Thunder quick to wield axe By GREY MORRIS Prior’s effort TERRITORY Thunder selec- PUB: tors have wielded the axe fol- shows the way lowing last week’s 18-point loss to Southport. NT NEWS Jerry Wilson, Kelvin THE way you measure suc- strong Lions outfit. Darren Williams and Hermanns- cess is how you handle disap- Ewing was deservedly burg’s Aaron Sharpe have pointment. judged best on ground for us all been omitted after the To say we were disap- last weekend, winning the Sharks feasted on a lethargic pointed last week would be Lord Mayor’s Medal. The Thunder at Traeger Park in an understatement. Quite great thing about Darren’s Alice Springs. simply we did not play well win was that it wasn’t about DATE: Big-leaping forward Will enough and will be looking to how many goals he kicked, Farrer (knee soreness), Tavis handle the disappointment but simply how hard he was Perry and Kieran Smith will in the way we prepare and willing to work for his team- also miss. perform this weekend. mates and the positive man- 13-APR-2012 But several experienced Simple skill errors and a ner in which he did so. players will return to the side, mental approach that again The big challenge we have including Gove key position allowed our opposition to get is to ensure we produce a player Kevin Vearncombe, a head start on us, with team that understands and Centralian Matt Rosier, Southport kicking the first works for each other on the Narby Kelly and Paddy five goals of the game. park each week. Something Heenan. They are areas that have that does have its difficulties Nightcliff grand final pair been addressed this week in when on occasions players Ashley Duncan and Nathan our readiness to hit the Bris- are meeting for the first time PAGE: Brown are expected to play bane Lions with everything the morning of the game. their first games in a Thunder we have right from the first jumper. bounce. Long-term outs include Some real positives, as al- 50 ruckman Kenrick Tyrrell ways, can still definitely be (foot, 2-3 weeks); utility drawn from the encounter, COLOR: Austin Wonaeamirri (ankle, in particular the perform- 4-6 weeks); Josh Chaplin ance of a number of the Cent- INPEX best under-23 (shoulder, 2-3 weeks), de- ralians who were provided player: fender Shannon Rusca (foot, with the opportunity to re- Each week head 3-4 weeks) and defender present the Territory at coach Daniel Archer awards Shaun Tapp (hip, 7 weeks). home in Alice Springs. None 3, 2 and 1 votes to the best U23 player. A cash award of C Highly rated Mt Liebig util- more so than big man Jayden ity Stanley Long-Turner will Prior, whose effort and en- $500 will go to the player M with the most votes at the play his first game for Thun- Nathan Brown, pictured here in action for Nightcliff, is expected to make his debut for NT thusiasm were noticed and end of the season. Y der after being named an Thunder tomorrow against the Brisbane Lions reserves rewarded by his teammates. Rd 3: 3 votes Ben Rioli; 2 votes emergency last weekend. We will be looking for Jayden Prior; 1 vote Jack McEwin. K Long-Turner, 18, starred for can bounce back after our last week. However, it is our been named in the squad for more within the team to fol- Progressive: Jed Anderson 5, Division 2 champions Kintore first loss of the season,’’ coach offence that we really need to this weekend’s game, includ- low his lead this weekend in Ben Rioli 4, Jack McEwin 4, Damian Williams 2, Patrick Heenan 1, Jayden in the Alice Springs Easter Daniel Archer said. improve leading into the ing the returning Matt Rosier regards to enthusiasm and Prior 1 Carnival last week. ‘‘Our defensive game game this week.’’ who missed last weekend due support for teammates when ‘‘We’re confident that we showed signs of improvement Six more Centralians have to work commitments. taking the field to face the Territory Thunder v Brisbane Lions reserves Saturday, April 24 at Traeger Park, Alice Springs, 3.20pm Lion cubs on ‘learning curve’ By GREY MORRIS goals. They’re two players in our side I expect to push NT THUNDER BRISBANE LIONS BRISBANE coach Nathan hard for senior selection Clarke expects a hostile this season. B: Ben Rioli Jason Roe Damien Williams (Jr) B: Stephen Wrigley Sam Michael Rohan Bewick environment for his young ‘‘Patrick played 11 AFL HB: Ashley Duncan Julian Lockwood Lachlan Argus HB: Niall McKeever Justin Clarke Patrick Karnezis Lions when they pounce into games last season when he C: Braedon McLean Brad Vassal Jack McEwin C: Josh Dyson Aaron Cornelius Richard Newell Alice Springs today. was the club’s rookie of the HF: James Hawksley Callum Bartlett Brad Harvey HF: Cameron Illett Chris Dunne Jed Anderson The Lions have won their year — and he should be right F: Stanley Long-Turner Darren Ewing Kevein F: Mitchell Golby Jordan Lisle Jack Crisp Vearncombe Foll: Ben Hudson Sam Sheldon Elliot Yeo first two matches this season to go when he gets a bit of Foll: Jayden Prior Jake Dignan Matt Rosier Int: Patrick Wearden Joshua Green David Cummins to be one of only three un- fitness back. Int (from): Narby Kelly Nathan Brown Jack Lawler Jai Alexander Kitching Cheynee Stiller beaten sides in the NEAFL’s ‘‘But we’ve got a very young Pumphrey Paddy Heenan Paul Campbell Gareth Remf- northern conference. list, second behind UWS, so rey Dean Staunton But that could all change it’s all a big learning curve for when they meet a rebound- us and this trip to Alice ing Territory Thunder in Springs is part of that.’’ the Round 4 clash at Clarke is flying the Lions Traeger Park. squad into Alice Springs a NEAFL — ROUND 4 ‘‘We expect a tough game day earlier than normal to against the Thunder, who — give the players a taste of pre- Northern Conference — Saturday, April 14: Southport v Mt Gravatt at Fankhauser Reserve, 1.30pm; like us — don’t like losing,’’ match preparation away from Aspley v Labrador at Graham Rd, 1.30pm; Broadbeach v Redland at H&A Oval, 1.30pm; NT Thunder v Clarke said. the Gabba. Brisbane Lions Reserves at Traeger Park, 3.20pm; Gold Coast Suns Reserves v Morningside at Metricon ‘‘But we’re playing some ‘‘We’ll be full-on,’’ Clarke Stadium, 3.30pm. good footy. Patrick Karnezis said. ‘‘We’re taking a party of Eastern Conference — Saturday, April 14: Ainslie v Sydney Swans Reserves at Ainslie, 11.45am; was very good off half-back 41 players and support staff Tuggeranong v Sydney University at Greenway, 2pm. Sunday, April 15: GWS Giants Reserves v Sydney against UWS last week and over there and will stay on Patrick Karnezis is in good Hills Eagles at Blacktown, 9am; Queanbeyan v Eastlake at Dairy Farmers Stadium, 2pm. Aaron Cornelius is kicking after the game.’’ form for the Lions 50 NT NEWS. Friday, April 13, 2012. www.ntnews.com.au.