Nightcliff Dragons beat South Darwin Rabbitohs in 2023 Chico Motlop Shield match
Nightcliff Dragons have retained their grasp on the Chico Motlop Shield while there was a major change at the top of the table. Read all the latest action from the NRL NT here.
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A slew of reinforcements helped the Nightcliff Dragons retain their grasp on the Chico Motlop Shield in their Round 11 NRL NT match against South Darwin Rabbitohs.
The annual match is played in honour of Chico Motlop who has a significant history with both sides coaching Dragons to a premiership before moving to South Darwin.
And though the Rabbitohs won the last time the sides met, their errors and Nightcliff’s reinforcements saw the Dragons win 36-16.
Souths were put on the defensive early on after giving away penalties putting the pressure on themselves.
It allowed Nightcliff to set a platform through their hard carriers Dain Smith and Shaun Wauchope while Adrian Corrie directed traffic.
The ball soon found its way to dual Frank Johnson medallist Robbie Butcher who fired a pass to winger Stylianos Vrontos who had a virtually unchallenged run at the try line.
A Victor Campbell dropped ball gave Nightcliff their next chance with Vlliame Vonu quick to gather and run 60m to put his side 12-0 up with just ten minutes gone.
Souths had their chances with Tyson Thew putting in great runs from dummy half while Tian Nichols kept the side going forward.
And taking advantage of a couple of Nightcliff penalties the ball found its way to John Hookham who with a determined run saw off four defenders and placed the ball over the line.
However, Nightcliff struck back almost immediately to maintain their lead with a massive carry from Chico’s grandson Brenton Motlop setting up a try for Butcher to see out the opening half.
Souths came bursting out of blocks in the second half with captain Nichols breaking through the defence on a 60m run off the restart.
The carry laid the foundation for a powerful Brenton Roberston carry before Edward Wosomo burst over the line from dummy half to get his sides second.
Their show of intent continued when Roberston put in a massive try-saving tackle while Ankin Lewis popped up more than once with big counter-attacking runs.
However, more mistakes from Souths kept the game in Nightcliff’s favour, who were all too happy to take control of the occasion through their potent halves or the line-breaking Smith.
And captain Zak Mott was the perfect finisher crashing through for back-to-back tries to extend his side’s margin off the back of pinpoint passing from Butcher and Corrie.
The Rabbitohs managed to claw one back when Thew bombed the ball forward allowing Joshua Johnson to dot the ball down.
They looked on for another when Lewis had another massive run drawing the momentum back, but Nightcliff’s defence, which had been strong all night, held Wosomo up over the line.
Instead it was Dragons who had the last score with Smith showing what the side had been missing scoring the final try and securing the Chico Motlop for another year.
“It’s always good when we have a competitive side out on the field, which we’ve lacked throughout the year,” Mott said.
“Chico was a big part of both clubs and it’s always an important game, we had his grandsons Brenton and Jerome playing today, just a shame we couldn’t get them a try in the end.
“It all came down to our completion rate, when we completed we were able to move up the field and pit points on the board, and we’ve been working on tightening our defence as well.
“Having some of those guys back and having a real crack today really shows what we can do when have a decent side and a full bench, when we have our best team we can stick to other sides.”
Meanwhile, the Northern Sharks had another dominant 40-4 win over reigning premiers Palmerston Raiders moving up to top of the table.
And Darwin Brothers spoiled the show at Webber Park beating hosts Litchfield 22-16 with Colin Wilson-Perkins and Peter Nibbs among the try scorers.
In the women’s comp Palmerston further secured second on the table with a 40-0 win which included two tries from Kagui Gimini.
Top side Darwin Brothers were also dominant beating Bears 50-4 with Ellie Niki, Latoniya Norris, and Ivana Schober scoring three tries each.
South Darwin, Nightcliff to clash in crucial Chico Motlop Shield
In many ways Nightcliff and South Darwin will be treating their Chico Motlop Shield match like a grand final, with the outcome largely determining where they finish on the table.
Chico Motlop was an important figure in both club’s histories coaching Nightciff to the 1987 premiership before moving and also inspiring success at South Darwin.
So far this season the sides are one win each with Nightcliff winning the season opener 36-26, while Souths won 24-6 in Round 6, their first victory in four years.
However, this is the match both sides will be targeting not just to show they have the upper hand in the rivalry but also to get their hands on the all-important shield.
In many respects this match will be a grand final for the two sides with neither in contention for finals, and with that in mind they will be going all out for the win.
Nightcliff have historically had the upper hand in this encounter dominating despite plenty of heart shown by their Rabbitohs’ foes.
And while they’re in the middle of a rebuilding year which has them currently on the bottom of the table coach Darren Mannaway has said his side are expecting some big ins for the encounter.
Two-time Frank Johnson medal winner Robbie Butcher and David Tabaui have missed much of this season and would prove game changers if they make an appearance.
Captain Zak Mott and Trey Crowley give it their all each week, while Brenton Motlop and Jerome Motlop should play up for the occasion.
“The playing group understands the importance of this game, what it means to our families and our faithful supporters and sponsors,” Mannaway said.
“The squad has trained well and with some key in’s for the squad this weekend it puts us in a great position to emulate what the club has managed throughout the past decades.
“In a rebuilding year for the club we have taken every game as a learning curve by working hard on key areas of improvements.
“We won’t be bullied or take a backward step come game time, we are ready and pumped up for the big game.”
Souths will be missing captain Dustin Briscoe due to commitments, leaving room for club junior Tian Nichols to take over the reins at skipper.
