Northern Sharks stormed to another win for their milestone men Damien Mick and Tom Gunn

It was a milestone game to remember for Tom Gunn and Damien Mick as their Sharks side stormed to the win over Nightcliff Dragons.

A BLISTERING first half has seen Northern Sharks retain their undefeated streak and gave a duo of milestone men a match to remember.

The 36-12 win over Nightcliff Dragons was built on the back of a flurry of tries in the opening period as the side lifted for veterans Damien Mick (200th game) and Tom Gunn (100th game).

Sharks were on the front foot from the off often barging their way over the gain line and it was Mick who delivered the decisive run for opening score putting Simaika Salaa through on the wing.

That started the onslaught of first half tries with Cooper Segeyaro, Mitchel Burke and Dakota Marsh also finding their way over.

In a saving grace for the Dragons there were some scores that went begging, but for every missed opportunity another was scored by the reigning premiers.

The second half started in much the same manner with former Dragon Clint Chettle reaching over for a score of his own.

Sharks players Tom Gunn and Damien Mick had a milestone game to remember.

And a barnstorming run from Gunn who shrugged off two defenders saw him over for a score on his 100th outing, followed by another try to Segeyaro and one to Caleb Smith.

Nightcliff were able to capitalise on some chances in the second half with Frank Johnson medallist Robbie Butcher running some hard lines alongside bulldozer Shaun Wauchope.

Those efforts resulted in some late scores to Dain Smith and Brenton Motlop allowing some dignity on the scoreboard.

But the day belonged to Sharks, who remain top of the table and were able to give their stars a suitable match to mark for their milestones.

“To be still here after 100 games in a sport that I love with a team that I love is something I can’t put into words,” Gunn said.

“Everyone just backs each other here, we have confidence in each other and that’s what it comes down. This game may have been a milestone, but we’re just doing it for each other.

“This result was on the back of the boys coming to training, working for each other and doing we needed to do.

“For us at the moment it’s just about going week by week and making sure we’re improving and not dropping off.”

The Sharks women had their own taste of victory beating a Nightcliff side 30-16 in the earlier fixture.

The lady Sharks got their first score on the board within a matter of minutes when a try-hungry Jasmin Castro burst through the line to score the opener.

It was only a couple of moments later that Castro was able to dot down another score after crashing through the ailing defence.

But the Dragons didn’t give up there building their way back into the game bit by bit until Nakkaara Johnson charged through to put her side on the board.

Her try was shortly followed by a Kiarhii Williams and the Dragons were well and truly back in the game at the half.

However, matters went south for them in the second period as Ayesha Kay blitzed through for a quick brace while Castro completed her hat trick.

For their efforts Nightcliff didn’t leave the second half empty handed handily near the death through Tedisha Bush.

Mick brings up massive milestone

NORTHERN Sharks star Damien Mick will get the chance to reflect on his NRL NT A-grade career as he pulls on his playing jersey for the 200th time this weekend.

Mick joined the Sharks as an under-18’s player and was playing at the top level by 2006 as a 16-year-old.

The following year he was part of his first premiership winning squad when Sharks beat Litchfield 22-16 in the final, and that win sealed his love for the club.

Fifteen years on he is still playing his part for a currently undefeated Sharks, and will play his 200th A-Grade match against Nightcliff Dragons.

“Achieving 200 games at just one club is just really great, it means a lot,” Mick said.

“It’s not just about playing rugby league with the club, but also how the club has supported me both socially and emotionally throughout the years that I’ve been involved.

“What kept me around was winning that first premiership in 2007 when I was 17 and ever since I’ve just been driven to do more with and for the club.”

In his time at the club Sharks have also managed premierships in 2016, 2017 and most recently in 2021, while also making the final in 2010 and 2012.

Damien Mick will play his 200th game for Northern Sharks against Nightcliff. Picture: Glenn Campbell

It’s not all been smooth sailing for the club though with a player shortage following the 2017 victory setting the side into a massive slump.

Mick was one of the few who stayed on loyally playing on to keep his club alive, often staying on the field to play reserve grade and A-Grade back to back.

That loyalty paid off in 2021 as the committee and an influx of playing personnel gave the club renewed life, and against expectations the side not only reached finals but won it all.

“There were stages there where we were doubling up from reserves to A-grade just to help keep our club going,” Mick said.

“We were at a stage where we could have folded, but we wanted to keep the club going, we wanted to stay in so as players we sacrificed those years.

“We had to work hard looking at the club and our culture and how the club could support players more than it was.

“We used to have 2-3 people show up at training and now we have 30 to 40 which is a testament to the committee and everyone involved, and the grand final win was the icing on the cake.”

Sharks haven’t slowed down since winning the premiership and currently sit undefeated on top of the table with a points difference of 226, and two wins ahead of second placed Darwin Brothers.

Joining Mick against Nightcliff is fellow milestone man and fellow big game player Tom Gunn who will celebrate his 100th game for the Sharks.

Outside them is a strong forward pack known for tiring out oppositions and plenty of strike runners in the backs able to work their magic for a score.

“Coach PD (Downes) has been great, he has really brought us together in terms of culture focusing on the off field stuff as much as the on field,” Mick said.

“There’s probably a handful of us that have been here for ten years and have been through the hard roads, but he’s built a culture for us that’s helped build the friendship on and off the field.

