The NT News looks at the talking points from Round 10 of the 2021 NRL NT season

BROTHERS side coming together, Nightcliff women step up a gear and Litchfield flying under the radar. WHAT WE LEARNED FROM NRL NT ROUND 10 ACTION

Nightcliff and Litchfield fought out a thrilling one-point game at Webber Park. Picture Glenn Campbell

THE NT News looks at some of the main talking points from a suprising tenth round of the 2021 NRL NT season.

Brothers and Nightcliff triumphed in the men’s competition while Nightcliff and Sistaz were named the winners on the women’s side of the draw.

BROTHERS SIDE COMING TOGETHER

Brothers’ Nick Yarran had a big game against South Darwin. Picture: Glenn Campbell

It has been an up and down season for the reigning premiers who have contended with injury after injury in 2021.

But recent weeks indicate that the Brethren may finally be coming out the other end of their injury crisis with key players making returns.

Beyond those returnees is the debutants they’re able to try out every other week with Xavier Grant and William Latu the latest to perform for the A-grade side.

Both players notched a brace of tries against South Darwin to push their case for further selection.

Nick Yarran also put in a big showing scoring two tries and in a show of versatility moved to hooker late in the game.

Brothers are one of four sides fighting it out for three finals spots and their returning depth may well be their key in.

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NIGHTCLIFF WOMEN STEP UP A GEAR

Holly Lovatt was among the tryscorers for Nightcliff against Litchfield. Picture: Glenn Campbell

The Nightcliff women showed that they’re more than capable of mixing it with the top sides after beating Litchfield 34-10 at Webber Park.

The lady Dragons have struggled with results in 2021 and find themselves sitting just outside the finals but the win against their closest rivals will have provided some needed confidence.

Nanise Vakacavu crossed for a brace with Holly Lovett, Emily Kapernick, Teka Voysey and Vanessa Lee Chen also notched tries for the side.

Ella Cole kept the scoreboard ticking nailing five out of six conversions while the forwards kept the pressure high to keep the Bears out.

It’s the whole team performance that the Dragons have been looking for and will be something they will be aiming to replicate as they eye up a finals berth.

LITCHFIELD FLYING UNDER THE RADAR

Bill Burn puts a boot to the ball. Photo: Che Chorley

It may not have been the win they were looking for but a one-point loss to the competitions top side is a step in the right direction for Litchfield.

The rebuilding Bears are starting to find the right mixture of experience players and the performances are coming in as a result.

Dragons were ahead early but Litchfield struck back time and time again to do show they are capable of knocking the ladder leaders off their perch.

It wasn’t to be in the end with a Brent Crisp field goal sealing a 31-30 win for his Nightcliff outfit.

Litchfield will know that the upset was theirs for the taking but also that their side is coming together at what may perhaps be the perfect time. They can’t be counted out.

SOUTH DARWIN WOES CONTINUE

As the season goes on the losses keep coming for South Darwin with the side succumbing to blowouts each week.

Their efforts cannot be doubted, the Rabbitohs give it 100 percent every time they take to the field but the depth and fitness still trails that of other sides.

And there are signs of positive development in the squad with Tian Nicholls and Kanae Gimini.

But with everyone else fighting for finals berths Souths are being left behind.

Adding to the club worries the South Darwin women have forfeited three of their past four games which has them on minus six competition points.

The Sharks faced similar issues in their senior grades in recent years but have made a miraculous recovery in 2021 that Souths should be looking to replicate.