Coach Willie May said Nichols had been particularly vocal in the lead up to the game instructing his club mates on just how important the game was for the club.
Another player performing well for the Bunnies is 17-year-old fullback Dallas Caulton who has popped up as a real rising star in recent weeks, including in his outing for the Indigenous All Stars.
“A lot of people at both clubs either grew up with, played with or were coached by Chico, he was successful at both clubs,” May said.
“Doesn’t matter where the sides are on the ladder it’s always a good game which inspires the best out of players to try and win the shield.
“Souths have been unlucky the past few years but hopefully we can change that this time around, they’re a quality side with a good coach who will inspire them.
“When we beat them it came down to good preparation, the boys took on the challenge, played to their strengths, kept their discipline and most importantly retained the ball.
“All the boys are keen and ready to go for this one, they know how important it is, we know they’re a quality side so we just need to soak in the atmosphere and play our way.”
Meanwhile, the Northern Sharks will take on Palmerston Raiders with both sides aiming to climb further up the table, while Litchfield Bears host a tough Darwin Brothers at Webber Park.
All the big talking points from NRL NT Round 10
Another Sharks’ thrashing, Litchfield’s lock on the top two and a series of close women’s games were some of the big talking points from NRL NT Round 10.
Litchfield, Sharks and Brothers all triumphed in the men’s competition, while it was South Darwin and Palmerston who came out on top in the women’s.
Here are all the key talking points from Round 10.
Litchfield lock in top two
Ladder leaders Litchfield have all but nailed in their place in the league’s top two with an impressive 28-14 win over the reigning premiers.
It puts them on 18 competition points, two ahead of second-placed Sharks and six ahead of Brothers with just five games left to play.
Which means the Bears, who have only lost once so far this season, need to lose three of their remaining games with Brothers having a perfect run home.
As far as form goes, Litchfield will feel they have a further two wins in hand against both Nightcliff and South Darwin, which leaves just one win from the remaining three games to see them through.
Bears’ showed plenty of strength in the forwards against Palmerston with Brody Race and debutant Callum Dubbeld fronting up well.
Nathan Dixon was everywhere creating opportunities while Corey Gregory and Brock Priestley were the benefactors when it came to crossing the try line.
The race for the minor premiership will however be much hotter with Sharks snapping at Litchfield’s heels with a brilliant run of form.
The key face-off between the two sides comes in Round 13 with a Sharks’ win putting them on top on point’s difference.
Close run women’s competition
The women’s competition was full of close-run games but most impressive was South Darwin who scored their second win of the season beating Sharks 18-12.
It technically leaves them in the fight for a finals berth, just six competition points behind fourth place.
However, to achieve that aim they need to beat one of Brothers and Palmerston, who still remain a cut above the rest.
But even if they don’t make those long odds this win was a step in the right direction for a side who didn’t exist just last year.
In a similarly close match the Palmerston Raiders maintained their second place with a 12-10 win over a hearty Litchfield side.
Lucy Aigea scored twice for the victors bringing her season try tally to nine with Victoria Alley converting both.
It was a missed conversion which sunk Bears’ chances of a draw with Lavinia Norris and Nicole Paterson both crossing the white paint.
Despite these close matches, Darwin Brothers, who had the bye, remain on top and are yet to be defeated in 2023.
Latoniya Norris and Ellie Niki have been crucial in the side’s success this year while their strength in depth has also been key in their season score of 280-52.
It remains to be seen if they can be stopped with Palmerston the closest side to succeeding in their aims.
Sharks’ impressive round
Sharks have absolutely dominated the second round of games winning all five matches by a combined score of 280-52.
Only league leaders Litchfield came within 10 points of the winning score, while third-placed Brothers were 12 points adrift.
Their most recent victory, a 90-6 smashing of South Darwin, has all but cemented Sharks’ place in the top two and if they maintain their current momentum they are on track to steal top spot.
Clint Chettle (10), Samuel Pearson (10) and Bailey Zaro (eight) all now sit firmly in the top five for tries scored, completed by Brothers’ Caleb Niki (15) and Litchfield’s Corey Gregory (10).
But the platform has been set by the Sharks’ forwards including Alex Maniju, while the halves partnership of Brent Crisp and Mitch Burke continues to trouble every opponent.
Sharks will know they have the mental upper hand coming into the final round of matches, particularly into the next encounter against Palmerston who they beat 76-0 last time out.
And though Palmerston did lose their most recent encounter to Bears, there were positive signs in the second half which the reigning premiers won 14-10.
Shane Smith, Dalton West and Ed Murphy were important ball carriers giving a platform to elite finishers Waisale Lacabuka and Tevita Kanalagi.
Chico Motlop to decide wooden spoon
While the minor premiership is still up for grabs the race to avoid bottom spot will be decided this coming weekend in an important shield match.
The Chico Motlop Shield played between South Darwin and Nightcliff is played in honour of the man who coached at both clubs.
And while the two clubs usually play up for the occasion it is a match historically dominated by the Dragons.
However, South Darwin flipped the script in their most recent meeting winning 24-6 sending their rivals to the bottom of the table and winning their first match in four seasons.
But can they repeat the feat in the Chico Motlop, a match which now almost surely decide the wooden spoon with one team to move to two wins, while the other will stay on just one.
Neither side really fired in their Round 10 encounters with Souths losing 90-6 to Sharks while a second half blitz had Brothers beat Dragons by a handy 66-16.
It’s not pretty viewing for either side and with just five matches to go confirmed neither will see finals this season.
This will be the match they both focus their energies on with the Chico Motlop silverware for the winner.
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