NT Thunder wins NEAFL Grand Final

NT Thunder is the inaugural North East Australian Football League champion following their 22-point victory over Ainslie in Saturday’s Grand Final at Traeger Park, Alice Springs.

In perfect conditions, Thunder claimed their second premiership in as many weeks following their 98-point northern conference grand final win last weekend.

It was a fitting end to a highly successful year in the new northern states pre-eminent second-tier competition with the two best teams playing out a first-rate and entertaining match in front of a lively crowd.

Only eight points separated the two sides heading into the fourth quarter but the Thunder had too much skill and experience in the 16.18 (114) to 13.14 (92) win.

Thunder’s Cameron Ilett was the standout for the match taking home the Andrew Ireland medal for best on ground which was presented to him by the Sydney Swans’ chief executive himself.

NEAFL was established to improve the standard and profile of Australian football in NSW, ACT, QLD and NT, which it has initially achieved to stunning results.

The reach of the competition is highlighted by the eight cities – Alice Springs, Darwin, Brisbane, Cairns, Canberra, Sydney, Newcastle and Wagga Wagga – that hosted the 160 home-and-away matches during the year.

Seventeen clubs took part this year, including the Sydney Swans, GWS Giants, Brisbane Lions and Gold Coast Suns reserve sides. This will grow to 19 teams in 2012 when AFL Sydney’s East Coast Eagles and Sydney University join the eastern conference.

Ainslie got off to the better start in the Grand Final kicking the first two goals of the match through Ben Hughes and Nick Paine before Thunder registered a score.

NT finally got on the scoreboard through Darren Ewing before the Tricolours hit back to push out to a 17-point lead.

As the quarter progressed, Thunder started to find plenty of the football with former Adelaide Crow Andrew McLeod lifting his side with a running goal from beyond the 50 metre arc.

With only six points separating the two sides going into the second quarter the Tricolours picked up where they left off with Michael Lawless kicking his second goal of the match early in the term.

With the momentum behind them, Ainslie piled on the points as Marcus Crook kicked his second then Lawless his third.

As they did in the first quarter, the Thunder slowly clawed back the deficit and some soccer-style magic for Darren Ewing’s third goal inspired his team to a three-point lead at halftime.

The two sides traded behinds for the majority of the third term as the contest stopped from being a free-flowing high scoring match to become a real arm wrestle.

Ainslie’s Aaron Vandenberg finally broke through with a hard-fought goal midway through the term to put his side back into the lead.

It was short-lived however as Cameron Ilett kicked his second for the match which was quickly followed up by a major to Ryan Smith to put the Thunder out to an eight-point lead at three-quarter-time.

The stage was set for a grand finish from either side to win the maiden Cup and that’s exactly what eventuated.

Thunder clicked into gear early in the term as Ewing kicked his fourth major then Will Farrer soared as high as he has all year to kick his side out to a three goal lead.

Despite a gallant effort to get back into the contest by Ainslie, the Thunder’s skill and experience was too good in the end to win the inaugural NEAFL Grand Final by 22 points.

NT Thunder 5.4   9.10   11.14   16.18 (114)
Ainslie 6.4   9.7   10.12   13.14 (92)

GOALS
NT Thunder: D Ewing 5, A McLeod 3, W Farrer 3, C Ilett 2, J Dignan, R Tungatalum, R Smith
Ainslie: M Lawless 3, M Crook 3, N Paine 2, B Hughes 2, A Vandenberg, D Walker, C Mathis