Darwin Brothers prop Nick Sauer said a chance conversation led to him joining Brothers, now the NRL NT premiership winner’s ‘addicted’

DARWIN Brothers prop Nick Sauer says the feeling of mateship at the 2020 NRL NT premiers is ‘addictive’. And it played a major role in the team’s incredible upset over two-time reigning champions Litchfield in the grand final on Saturday night.

Brothers prop Brayden Daley led the way up front for his team to pull off a remarkable 28-26 upset over Litchfield in the 2020 NRL NT Grand Final. Picture: Katrina Bridgeford

A CHANCE conversation with committee member Buster Goodson while flying up to Darwin from Canberra was all it took for durable prop Nick Sauer to sign with Brothers last year.

And the 21-year-old will now form part of the nucleus moving the 2020 NRL NT premiers into an exciting future.

Sauer has been “addicted” to the tight-knit family feeling at the Brethren. That sense of doing whatever it takes for your mate was evident in the team’s performance when knocking over two-time reigning champions and hot favourites Litchfield 28-26 in the title decider on Saturday night.

“I had an unlikely conversation with Buster Goodson about getting back on the field on a flight up here,” Sauer – who played for Gungahlin Bulls in the nation’s capital – told the NT News.

“I then met Bear our president (John Adams) and (coach) Leon Cleal.

“Brothers is a family club and the community feeling is really strong.

“It’s addictive.

“Our fan base is huge and they’re an inspiration for us.”

Darwin Brothers come of age with 2020 NRL NT Grand Final win over two-time reigning champions Litchfield Bears at Marrara

Brothers’ Nick Yarran takes out the best on ground in his side’s NRL NT A-grade grand final win over Litchfield Bears at Marrara

Sauer has been playing 80 minutes in arguably the toughest position on a rugby league field in recent weeks.

That allowed the exciting Brothers backline to fire, with flyers Nick Yarran (best on ground), Rodney Baird, Leon Rotumah, Isaac Kurnoth and Aidan Singleton all scoring four-pointers on Saturday night.

“When I get fatigued or feel lazy I stay out there, and I put that down to a strong pre-season,” Sauer said. “Our halves (Thomas Clarke and Tyrone Nona) are an inspiration.”

As expected, Litchfield gave Brothers an immense challenge, scoring four late tries in the decider.

But the Brethren never stopped believing their time was now.

“We’ve harped on about believing in ourselves for weeks and weeks, and to look out for each other,” Sauer said.

And while Brothers have plenty of attacking flair in their backline, it is that sort of belief their forwards have in each other which played a huge role in their premiership triumph.

“(Hooker) Danny Warren plays 80 minutes and someone like Darcy Holmes gives us big impact off the bench,” Sauer said.

“It was my first grand final win and it was unreal. Everyone here at Brothers has worked so hard all year.”