The Sydney Swans re-wrote the history books on Friday night with a 24-point victory over NT Thunder at TIO Stadium.
The margin never grew beyond two goals throughout the first three quarters before the Swans nailed home five of the final six goals of the game to seal the 16.12 (108) to 13.8 (84) victory.
Friday night’s clash broke Sydney’s hoodoo in the Top End, marking their first victory in Darwin in the NEAFL’s seven season history. Their previous six encounters in the Northern Territory returned average margins of 39.8 points against the harbour city’s team.
Untidy play marred the opening term as both teams made costly mistakes adjusting to the tempo of the game. The Thunder raced away to a twelve-point lead midway through the first quarter; largely through fast transition through the midfield.
Their two-goal lead was short-lived, however, with the Swans posting two quick goals from direct Thunder turnovers and closing the margin to eight points at quarter-time.
A goal to Nick Yarran in the early minutes of the second quarter reaffirmed the Thunder’s double-digit lead, yet disposal error continued to be their downfall.
The second term was dominated by the Swans, who piled on four goals to two to swing the momentum in their favour. Their control was rewarded by a seven-point lead at the main break.
Many of the Swans’ AFL-listed personnel were among their best, such as Aliir Allir who was a rock in a sweeping role in defence, but it was their academy talent who proved the biggest difference.
Harrison Carr and Sean Harlen, the latter who was making his NEAFL debut, were the main instigators in the fightback, providing consistent options inside fifty.
An embracing hug from former St Mary’s teammate Neil Vea Vea before the opening bounce set the scene for Shaun Edwards’ Darwin homecoming, which was cut short just before half-time with a shoulder injury.
The loss not only left the Swans without one of their best clearance midfielders, but also Sydney’s interchange rotations, who were down to three players on the bench.
Goals were traded and continued to flow in the third term, yet neither side was able to assert clear command on the game, with the Swans taking an eight-point lead into the final break.
With the game in balance, the Thunder rose, dominating the inside 50s in the first quarter, before they finally asserted their stronghold on the scoreboard through livewire Adam Sambono at the six-minute mark.
The Swans replied immediately through 2016 NEAFL Team of the Year member Colin O’Riordan, before NT put themselves in front once again through Sambono.
NT’s intensity and pressure was quickly matched by the Swans, who kicked five of the last six goals to close out the match.
Rookie Toby Pink led the charge with two of those majors – the first a skilful snap from deep into the pocket following by a booming 50m set shot.
Sydney ruckman Darcy Cameron produced a masterclass in the ruck against Neil Vea Vea, who was without Ryan Smith for the first time this year. The West Australian product continues to firm for an AFL debut after being taken with pick No.48 in the 2016 National Draft.
For the time being, Sydney will remain in third place on the ladder whilst the Northern Territory risk sliding to fifth if Gold Coast beat Sydney University on Saturday.
The Thunder remain at home next round, but face another crunch game against the similarly positioned Canberra, who will be fresh off a bye. Sydney face an equally tough challenge against the undefeated Brisbane at home.
SYDNEY 3.1 7.4 10.11 16.12 (108)
NT THUNDER 4.3 6.3 10.3 13.6 (84)
GOALS – Sydney: J Mapelson 3 T Pink 2 S Harlen 2 T Leonardis 2 C O’Riordan M Lower O Florent W Gowers H Carr J Dawson D Cameron. NT Thunder: A Sambono 4 S Rioli 2 D Ewing 2 N Yarran 2 H Drogemuller K Emery.
BEST – Sydney: D Towers T Pink O Florent A Aliir H MacDonald. NT Thunder: C Ilett N Vea Vea A Sambono S Smith D Weetra S Rioli.
