The NT News rates the performances of the six NRL NT A-grade sides
The NRL NT A-grade season is heading into finals, but how did the sides perform in 2020?
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THE 2020 edition of the NRL NT A-grade competition has been a competitive one with plenty of highs and lows.
Palmerston Raiders sit atop the table undefeated after ten rounds while reigning premiers Litchfield are priming for finals.
But how did the NT News grade them and the other A-grade sides?
PALMERSTON RAIDERS (A)
An undefeated run through the 2020 regular season places Palmerston above the rest and that record comes off the back off their strong forward pack.
Leading the way in the forwards is Shane Smith, Stephan Smith and Chuck Norris who have been on their game defensively and around the ruck all season.
Their hard efforts have enabled the likes of Will Smith and Alex Johnson to go on the offensive with both making plenty of metres throughout the season.
Halves pairing Blake Fletcher and Matt Bennett have marshalled the show giving their side plenty of go forward in difficult times.
Coach Daniel Keelan often credits his side’s determination and grit for their winning form and the Round 8 20-16 from-behind win over Litchfield was proof of that.
But the Raiders know the false omen of an undefeated regular season better than anyone with the straight set losses of 2018 still fresh in mind.
Will 2020 see Palmerston win for the first time since 2013 or will they once again be the nearly men?
LITCHFIELD BEARS (A-)
The two-time reigning premiers have continued like the well-oiled machine we’ve come to expect from the Fred’s Pass based club.
They will rue the two losses to Palmerston though both were highly competitive, tight encounters with only four points separating the sides each time.
Though losing the Mitchell Russell Shield will have come as a disappointment.
Litchfield are a side who know how to do the basics well and though they have switched off for small periods of time in some matches know how to get the job done.
Forward power has been the Litchfield way this year with Dillan Vanderburg and Daniel Gallow both standing out up front.
Dual Frank Johnston medallist Matt Goodfellow has been his usual self working hard in tandem with halves partner Jack Willis.
But hooker Sam McAuley has been the star of the Litchfield show in 2020 running hard and exposing gaps all season.
The Bears are still well in the frame for a three-peat to celebrate the club’s 30th year and if they’ve proven anything in recent years its that they know how to play finals rugby.
DARWIN BROTHERS (B)
It’s easy to look at this young side and say they will dominate the competition in the future, but coach Leon Cleal is adamant that the future is now.
The Brothers will know they have the ability to beat any side on their day with their speedy young guns leading the way.
Isaac Kurnoth in particular has stood out in his debut A-grade season while still playing a pivotal role in the under-18s.
Is ability to find a defensive gap has him as a strong contender for rookie of the season and there won’t be many arguing against his ability.
Thomas Clarke has been another to step up this year becoming the club’s youngest ever A-grade captain when Aaron Pollard suffered an injury.
NTFL stars Rodney Baird and Nick Yarren have also made valuable contributions in their debut seasons.
And for a side with so much potential in their younger ranks they are not without their more experienced heads with the likes of Leon Rotumah, Matt Goodson and Caleb Niki all chipping in.
There is still a gap between Brothers and the big two, but the size of that gap will be theirs to decide come finals.
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NIGHTCLIFF DRAGONS (C)
There will be a sense of disappointment in the Dragons ranks after their results this year.
They picked up the expected four wins against the bottom two sides but faced unexpected difficulties against both.
The side have focused a lot on accountability this season and will need to double down there heading into finals and next year.
First year captain David Paull has been a standout in the forwards leading from example through his double efforts, big carries and hard chases.
Recent debutant Ethan Muller will be one to watch in years to come while recent pickup Trent Papa and usual standout Tim Muhammad have plenty of credit in the bank.
Blowout losses to Litchfield will be the biggest shame for the proud club with the second half of their Round 10 tie particularly disappointing.
Dragons have been scrappy and yet they still find themselves in the finals where anything can happen.
NORTHERN SHARKS (D+)
Sharks are still missing that edge that saw them win consective premierships in 2016-17 and have since fallen down the table.
Their two wins have came against Souths and the closest the Sharks came to a top-four scalp was their opening round 14-12 loss to Nightcliff.
But as ever the Sharks have retained their attacking pedigree. They never let up when they on the offensive or in defence.
Mark Williams scored a brace against Litchfield in the second half of their Round 9 match in a period where the Sharks had the better of the reigning premiers.
Cooper Segeyaro has also been one of the form wingers in the league this year scoring four tries in his side’s 78-6 win over South Darwin.
The fight is there but playing numbers have hurt the club in recent years and it will be another whole year until they get another chance to regain their former glory.
SOUTH DARWIN RABBITOHS (E-)
Two forfeits said it all for South Darwin in 2020. Blowout scores and injuries have not gone the way of the Bunnies and this has become a consistent problem for the side in recent years.
Ironically they scored the very first try of the season when Lachlan Braun dotted over the white line in the opener against Litchfield.
But Souths have forgotten how to win.
Their best game by far came in the Chico Motlop Shield match against Nightcliff, a game they ultimately lost 34-28 despite leading until the dying minutes.
Half back Tian Nichols has been the standout performer in the side this year, turning up each week and fighting hard for what little points Souths have managed to gather.
But a rebuild will be needed ahead of the 2021 season and the Rabbitohs will be hoping rugby union’s switch to the wet season wil bolster their ranks.
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