast SUNS
Goal Kickers: L. Patrick 2, R. Thompson 2, J. Toy , T. Hine , M. Shaw , L. Russell , J. Gillbee , H. Jolly , N. Ablett
Best Players: J. Hutchins, L. Russell, J. Toy, N. Ablett, J. Allen, J. Gillbee
NT Thunder
Goal Kickers: J. Ilett 3, R. Tungatalum 3, D. Ewing 2, C. Ilett , A. Motlop , S. Rioli
Best Players: J. Ilett, K. Lohde, S. Rusca, R. Tungatalum, M. Rosier, B. Palipuaminni
