Nightcliff Dragons with tough NRL NT game ahead against strong Palmerston Raiders side

NIGHTCLIFF Dragons are looking to front up and match the strength of Palmerston Raiders in what is shaping up to be a thrilling round 8 NRL NT matchup

Nightcliff’s David Tabaui has been a powerhouse for the Dragons in recent games. Picture: Che Chorley

NIGHTCLIFF Dragons are looking to front up and match the strength of Palmerston Raiders in what is shaping up to be a thrilling round 8 NRL NT matchup.

On their last outing the Dragons bested South Darwin 58-8 retaining the Chico Motlop Shield in the process.

Coach Reg Rose was proud to retain the Shield in a match that saw Brenton and Jerome Motlop get their chance in the A-grade side.

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“Before the game we spoke about sticking to it no matter what and that’s what we managed for the majority of the game,” Rose said.

“We have a lot of new blokes in the club but in a match like the Chico Motlop it was great for us to have involvement from the Motlop family giving the game some real meaning.”

Dragons halves Robbie Butcher and Matt Woolmington add plenty of direction to the Nightcliff offence.

While the skillful duo of Tim Muhammad and David Tabui will cause plenty of problems for the Palmerston defence.

Though Palmerston, even without the suspended Tom Murphy, have plenty of fire power of their own and remain the only side to have bested Nightcliff this season in a 20-16 thriller.

“It’s going to be another tough encounter. No matter the circumstances we know we will be up against it with them,” Rose said.

“They’re strong in the middle with their big bodies. They’re a really tough side who play end to end footy and always find a way back into the contest.

“The team that holds the footy and executes will be the side that gets the upper hand.”

Meanwhile, Litchfield Bears will be hunting a win against South Darwin, while Darwin Brothers faced off against Sharks on Friday night.