Roach rapt with defence as Nightcliff piles on the points in big victory

DESPITE scoring 56 points against Brothers on Friday night, Nightcliff’s defence was what impressed coach Daniel Roach.

Having conceded 34 points against Katherine in Round 9, the Dragons talked midweek about tightening up their middle. And that’s exactly what happened against the Brethren.

Roach’s troops conceded only 12 points, with all of Brothers’ three tries coming out wide.

“I couldn’t have been happier with the effort the boys put in (on Friday night),” Roach told the NT News.

“Brothers didn’t score up the middle the whole game, which I was really impressed with considering last week against Katherine.

“We spoke at training about the Katherine game. It was our attitude, we weren’t there to tackle.

“But we went out (on Friday night) and it was unreal.

“I was impressed with our defensive numbers and how we got up off the line.”

Due to Quincy Too’ Too’Ulugia relocating to Victoria, Brad Sneddon stepped into the five-eighth role against Brothers, and finished with four tries. Roach said it was a huge performance from the pivot, who had missed the first six weeks of competition because of work commitments.

“He slotted in really well,” Roach said of Sneddon.

“In his first game against Palmerston (in Round 7), he was thrown in the deep end.

“But he’s been back at training now and has since slotted in perfectly.

“He’s back raring to go and it couldn’t have come at a better time, considering we have lost Quincy.”

Nightcliff plays the Northern Sharks in Round 11.