The NT News looks at the talking points from Round 9 of the 2021 NRL NT season

LITCHFIELD lift for captain’s 200th, Nightcliff consolidate top spot and Raiders’ women continue strong form. WHAT WE LEARNED FROM NRL NT ROUND 9 ACTION

Dragons’ Karl Younger scored the opening try against Darwin Brothers. Picture: Che Chorley

THE NT News looks at some of the main talking points from an exciting ninth round of the 2021 NRL NT season.

Sharks, Litchfield and Nightcliff pulled off wins in the men’s competition while Palmerston, Sharks and Sistaz ran out the winners in this week’s women’s comp action.

LITCHFIELD LIFT FOR CAPTAIN’S 200th GAME

Litchfield Bears’ captain Luke Mahood got to celebrate his 200th game with a win. Picture: Che Chorley

Litchfield gave captain Luke Mahood a 200th game to remember beating Palmerston 18-14 on home turf at Webber Park.

It was a stacked Bears side that took to the field and led right the way through with halves pairing Matt Goodfellow and Bill Burn pulling the strings.

Jack Welch, Brody Race and Jake Crawley all crossed the white paint to rack up a score that sustained a late charge from the Raiders.

The win puts Bears firmly back in the finals fight level on competition points with Brothers. But they will need to carry their form to make finals a reality.

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Nightcliff Dragons kept their winning run alive beating Darwin Brothers, while Litchfield celebrated captain’s milestone with win

Danielle Ponter brace sees Sistaz burst back into winners circle with win over Nightcliff Dragons

Litchfield captain Luke Mahood racks up 200th A-grade game for his beloved Bears

The NT News looks at the talking points from Round 8 of the 2021 NRL NT season

PALMERSTON FORM SLUMP CONTINUES

Raiders’ Brad Hansen.Picture: Glenn Campbell

Palmerston kicked off their 2021 campaign as one of the clear favourites and looked likely to finish the regular season in the top two.

But after their fourth loss in five games the Raiders find themselves in third and in the fight to retain their finals position.

The side will take some comfort in knowing that none of those losses have been by more than four points but would rather be on the other side of the score line.

Key recruit Tom Murphy makes his return from suspension next round and it will be his influence that Raiders will need to reignite their flame heading into the back end of the season.

RAIDERS’ WOMEN STAY TOP WITH SHOW OF STRENGTH

It was a real show of strength from the Raiders women when they dominated the Litchfield Bears 38-0 at Webber Park.

The high intensity game kept the Palmerston side top of the women’s ladder, a rank they won’t give up without a fight.

Christabel Faatoafe continued to show her try scoring prowess managing another brace while Ciara Aigea and Kasey Marsden also put in massive displays.

The win is the sixth in a row for the Palmerston women and they will be looking for more as they enter the back end of the season.

NIGHTCLIFF CONSOLIDATE POSITION ATOP TABLE

Dragons’ Karl Younger scored the opening try against Brothers. Picture: Che Chorley

Nightcliff further consolidated their lead of the A-grade table with a strong win over Darwin Brothers taking them four competition points clear.

The Dragons’ have depth in droves this year with playmakers such as Brent Crisp, Robbie Butcher and Matt Woolmington giving the side plenty of direction.

And it’s that depth and direction that has seen so much success for the side this season which they will be looking to maintain as we near the pointy end of the year.

There’s still plenty this Dragons side needs to improve on with ball control an issue on the weekend but they have the size and skill to challenge any side.

SISTAZ BACK IN WINNERS CIRCLE

Danielle Ponter has been in good form for Sistaz in recent weeks. Picture: Che Chorley

Reigning premiers Sistaz burst back into the winners circle with a confidence boosting 16-6 win over Nightcliff Dragons.

It had been a tricky couple of rounds for the side that went undefeated in 2020 losing two in a row prior the win.

But a brace from form centre Danielle Ponter and some pace from Talia Corrie put the side back in the winning.

Captain Bianca Scyrmgour missed the encounter through injury and will add plenty of experience upon her return, as will 2020 Gaynor Maggs Medalist Latoniya Norris who has also been out injured.