MONDAY APRIL 28 2014 SPORT 21 Swans hold Lions for narrow win Ankers’ form could Swans repelled a fast-finishing Brisbane for a thrilling one-point win in their clash in Mackay. No more than three goals separated the sides but it was the accurate Swans who led earn Thunder recall from start to finish to win 7.9 (51) to 6.14 (50). Jordan Lisle was in terrific By JORDAN McARDLE UWS Giants, thrived in Fed- phenomenal and you just don’t “I feel like I’m getting better not to want to be out there.” form for the Lions but it was NEAFL eral’s midfield against last come across players of his with every match at the Thun- Fellow Thunder-listed play- the class of Tom Mitchell and year’s grand final opponents quality very often,” he said. der,” he said. er Paul Campbell also had a three goals from Tim Medbury TEENAGE midfielder-for- Pioneer at TIO “Abe’s a talented young “I got in the best against the solid hit-out on Saturday, play- who led Sydney to victory. ward Abraham Ankers put his Oval on Saturday. man and we wish him all the Suns in Round 3 before playing ing a vital role in Pioneer’s sec- The GWS Giants remain in hand up for an NT Thunder He finished with 26 touches best with his representative NT Under-18s (against Vic ond win of the season. fourth place with a 60-point recall after a dominant per- in the 53-point loss including football this year.” Country) the following week. Campbell is yet to play an thrashing of Gold Coast. Har- formance in the Central Aus- 12 in last term, earning the Ankers felt his form was “Hopefully I can work my NEAFL match in 2014, but got ley Bennell, in his first match tralian Football League at the praise of Demons skipper Joe good in the past month, but ad- way back into the team, but it’s plenty of the ball and was back from a calf injury, starred weekend. Relic. mitted it would be tough going going to be hard the way we’re named in the Eagles’ best for with three goals in a best afield Ankers, who played the “We really enjoy having getting back into a star-stud- playing. the second time in three display during the 17.20 (122) to opening three matches in the him in our side when we can,” ded Thunder outfit sitting on “I was watching the live matches. 9.8 (62) win. NEAFL after making his sen- Relic said. top of the NEAFL ladder with stream of the Thunder game Thunder play Southport at Aspley snapped a three- ior debut in Round 1 against “As we saw on Saturday he’s an unblemished 5-0 record. on Friday night and it’s hard TIO Stadium this Saturday. match losing streak with a much-needed 15.10 (100) to 6.14 (50) victory over Quean- beyan in Canberra. Southport maintained equal second place on the NEAFL ROUND 5 ladder with Sydney after smashing Eastlake 22.18 (150) RESULTS to 2.9 (21). 7.9 (51) d Sydney University came 6.14 (50) from behind at three-quarter GWS Giants 17.20 (122) d time to beat Ainslie 14.7 (91) to Gold Coast 9.8 (62) 13.12 (90) in an epic contest, Southport 22.18 (150) d while Sydney Hills Eagles Eastlake 2.9 (21) broke through for their first Sydney University 14.7 (91) win of the season over Belcon- d Ainslie 13.12 (90) nen 16.17 (113) to 11.6 (72). Sydney Hills Eagles 16.17 (113) d Belconnen 11.6 (72) Aspley 15.10 (100) d Queanbeyan 6.14 (50) NEAFL LADDER ROUND 5

P W D L % Pts NT THUNDER 5 5 0 0 173.9 20 SYDNEY 5 4 1 0 222.4 16 SOUTHPORT 5 4 1 0 180.6 16 GWS GIANTS 4 3 1 0 160.7 12 REDLAND 4 3 1 0 142.33 12 SYDNEY UNI 4 3 1 0 129.35 12 Aspley 5 2 3 0 140.8 8 Ainslie 4 2 2 0 116.27 8 Brisbane 5 2 3 0 88 8 Sydney Hills 5 1 4 0 63.4 4 Queanbeyan 4 1 3 0 52.8 4 Eastlake 2 1 1 0 51.7 4 Gold Coast 5 0 5 0 45.7 0 Belconnen 4 0 4 0 38.2 0 Fitness key to NT’s new edge: Carse REDLAND co-captain Phil Carse admitted the Bombers were taught a lesson by NT Thunder in their top-of-the- table Anzac Day battle at TIO Stadium. The Territory side led by The stunning sunset as the NT Thunder and Redland players stand for the Last Post before their NEAFL Anzac Day clash at TIO Stadium on Friday night Picture: LIZ CRUISE just six points at quarter-time but did the damage with seven goals to one in the second period to set up a comfortable Rivals aim to lock in Anzac Day match 34-point win. Carse, 29, said the Territory were simply superior with their By JESS WEBSTER have clashed in the last four media attention and the sup- sational and something our tween the two clubs has the run and carry. NEAFL Anzac-themed rounds but this port of the service guys that supporters and members can potential to take the rivalry “They beat us at our own year was the first time the were involved with the pre- lock away every year.” even further. game,” he said. “They were just TERRITORY Thunder chief match was held on Anzac Day. match activities, we would cer- The rivalry continues to “Having the two teams line really good playing man on executive Jarred Ilett wants to Ilett said he will negotiate tainly love to hold it here in grow between Thunder and up and the Last Post played just man footy, gave us no options make their Anzac Day clash with the NEAFL and the Red- Darwin every year. Redland, who went into Friday made for a special night and I and forced us wide and then against Redland a permanent land Football Club to solidify “Redland have to weigh up night’s clash with an overall got goosebumps standing caused the turnover. I was real- fixture in the Top End. its place on the calendar. what’s in it for them and that’s win-loss record of 5-5. there,” he said. ly impressed with their fitness More than 1200 fans – their “At the end of the year where we may need to go to Thunder’s 34-point win “We have got a strong rival- this year compared to last year. biggest crowd since 2011 – at- when we submit our ‘wish list’ the negotiation table, but I over the Bombers means they ry with Redland and the stan- Their spread was fantastic.” tended Friday night’s show- for 2015 to the League we will think a solution could be ar- are the only undefeated side dard of competition in the Thunder remain the only down between the two certainly have this as part of ranged. left in the NEAFL competition NEAFL has well and truly el- undefeated side in the compet- undefeated sides. it,” he said. “If we could make it an an- this season. evated to a level of footy we ition following their win over NT Thunder and Redland “With the crowd we got, the nual event it would be sen- Ilett said the history be- haven’t ever seen before.” the Bombers. V1 - NTNE01Z01MA