The Northern Territory Thunder have continued their winning ways with a nail-biting 17.5.107 to 16.10.106 win over the Brisbane Lions Reserves at the Gabba.

The Lions Reserves were hungry for a win against the 3^rd ranked team after being convincingly defeated last time they met at TIO Stadium back in May. However the home side were severely undermanned with only 12 listed players lining up against the Northern Territory team. 

The Thunder dominated early in the first term with five goals to the Lions’ one, placing extreme pressure on the Lions backline. Brisbane struggled to get the ball moving forward as Northern Territory dominated in the ruck and won key centre clearances. The Lions managed to bounce back though and snagged 2 goals to close out the first quarter, trailing by 11 points. 

The second term saw a more even contest with both teams scoring a goal apiece in the first ten minutes. Jackson Paine was a constant threat up front and put a strong case forward for a recall to the senior side with his probing runs inside 50 and straight kicking.  Both teams continued to trade goal for goal late in the second term with Northern Territory leading by four points at the break. 

Scoring started quickly in the 3^rd quarter with Jordan Lisle slotting his 4^th goal for the day. The Thunder dominated possession for the next 10 minutes and added four unanswered goals to their total before momentum swung Brisbane’s way and they scored four of their own. The quarter ended on even terms to have the scoreboard locked up at 80 apiece. 

The competitiveness rolled over into the 4^th quarter with neither side willing to give the opposition any chances. The ball remained heavily contested for the majority of the final term with Jack Crisp playing well for the Lions by making crucial tackles under pressure. Northern Territory were up by one point when Brad Vassal managed to snap a goal from 40 metres out to put the hosts more than one straight kick from victory. Brisbane made a swift response with Jackson Paine scoring his 5th for the game bringing the Lions within one point with minutes to go. The score would remain unchanged however with the Northern Territory Thunder sneaking away with a one point victory. 

The Lions Reserves have a bye next week as they prepare to take on the Gold Coast Suns on the 26^th of July.

NT Thunder                 5.1       8.1       13.1     17.5  (107)
Lions Reserves            3.2       7.4       12.8     16.10  (106)

LIONS GOALS – Paine 5, Lisle 4, Crisp 2, Freeman 2, O’Brien, Robertson

LIONS BEST – O’Brien, Robertson, Crisp, Paine, Lisle