The NT News looks at the talking points from Round 7 of the 2021 NRL NT season
BROTHERS with big scalp, Sharks hold on and Raiders women end Sistaz streak. WHAT WE LEARNED FROM NRL NT ROUND ACTION
Sport
Don't miss out on the headlines from Sport. Followed categories will be added to My News.
THE NT News looks at some of the main talking points from a surprising seventh round of the 2021 NRL NT season.
Brothers, Sharks and Nightcliff pulled off wins in the men’s competition while Palmerston and Nightcliff managed wins in the women’s contest where Litchfield and Sharks drew.
PALMERSTON WOMEN END SISTAZ STREAK
Reigning premiers Sistaz haven’t been beaten in over a season and for good reason considering their star power and junior depth.
But that unbeaten run came to an end in Round 7 when the Palmerston Raiders women scored a 12-8 win over their rivals.
Palmerston has been a rising side in their own right in recent times making their first ever final in 2020 and beating every other side in 2021.
And now thanks to tries from the dynamic Ciara Aigea and prop Davina Isaac, and the steady kicking boot of Shaylah Barba Palmerston have beat the best.
The loss of Latoniya Norris to injury will no doubt have taken its toll on the defending champions but that takes noting away from Raiders who came out the better in the tight contest.
MORE NT SPORT STORIES
The NT News looks at the talking points from Round 6 of the 2021 NRL NT season
Northern Sharks beat Litchfield while Nightcliff retained the Chico Motlop over South Darwin
Northern Sharks and Litchfield Bears women share match honours in Round 6 match up
South Darwin Rabbitohs and Nightcliff Dragons set to contest the 2021 Chico Motlop Shield
BROTHERS SCORE BIG SCALP OVER RAIDERS
It’s not been the best start to the season for the premiers who have suffered with injuries for much of the early rounds.
But a comeback 24-22 win over early favourites Palmerston Raiders will have renewed plenty of confidence in the Brethren.
It puts Brothers firmly back in the finals fight and shows the side’s growing depth with centre Meli Dreu scoring three tries for the cause.
Brothers were down 22-10 at half time but Palmerston’s Tom Murphy was sent off following an incident in the 31st minute changing the course of the game.
The Raiders didn’t score in the second half giving Brothers the opportunity to climb back into the game with Nick Yarran and Elijah Coombes the other try scorers.
SHARKS SHOW GUTS AGAINST LITCHFIELD
The third placed Sharks showed plenty of guts when they held off a passionate Litchfield side to score their fifth win of the season.
It wasn’t an easy challenge by any means for the side who conceded points early and had to drag themselves back into the contest.
But Sharks held on, even when they once more conceded the lead in the second half, to see out the win.
Suliasi Tavodi showed his ball carrying skills playing a key distributor role to the benefit of try scorers Stephen Fairweather, Cooper Segeyaro, Kaileb Coventry and Thomas Gunn.
It was another key win for the Sharks who are looking more and more like a finals side each week.
TABUI SHINES FOR NIGHTCLIFF DRAGONS
David Tabui has played a key role in both the Nightcliff offence and defence in recent weeks.
Three tries against South Darwin and a game winning performance from fullback against Litchfield the week before has kept the Dragons ship steady in recent times.
His ball distribution and running game have been particuarly major assets for the side.
Tabui wasn’t the only player to star in the Chico Motlop outing against the Rabbitohs with Nightcliff playing with all guns blazing to retain the shield.
Karl Younger and Clint Chettle both notched braces while Wise Sekitoga, Matt Kirwan, Jerome Motlop and captain Brent Crisp all made it over the white paint as well.
LITCHFIELD AND SHARKS IN THRILLING 18-ALL DRAW
A thrilling 18-all draw between Litchfield and Palmerston was even further proof of the growing competitiveness of the women’s game.
Litchfield hit their straps early on running in two early tries with five eighth Kiyanah Toy directing the play around the field.
But then Sharks hit back with the talented Crystal Browne poking holes in the defensive line seeing her side back into the contest.
And from there nothing could split the two sides with each try met with another from the oppsoite side.
REPLAY: Strong Southern Districts outfit downs Waratah
Southern Districts’ star-studded line-up, featuring the likes of Steven Motlop and Jarrod Brander, was too much for Waratah in Round 1 of the NTFL. Check out the REPLAY.
REPLAY: Brilliant Bombers make big early NTFL statement
Tiwi Bombers kicked a new campaign off in some style, piling on the goals in a dominant second half performance to see off the plucky challenge from Wanderers. Catch up on the REPLAY.