The highs and lows from the opening round of the 2023 NRL NT season
A thrilling grand final rematch and a remarkable come from behind win marked a return to business for the NRL NT. Check out all the talking points from Round 1 here.
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It was a big opening weekend of the NRL NT’s 2023 season with multiple sides marking their intent early, while others will have to wait another week for their first win.
In the men’s competition Litchfield, Sharks and Nightcliff claimed the win, while in the women’s contest it was Palmerston and Brothers who grabbed the victory.
And there were plenty of talking points from each match.
Sharks take control in the wet
The Northern Sharks were always going to kick off their season with a point to prove after their agonising loss in last year’s grand final.
And with a 22-4 win over reigning premiers Palmerston Raiders they managed just that, pulling clear in the second half as the rain came down.
Halfback Mitch Burke was instrumental in his side’s success taking control of the match in wet conditions, and getting the most from his big runners.
His halves partner Brent Crisp also had big moments in the rain kicking deep to either earn the territorial gain or expose the odd mistake from Palmerston’s defence.
But more important than their attack was their defence, with the normally potent Raiders kept to just one try for the duration of the match.
It was an area Palmerston also impressed with in the opening half, but as the rain set in, their defence faltered while Sharks went up a gear.
Despite losing last year’s grand final Sharks have been the standout side in the comp for the past two seasons and if their opening match is anything to go by they will be again in 2023.
Women’s top sides send statements
As has been the case for the past three seasons, it was Darwin Brothers and Palmerston Raiders who got the big wins in the competition opener.
The two clubs have shared the past three premierships and based on the opening round you would be hard pressed to look elsewhere for a title favourite.
Reigning premiers Sistaz have retained much of their playing group from last year’s success, but they’ve also invested heavily in their youth ranks as the club is known for.
Ellie Niki and Janna Ransome, who both cemented their places in the squad last year, were among the standouts scoring two tries each against Litchfield.
Meanwhile, Raiders looked a much changed side from last season, but were still able to pull off a comfortable 32-16 win over Sharks.
It wasn’t all smooth sailing for the Palmerston side as they cruised early only to temporarily give in to fatigue midway through the second half, inviting Sharks back into the contest.
But their will to win shone through and they managed to grind out a couple of late scores to secure the win.
Round 2 will be the big one for both sides as they come up against each other at Goodline Park, a match which could very well indicate how this season will play out.
Litchfield strike back late
At half time everything was going the way of Darwin Brothers who quickly raced to a 16 point lead.
But bit by bit the young Litchfield side marshalled by five eighth Nathan Dixon reeled the Brethen back in to eventually win 20-16.
Brothers’ downfall was in part their own doing with Ethan Schober - who nabbed two tries - spending some time in the sin bin while other inconsistencies creeped into their game.
Meanwhile, Litchfield grinded away at their own game and took their opportunities as they came with the returning Jordan Lynas judged the best on ground for the Bears.
Matt Woolmington marshalled the pace well, while young guns Jake Crawley and Nathan Dixon also stood out.
In many ways the second half was the ‘get the basics right’ approach which Bears at their best under Jake Barnes have looked to.
Litchfield will be hoping to make it two wins in a row next week when they take on South Darwin at Warren Park.
And with fullback David Jacobson still to return to the fold this Bears side can only get better as the season wears on.
But Brothers have a significantly harder task ahead of them with reigning premiers Palmerston looking to bounce back at their home of Goodline Park.
Souths show promise against Dragons
They may not have won but staying in the contest for the full 80 minutes with 26 points on the board is a step in the right direction for South Darwin.
Much has been made over the past few years about the Rabbitohs and their place in the top flight, but a narrow 36-26 loss is something to build on for a side who hasn’t won since 2019.
The return of Tian Nichols to the halves had an immediate impact, while Victor Campbell brought some attacking flair Souths have sorely lacked in recent seasons.
And their contributions allowed Willie May’s men to score not one but five tries, from five separate players.
There’s a long season ahead and there will be bigger challenges to come as well, but for Souths the goal should be first and foremost on staying competitive, which they achieved in Round 1.
It was also a match which gave Nightcliff the confidence boost they would have been after following a disappointing end to their 2022 campaign.
Captain Trey Crowley was accurate from the tee kicking all six of his conversions, while Stylianos Vrontos was a livewire on the wing scoring a brace of tries.
South Darwin women forfeit opener
We’re just one round in and we’ve had the first senior forfeit as the South Darwin were women pulled out of their encounter with Nightcliff.
This unfortunately is not unusual in recent years with the Bunnies women’s side last taking the field in Round 11 of the 2021 season.
On that occasion they lost 46-0 to eventual premiers Palmerston Raiders.
And by the stage Round 11 had rolled around Souths had already forfeited three of their prior matches from the year, and forfeited Round 12 as well, disqualifying them from the competition.
South Darwin did not enter a women’s side in the 2022 competition and at this stage have yet to take the field in 2023.
To find the side’s last win in the competition you would have to look a little further back to Round 1 of the 2020 season where Rabbitohs beat Litchfield 34-22.
Incidentally, if they take the field this week for Round 2 it will be Litchfield they come up against, but their likelihood of playing is still in the air.
But having Souths back playing consistently each week should be a goal with a full complement of six teams the best way of growing the women’s game in the Top End.
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