“It’s still a week by week progress for us. Each week we look back on the game before and then we restart, reset and focus on the week to come.”

Referee grabs slice of NT sporting history

A REFEREE has grabbed a slice of NT sporting history when she became the first female to take charge of a game in the NRL NT’s A-grade competition.

Olivia Lawne, from the Parramatta Referees Association, enjoyed a whirlwind 24 hour visit to the Top End in which she took charge of the A-grade match between Northern Sharks and South Darwin.

It was a through a partnership with her association and the NRL NT that she got the chance to come north for the weekend and it was one she enjoyed greatly.

The 20-year-old didn’t realise the historic moment at first, but very quickly showed why she’s so highly regarded on the field earning the respect of the players straight away.

“I had no idea, I was told there was hardly any females, but didn’t think much of it, and then I found out I was the first. It was quite surprising,” Lawne said.

“I didn’t know until a few days before that I was going to ref the A-Grade, so I got quite lucky.

“Darwin was so different to what we were expecting when we came up, and by that I mean for the better.

“The boys all had good attitudes and were there to play footy so it was easy for me to ref, wasn’t too challenging or anything.

“If I have the opportunity I would take it with both hands, I would love to come back up and give it another go.”

Olivia Lawne with the captains of Northern Sharks and South Darwin following the NRL NT A-Grade match.

Lawne took up refereeing at the end of 2015, at a time when the donning the whistle offered better opportunities in her region than playing.

Since she’s joined she’s since plenty of growth in the referee department at Parramatta particularly when it comes to female participation, and she wants to see similar happen in the NT.

“I was originally a player but took up refereeing because there was better pathways,” Lawne said.

“Female participation is growing. I’ve seen it grow over the years. When I started there was only one other but now there are six or seven girls down here and I would love to see it grow in the NT.

“Give it a go, that’s what I did. I wasn’t 100 per cent sure at first, but once I got started I just loved it straight away.

“It’s something a little outside of the comfort zone especially when it’s mostly a boy’s sport, but so rewarding when you get into it.”

NRL NT general manager Tony Crowe said it was a great opportunity for Lawne to come up and show other pathways for females in the sport.

“It was extremely important opportunity to have her up, it represents the opportunities rugby league presents to the girls,” Crowe said.

“A lot of focus around pathways is on the players, but one important aspect of the game is on match officials whether it’s the linesmen or the referee

We’ve got opportunities in the game for the girls that are no different to the boys, and seeing a female ref in the A-grade is something I want to see more of.”

Strong wins for Sharks and Sistaz

NORTHERN Sharks extended their NRL NT A-Grade unbeaten run, while youth shone in another dominant win for the Darwin Sistaz.

The reigning premiers have yet to concede a game in 2022 and their bout against South Darwin was no different racing to a strong 46-0 win in the first ever A-Grade game to have a female referee.

The platform was set almost straight away, despite a botched kick-off, as the side used their forward power and strike runners to set up the first try down the left wing.

Souths were invigorated by the quick points concession and showed plenty of guts and attack with Josh Johnson, George Mallis and Ankin Lewis popping up in more than one dig for the line.

And even on defence they showed they were eager to play, and score, despite the difference in experience with Moses Niki doing his bit in the tackle.

But it was a dominant Sharks who had the day with their big runners such as Adam Hall and Jacob McCarthy bulldozing their way through for tries.

Lachie Wright, Cooper Segeyaro, Mitchel Burke, Damien Mick, Clint Chettle and Carlos Snasbrook-Murray also nabbed a try each.

Dakota Marsh playing for a dominant Northern Sharks outfit. Picture: Glenn Campbell

Coach PD Downes called it pleasing to keep the undefeated streak alive in a game dedicated to their one of their founding members Karin Hounslow, who passed away on June 7.

“This game was in dedication to Karin, it wasn’t pretty at times, but it was good to get to dedicate this to her,” Downes said.

“For us it’s always about the team effort and this game was no different, everyone contributed to get the job done and we’re just growing as a team.”

Meanwhile, Darwin Brothers enjoyed a hefty 66-12 win over Nightcliff Dragons and their female counterparts Darwin Sistaz enjoyed a similarly dominant 46-0 defeat of Nightcliff.

The Sistaz have been the benchmark side of the Women’s contest for some time and another injection of young players has only increased their depth.

The match-up didn’t start as lopsided with Sistaz only going to the half 12-0 up as Nightcliff dug in to fend off the onslaught.

But the floodgates opened in the second term with tries coming from all angles including Janna Ransome, Tayla Garling, Layla Russell and Erica Kurnoth.

Tyla Kingdon has been in fine form for the Darwin Sistaz. Picture: Glenn Campbell

Tyla Kingdon, Cassiela Wapau and Elie Niki also fought their way onto the scoreboard contributing many a rampaging run, while captain Ivana Schober chipped in more than one dominant tackle.

“The scoreboard didn’t reflect the effort both teams put in, we came away with the win, but we still have plenty to build on,” Schober said.

“The younger girls definitely make an impact on the field. It’s great to have a mix of experience and youth coming through that will be our future.

“Going forward it’s about working on our structure and communication. We’re a close team already so we’re just working on our talk and putting pressure on their defence.”

Originally published as Northern Sharks stormed to another win for their milestone men Damien Mick and Tom Gunn