Palmerston Raiders focused on fierce rivals Nightcliff Dragons in the NRL NT preliminary final

Palmerston Raiders have hit a rich vein of form in recent weeks but know they will be up against it when they face Nightcliff Dragons in the NRL NT preliminary final.

Blake Fletcher has been a standout for the Raiders in the 2021 season. Picture: Glenn Campbell

PALMERSTON Raiders have hit a rich vein of form in recent weeks but know they will be up against it when they face Nightcliff Dragons in the NRL NT preliminary final.

The Raiders put themselves in with a shot of competing in the grand final after beating reigning premiers Darwin Brothers 36-16 in the minor semi-final.

But first, all the focus is on the preliminary final and a Nightcliff Dragons side that poses a massive threat to Palmerston’s title ambitions.

Palmerston coach Merg Mikaelian was proud of his side’s efforts but insisted all eyes were on their upcoming bout against Nightcliff.

“It was a good result. We worked well to our structure and game plan against Brothers and came away with the result,” Mikaelian said.

“We were a little rusty but everyone would have been on the weekend after not having touched a footy in the previous week.

“We set the tone with our defence and showed some real desperation in our goal line defence and from there our plan was the same as normal, through the middle with our big forwards.”

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Facing the Raiders is a Dragons side ready to bounce back following their 32-20 loss to Northern Sharks in the major semi-final.

All three of the games between the two sides this season have been tough, tight affairs, with Palmerston winning the most recent 22-12 while down to 11 men in the closing 10 minutes.

Minor premiers Nightcliff have plenty of options in attack and defence with Robbie Butcher and Brent Crisp ready to direct traffic while Tim Muhammad has also been in strong form.

Palmerston however have plenty of firepower of their own with Blake Fletcher showing plenty of skill and leadership in the halves.

Outside him, Joel Turaga and Matthew Johnson have lit up the field week after week with their game changing runs off the back of the hard work of the Raiders’ forward pack.

“We’re focused on Nightcliff, we need to be on our game against them as each of our games against them have been tough,” Mikaelian said.

“This game will be no different. They’re a quality side and will be up and about wanting to bounce back following their semi-final loss.

“There’s no illusion that we will be up against it when we face them and we will need to be resilient as it will come down to who’s the strongest and who wants it most on the day.

“Blake is still a young guy but he has grown into a really competent footballer with his leadership and skill in creating and directing opportunities.

“Joel has a massive impact whenever he is on the field and can turn games with his runs, as can Matt who has hit the same form he had five or six years ago.”

The winner will face Northern Sharks on September 11.

Meanwhile, in the women’s competition it’s between Northern Sharks and Palmerston Raiders in the preliminary final with both gunning for an opportunity to face Sistaz in the grand final.

Sharks have plenty to make up for after a big 44-0 loss to Sistaz in the semis but still have plenty of strength in their ranks including Crystal Browne who won’t let her side go down without a fight.

Palmerston got through 28-24 in the opposite semi-final against Nightcliff and with the try scoring prowess of Ciara Aigea will be hoping to make it two years in a row in a NRL NT women’s grand final.