They may be lacking players but Leon Cleal wants his Darwin Brothers side to give their all against Nightcliff Dragons in Round 4

DARWIN Brothers coach Leon Cleal is looking for 100 per cent effort from his charges when they take on a big Nightcliff Dragons unit in Round 4 of the 2021 NRL NT Premiership

Premiership winner Isaac Seden-Kurnoth will run out for Brothers against Nightcliff in local derby. Picture: Che Chorley

DARWIN Brothers coach Leon Cleal is looking for 100 per cent effort from his charges when they take on a big Nightcliff Dragons unit in Round 4 of the 2021 NRL NT Premiership.

Brothers most recently lost 32-12 to an in-form Sharks outfit with their opposition’s defence stopping them on plenty of occasions.

And though many of Brothers’ potential starting squad are injured or away, Cleal insisted that his side would make no excuses for recent results.

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“We had the opportunities but just made too many errors and to Sharks’ credit they played well and stuck to their plan,” Cleal told the NT News.

“We take ownership and accountability for that loss. Our errors and our defence let us down and we need to show more desperation instead of sitting back waiting for it to happen. We still had plenty of opportunities to score and stay in the game but they held us up.

“Missing players has had a major impact with no real size in the side, but that’s no excuse and we’re not letting it be an excuse.”

Brothers are in a similar situation against Nightcliff with more players falling to injury or commitments.

Jonas Niki will take over as captain in the absence of Aaron Pollard and Thomas Clarke.

Caleb Niki and Isaac Seden-Kurnoth also remain from the starting side that won the 2020 grand final.

Nightcliff have been in strong form early in the season, with captain Brent Crisp giving the side plenty of direction both in defence and offence.

Former Bear Clint Chettle has also come into his own on the Dragons’ wing, while Adam Hall has brought leadership to the side.

The Dragons put in a massive showing in the Round 3 top-of-the-table clash against Palmerston last week, only falling 20-16.

“They’re a big side that are well drilled, have good direction and play fast and hard,” Cleal said.

“Against them we have to control the play of the ball. Our focus at the moment is all about completion.

“We don’t have big expectations with players out of the side but as long as everyone puts in the effort and gives it their best that’s all we can ask for.

“We know what we can do and know everyone will put in 100 percent and from there the result will be what the result will be.”

Meanwhile, South Darwin hosted an in-form Northern Sharks outfit.

And Palmerston Raiders will face a Litchfield side fresh off their first win of the season.