Nightcliff Dragons looking for clinical performance against South Darwin in NRL NT round 12 contest

Table toppers Nightcliff Dragons are hoping to use last week’s loss as motivation as they look to bounce back in a big way against South Darwin in round 12 of the NRL NT A-grade premiership.

Nightcliff Dragons are looking to bounce back against South Darwin Rabbitohs. Picture: Che Chorley

TABLE toppers Nightcliff Dragons are hoping to use last week’s loss as motivation as they look to bounce back in a big way against South Darwin in round 12 of the NRL NT A-grade premiership.

The Dragons hadn’t lost since round 3 prior but the 30-20 loss to Northern Sharks in round 11 sent a warning to the side that there is still plenty of work to do.

Coach Reg Rose was disappointed in the result calling his side lethargic but noted it was also the shock is squad needed to rid themselves of complacency.

MORE NT SPORT STORIES

The NT News looks at the talking points from Round 11 of the 2021 NRL NT season

Olympics inspire Top End swimmers to train harder and swim faster to follow their own dreams

Meet all the Northern Territory Olympians going for gold at Tokyo 2021

“It was disappointing. We didn’t turn up, the enthusiasm wasn’t there and we came off as lethargic,” Rose said.

“We know we can’t be at our best every week and that has given us something to improve on particularly in defence as we have leaked 60 points in the past two weeks.

“It’s hard to stay up every week. We don’t want to become complacent as a group so that was probably the shock we needed.”

South Darwin have had another difficult season in the A-grade competition despite their continued efforts week in week out.

The loss of Tian Nicholls to injury has further hampered the outfit though the likes of Bailey Zaro have brought some go forward to the side.

Nightcliff will be without some of their usual forwards who doubled up last weekend with the Deadly Cup.

But the Dragons will still be packing plenty of firepower with an in-form Zac Mott and Matt Woolmington still in the side while Jerome and Brenton Motlop will come into the side from reserves.

“We know South Darwin are struggling a bit with results but it’s still not a game we can take lightly,” Rose said.

“Thinking about ourselves we want to be clinical in what we do and make sure we don’t let off the gas.

“This game also presents some of our reserve players a real opportunity show what they can do with some of our players resting after doubling up last week.”

Meanwhile, Northern Sharks will look to maintain their momentum as they face Litchfield Bears at Webber Park, and Palmerston Raiders played Darwin Brothers on Friday night.