South Darwin Rabbitohs and Nightcliff Dragons set to contest the 2021 Chico Motlop Shield

SOUTH Darwin is looking to show its courage and grit when it takes on Nightcliff in the all-important Chico Motlop Shield match in Round 7 of the 2021 NRL NT Premiership

South Darwin’s Kanae Gimini with a run down the wing. Picture: Che Chorley

SOUTH Darwin is looking to show its courage and grit when it takes on Nightcliff in the all-important Chico Motlop Shield match in Round 7 of the 2021 NRL NT Premiership.

Both South Darwin and Nightcliff are steeped in Motlop history, with Nightcliff’s 1987 premiership winning side being coached by Chico Motlop.

Motlop also coached at South Darwin, with his family still involved in the club, and for that reason both sides treat the game with a great deal of respect.

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Nightcliff is the current holder of the Shield, winning in a tight 2020 showdown.

The Dragons are perhaps favourites once again, with the two teams sitting at opposite ends of the table.

The Rabbitohs sit bottom of the table without a win, but coach Shane Nichols said that position didn’t reflect the positive direction the A-grade side was taking.

“This is an important game for both clubs and one that all the players look forward to each year,” Nichols said.

“The Motlops are a well-known family in Darwin and Chico coached at both clubs, so there’s a strong connection there.

“To tell the truth the scores don’t really reflect the direction the club is taking. There’s a positive mood across the club, no boys are hanging their heads though we have had a few injuries.”

One of those injuries is captain and talisman Tian Nicholls, who was one of the best performers in last year’s Chico Motlop match.

Nightcliff sealed the deal, stealing the match in the final minute to prevent a famous win for the Bunnies.

However, there are growing stocks in the Rabbitohs squad with Kanae Gimini (pictured) a strong, hard runner looking to make his mark.

For its part, Nightcliff has plenty of its own strengths and the return of Brent Crisp will only add to its firepower.

“We’re expecting a tough game, they’re a big side that run hard and we need to match,” Nichols said.

“We can’t match them in size but we can match them in heart and courage and we’re hoping that we show that in the game.

“It’s a challenge but one that we must face and hopefully we continue to get better as we have been.”

Meanwhile, Northern Sharks will look to bounce back from their last-round loss against a Litchfield Bears group that are getting stronger each week.

And ladder leaders Palmerston Raider faced reigning premiers Darwin Brothers on Friday night.