The NT News looks at the talking points from Round 12 of the 2021 NRL NT season
Sharks a finals certainty, Souths forfeits and Palmerston delivers a message of intent. WHAT WE LEARNED FROM NRL NT ROUND 12 ACTION.
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THE NT News looks at some of the main talking points from a thrilling twelth round of the 2021 NRL NT season.
Palmerston, Nightcliff and Sharks were the winners in the men’s competition while Nightcliff and Sharks won in the women with Palmerston and Sistaz playing to a draw.
PALMERSTON POWER PAST BROTHERS
Palmerston sent a message to the rest of the competition when they delivered a crushing 44-6 defeat to Darwin Brothers.
Brothers have looked like a side on the up in recent weeks but Raiders had a point to prove after docked points saw them knocked back into scrap for finals.
Wing Tevita Kanalagi added to his try tally with a brace while Matthew Johnson, Brad Hansen and former Brother Tyrone Nona all scores tries of their own.
But it was the big body of Joel Turaga that caused the most damage coming on in spurts to expose the smaller Darwin side and score a hat-trick of tries.
The match-up is likely to be the elimination semi-final and if that is to be the case then Raiders have shown they have the game to get it done.
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The NT News looks at the talking points from Round 11 of the 2021 NRL NT season
SISTAZ AND RAIDERS PLAY TO DRAW
Sistaz and Palmerston played to a 16-all draw on Friday further proving that there is nothing between the top sides of the women’s comp.
A 12-strong Sistaz outfit held them to a draw with Emilee Odgen and Calista Boyd-Niki scoring a try each while Talia Corrie managed a brace.
The better populated Palmerston scored tries through Debbie Gimini, Christabel Aigea Faatoafe Yasmin Isaac but it was the boot of Amber Baldwin that evened the game.
Add Sharks to the mix and this is shaping up to be a highly competitive tussle in the women’s completion.
Sistaz will know they have a challenge on their hands and will be hoping for the return of some of their big name players by the time finals roll around.
SHARKS GO FROM STRENGTH TO STRENGTH
The Northern Sharks have once again shown their progress across the senior competitions with A-grade posting a significant 44-18 win over Litchfield Bears.
Their big forwards laid the platform and the backs charged through to grab every opportunity that presented itself.
And it isn’t just the men that are impressing as the women of Sharks also pulled to a 24-10 win that has seemingly secured their place in the finals.
It’s been a massive turn around for the club that has struggled over the past couple of years.
Sharks did not have a women’s side last year and their men were fighting to avoid the wooden spoon but now they’re among the best in both comps.
SOUTHS PROBLEMS DEEPEN
A forfeit from South Darwin in both the men and the women has left question marks around the side’s place in the senior ranks once again.
There were signs of promise early in the season with a somewhat consistent side showing up each week but recent forfeits suggest otherwise.
Poor results and missing players have been the story of the side once again and eyes have long since turned to next season when it comes to the senior men.
The women are now out of the contest following their fourth forfeit since round 8 meaning Sistaz will have a bye round next week.
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