NRL NT 2024: Darwin Brothers beat Nightcliff Dragons in Round 11
A hat-trick from a star half and an impactful showing from the forwards inspired the Darwin Brothers to topple Nightcliff on the way to top spot. Check out the latest NRL NT action.
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Darwin Brothers have shot to the top of the NRL NT table on the back of a hat trick to their star half and a big shift from their forward pack against the Nightcliff Dragons.
The Dragons were on top of the table heading into the Round 11 tie, but the Brothers sitting in second showed their ability at both ends of the park to seal the 33-10 victory.
It was Nightcliff who turned on the gas first with a great run from Asiveli Ragu down the left edge pushing the Brethren all the way back into their defensive zone.
Ragu wasn’t quite done there and with another run from dummy half he had the ball at the Brothers’ line and was able to assist Waisale Sekitoga for the opening score.
But it was about all the time in front they would have as the Brethren brought their typically expansive game to force their opposition back bit by bit.
Trent Kurnoth and Aaron Pollard were among the side’s battering rams, sucking in defenders as the Brothers grinded their way up the ground.
And when the moment came it was a delayed pass from Kurnoth to give Isaac Seden-Kurnoth room to dot down under the posts.
They were just as potent on the defence with Darcy Holmes and Drew Tobin locking down known danger men such as David Tabuai and Trey Crowley.
As the pressure mounted the Brethren were able to force mistakes and a penalty allowed Kurnoth to go on another bludgeoning run setting up a Jonas Niki try.
Then came another moment of brilliant evasive running from Seden-Kurnoth, who was able to pivot around at least five Nightcliff defenders to notch his second.
The tries kept coming into the second including a sneaky dart from Connor Williams and a well worked team effort that put through Pollard in the corner.
In between, Seden-Kurnoth again rewarded his forwards for the platform as he chucked a dummy before sprinting 20m to complete his hat trick.
Nightcliff fought to get back on the scoring end thereafter with Dain Smith making the metres, and it did pay off in a score for their co-captain Tabuai.
But with no time left on the clock the Brethren dominated possession late, and as the siren went the match maestro Seden-Kurnoth put boot to ball to score a field goal from 50m.
Coach Leon Cleal was pleased with the result, and said the defensive shift from his forwards was the best he had seen in some time.
“The table is not something we’ve been concentrating on, we’ve been focusing more on ourselves and playing the footy we want to play,” he said.
“At first we were kind of waiting for the game to come us, but from that try we clicked into gear and took the game to them.
“Our middle forwards were great, we’re not the biggest pack, but they took everyone on and that was probably some of the most ferocious defence I’ve seen in this competition from our side.”
Meanwhile, Litchfield continue to keep themselves in the top of the table conversation with a 42-18 win against the Palmerston Raiders.
The Bears were best served by full back David Jacobson and Dillan Vanderburg, who each scored two tries, while Julius Appo got another to stay tied for best try scorer before he was sent.
The Northern Sharks were made to work for a lead against the South Darwin Rabbitohs, but managed to break the game open in the second half to run out the 32-12 winners.
In the women’s competition, Palmerston edged past Litchfield 18-10, with both Tiana Storey and Lucy Aigea adding two tries to their name.
The Raiders women went top of the table with the result, one point ahead of reigning premiers the Brothers who had the bye.
Palmerston have been a growing powerhouse side in the competition for the past few years, and bounced back from a 24-all draw to Sharks last round to take the win this time out.
And the Northern Sharks dominated South Darwin 52-0 with Tamara Madzika, Margaret Dau and Rekeisha Humes all scoring braces.
Nightcliff and Brothers to battle in NRL NT top two face-off
The NRL NT’s top two - the Nightcliff Dragons and Darwin Brothers - will face off in a fierce Round 11 match that could decide who leads heading into the final stretch of the season.
The Dragons have been on top for the majority of the 2024 season with only two losses, but the Brothers are only one win behind and play a brand that could catch out their foes.
Nightcliff won their previous meeting with the brethren 32-12, back in Round 4 during Brothers’ three game losing run.
However, the record does not mean the Dragons will be taking this one lightly coming off a much-appreciated bye week where some tired bodies got a rest.
Dragons’ coach Sam Irwin said his side were fresh coming off the break, in which only a select group of players played in the Deadly Cup, and were ready for the challenge.
“The bye was pretty good for us considering we had a few injuries, but we’re fresh and ready to take on Brothers now,” he said.
“Injury wise pretty much everyone has something considering we’re in the back end of the year, but I’m pretty sure every team is in the same position.
“The group’s just happy at the moment and playing well because of it, that’s the main difference for us this year.”
The Dragons will be down playmaker Robbie Butcher, but are expecting to have a full complement of players otherwise.
Trey Crowley will step up to take control of the attack, while captains Brenton Motlop and David Tabuai bring the leadership to keep the side in check.
The Brothers pose a significant challenge with their ability to run from anywhere with the likes of Caleb Niki and Isaac Seden-Kurnoth having yet another strong season.
“It’s hard to pick what Brothers are going to do, they play a random style of footy, have a good forward pack and a lot of quicks and talent in the backs,” Irwin said.
“It makes it defensively hard because you don’t know what they will do, but in attack nothing will change, we will just throw the ball around as we do and hope it pays off.”
The fixture is part of NO MORE round, part of a campaign aiming to end domestic and family violence through sport.
The NO MORE initiative has been prevalent in the NT sporting community in recent years to educate those in the community of the dangers and prevalence of DV.
The NRL NT has written a domestic violence action plan to help support those in its community impacted by violence.
The plan is a commitment to reducing domestic and family violence, support those impacted by or using violence and outlining practical goals and strategies to help achieve that.
NRL NT general manager Tony Crowe and NO MORE founder Charlie King AM will sign the completed document at Territory Rugby League Stadium at 2pm Saturday.
Founder of the NO MORE program, King said it was an opportunity to raise awareness of the issue and reach out to those who had been impacted by domestic violence.
“We take this opportunity to raise awareness of the issue and provide individuals with knowledge and tools to be able to provide support to those impacted by violence,” he said.
“By understanding the signs of domestic violence and knowing how to offer help or resources, each one of us can play a role in ensuring our neighbours, friends, and family members find the sanctuary they deserve at home.”
Crowe said the NO MORE initiative was in line with the competition’s house rules.
“This once again shows that our sport is a great vehicle to bring people together,” he said.
“It educates and reinforces positive behaviours that can only add value to our rugby league community.”
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Originally published as NRL NT 2024: Darwin Brothers beat Nightcliff Dragons in Round 11
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