Darwin Brothers ready for Palmerston Raiders challenge as the two come face to face in the NRL NT preliminary final

DARWIN Brothers coach Leon Cleal believes his side needs to pull off its best performance of the year to beat Palmerston in the preliminary final of the 2020 NRL NT A-grade premiership.

Brothers’ Leon Rotumah takes on Palmerston’s Stephan Smith Picture: GLENN CAMPBELL

DARWIN Brothers coach Leon Cleal believes his side needs to pull off its best performance of the year to beat Palmerston in the preliminary final of the 2020 NRL NT A-grade premiership.

The Brothers found their way into the preliminary final with a tight 18-16 win over Nightcliff, with Brothers holding on to keep their lead alive.

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“We felt like we were always in control though there was a 10-15 minute period where crucial errors almost took the game away from us,” Cleal told the NT News.

“But overall I was impressed by how they kept fighting the whole way showing maturity and direction which was perhaps missing in the early stages of the season.”

The Brothers will look to the experience of their elder statesman Leon Rotumah, who will come in as one of the only players in the side to have reached this stage of the competition.

But the young guns will also be looking to take charge themselves with Tyrone Nona, Daniel Warren, Nick Sauer and Isaac Kurnoth all standing out in the squad in recent weeks.

Palmerston come in with plenty of experience and will be eager not to go out in straight sets after an undefeated season, a fate they know all too well.

Their forward pack has been massive in 2020 with Stephen Smith and Shane Smith in particular standing out, while backs such as Alex Johnson and Blake Fletcher have got the job done on attack.

“This match is a great opportunity for us as we’re probably in a spot no one expected us to be in except ourselves,” Cleal said.

“We have as much right as anyone else to be here and though we’re not overconfident there is a confidence in this side. We’ve blooded a lot of players this season and I’m proud of how they’re going.

“Palmerston are a tough, uncompromising, highly skilled side. Intimidation will be a part of their game as they’re older and more experienced and we have the upmost respect for them.

“We have to play our best game of the year to beat them. We have to compete at our absolute best and control and execute the game plan as best as we can. There will be no excuses.”

The winner will get the chance to face off against the Litchfield Bears in the grand final.

Meanwhile, the women’s preliminary final will be contested between Nightcliff and Palmerston.

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Palmerston found its way into the clash after beating Litchfield 10-0 in the minor semi-final and will be hoping to keep their winning momentum alive.

Nightcliff lost 28-4 to the undefeated Sistaz in their semi-final and will be driven to win their preliminary to get a chance at revenge.