It was a NEAFL match for the ages as NT Thunder eclipsed defending premier the Brisbane Lions by a single point in a classic at TIO Stadium on Saturday night.
In a match full of momentum swings, the comeback kings, and a nail-biting finish, it was NT Thunder which triumphed 16.9 (105) to 15.14 (104).
The match started in typical Territory fashion, with five-time NEAFL leading goalkicker Darren Ewing kicking three of the first five goals of the match within 11 minutes.
His characteristic goalkicking feats were only interrupted by consecutive goals to Lions midfielder Ben Keays, who was a lone hand in keeping his side in the contest early.
By quarter-time, Thunder had burst out of the blocks to lead by 19 points in a quarter which saw 11 goals registered by the two sides.
It was more of an arm wrestle in the second in a quarter which would come back to haunt Brisbane, which booted a wasteful 2.7 to 2.1 to trail the home side by 19 points at half-time.
It was the third term which brought the Lions back in to the contest, thanks largely to a blistering start which produced four goals in eight minutes – including a third to Keays.
The Lions held on to the lead for the remainder of the quarter to set up an epic finish, as they went into the last change four points clear.
Tom Bell – among the best on the night with 33 disposals, nine marks, seven clearances and eight insides 50s – booted his second of the match to give the Lions some breathing space at the beginning of the last quarter.
But Thunder was never far away – a long bomb from outside 50 from captain Shannon Rioli restoring their lead after two minutes.
As the two sides traded goals, it came down to Tiwi Bombers star Dion Munkara to deliver the killing blow.
Playing his first NT Thunder match since 2010, Munkara’s fourth goal – a snap on the run from 40m out – put the Territorians in front by two points at the 26-minute mark.
Incredibly, the 26-year-old has kicked a goal in every one of his nine NT Thunder matches so far.
Jake Barrett had a chance to win the game from a set shot which sprayed wide as the clock passed 30 minutes, only moments before the siren rang to signal a famous NT Thunder victory.
Despite overwhelming winning the hit-outs 58-11, clearances 33-28, and inside 50s 56-45, it was NT Thunder who used their possession to effect.
Evergreen Cameron Ilett was superb off half-back with 28 disposals, a game-high 12 marks and nine rebound 50s, while Shannon Rioli collected 20 disposals and two goals.
Bell was ably supported by Captain Ryan Bastinac with 27 disposals, six inside 50s and a goal.
The Lions host Sydney in a Grand Final rematch next week, while NT Thunder travels to Brisbane to face Aspley.
NT Thunder v Brisbane at TIO Stadium
NT THUNDER 7.2 9.3 11.6 16.9 (105)
BRISBANE 4.1 6.8 11.10 15.14 (104)
GOALS – NT Thunder: D Munkara 4 D Ewing 3 P White 2 S Rioli 2 A Ankers C Williams R Tungatalum M Campbell J Stokes. Brisbane: B Keays 3 B Starcevich 3 T Bell 2 Z Bailey 2 C Ballenden R Bastinac C Beams C Lyons J Quint.
BEST – NT Thunder: C Ilett D Munkara P White R Kaine J Stokes S Rioli. Brisbane: L Dawson J Allison B Keays T Bell Z Bailey R Bastinac.
