Photo: Solstice Digital
The Tasmania Devils will look to return to the winners list in round five of the NAB League Boys when they face the Northern Territory Thunder on neutral ground.
Date: Sunday 1 May, 2022 Time: 2:00 PM
Venue: Highgate Recreation Reserve, Melbourne
Broadcast: via Herald Sun website
The game will be streamed live from 2:00 PM via the Herald Sun and The Mercury, with the stream available on both websites. Fans will need to sign up for an account to tune in live.
Click here to access the live stream.
The Devils started their season but back-to-back wins but ran into a Sandringham juggernaut in round four. While that matchup ended in a tough loss, there were positives to take from the contest, namely a third quarter that saw the Devils pile on five goals and win the term. Will Splann led the way with three goals in the quarter, taking his tally to nine for the season, and he has formed an imposing forward group alongside Brandon Leary (seven goals) and Seth Campbell (five). They have helped the Devils to average nearly 80 points per game, which places them among some of the top teams in the NAB League.
The Thunder have endured a difficult start to their season, suffering back-to-back losses to Murray and Geelong. There were promising signs in their clash with the Falcons, though, as they kept the margin close throughout against an undefeated opponent and ultimately fell by just 31 points.
Last time they met
The Devils and Thunder met in round five last season, and it was Tasmania that prevailed with a comfortable 53-point win. Seth Campbell and Liam Jones both impressed with 16 disposals and a goal apiece, while Tom McCallum played forward and booted two goals of his own. For the Thunder, Riley Stone battled hard and led the game with six tackles.
Team news
There are two changes to Tasmania’s lineup from a week ago, with small defender Will Clifford returning from injury and Braidy Simpson also included. They will replace Nathaniel Sulzberger and Josh Rickard.
Key players
Tasmania Devils
Colby McKercher
McKercher has made a consistent start to his first NAB League season, tallying at least 17 disposals in each of Tasmania’s first three games. He was among the side’s best players against Sandringham, racking up 23 disposals and five tackles against quality opposition. With pace to burn and good skills by foot, he will be crucial in breaking the lines against a talented NT team.
Logan Elphinstone
The Thunder have struggled in the ruck so far this season, losing the hit-out count by 23 against Murray and nine against Geelong. That leaves the door open for Elphinstone to have a big impact in the middle of the ground. Tasmania’s 203-centimetre ruck has impressed around the stoppages this season, averaging 16.7 hit-outs per game and finishing with 22 against the Dragons last week. If he can give the Devils midfield first use at the stoppages, that will go along way towards a positive result.
Northern Territory Thunder
Lloyd Johnston
In a pair of tough games, Johnston has shown his ability to contribute across the board for the Thunder. He collected a team-high 19 disposals across the half-back line against Murray, before kicking two of his team’s eight goals a week later against the Falcons. Averaging six rebound-50s per game, he is a dangerous weapon for the Thunder and helps them to slingshot the ball forward out of their defensive half.
Riley Stone
Stone was a big reason that the Thunder were able to stay competitive against a talented Geelong side, with his work rate in the midfield unmatched. He finished the game with a team-high 17 disposals and kicked a goal in an impressive performance. A strong two-way runner with a willingness to help out in defence, his consistency will be key when battling against Tasmania’s midfield.