Tiwi Bombers look to extend their armoury with a more physical approach to the contested ball

JOINT Tiwi Bombers coach Shane Tipuamantimirri wants his side to learn the traits of tough, inside football as the 2019-20 NTFL season winds towards the Christmas break.

Cyril Rioli in the black and red Tiwi Bombers jumper was an inspiration against the Palmerston Magpies on Bathurst Island. Picture: GLENN CAMPBELL

JOINT Tiwi Bombers coach Shane Tipuamantimirri wants his side to learn the traits of tough, inside football as the 2019-20 NTFL season winds towards the Christmas break.

Torrential rain on Bathurst Island on Saturday almost brought the Bombers undone against a Magpie side adept at winning the football in close.

“It’s why we’ve got to mix up our style of play a bit more from the run, create and spread game we use as a dry weather team,’’ Tipuamanitmirri said.

“When it rains we’ll get opposition sides with bigger bodies at stoppages, so we’ll have to restructure how we play and keep working on playing both styles of game.’’

Tipuamantimirri pointed to his side’s intensive pre-season as the basis for their come-from-behind win over Palmerston.

“It was a tough game where we were in front by four goals and they came straight back at us by hitting us with four goals of their own,’’ he said.

“In the last quarter we only had 10 minutes left in the game to get over them and we did that, mainly due to our big pre-season that gave us legs late in the game.’’

The Bombers are two from three after five rounds with matches against Waratah, Southern Districts, St Mary’s and Nightcliff in the next month.

‘What we have got is a lot of depth in the club now, so we’re happy to bring in players who are capable of playing top level footy,’’ Tipuamantimirri said.

“Junior Boy Rioli is an example of that, he fitted in very well by helping us with the leadership out on the ground as well.

“We played him up forward and through the middle and he showed us what he can do while displaying his leadership skills.

“Harley Puruntatameri was very good for us again around the ground and the back six with Rodney Baird and Chris Jones down there played tight footy and ran the ball out well.

“The players coming in know there is a challenge out there and they want to cement their spots in the side, so they have to step up with everyone else.’’