DEMONS PILE ON PAIN FOR NT
A GALLANT NT Thunder went down to the Canberra Demons by six points at TIO Stadium last night in a thrilling contest, despite six goals from spearhead Darren Ewing.
Ewing ignited Thunder by booting four majors in the third quarter, allowing the home side to reverse an 11point deficit and go into the final term leading by one point.
Thunder should have gone into the three-quarter-time break with a bigger lead, but inaccurate kicking saw it kick 5.8 for the term compared to the visitors’ 4.1.
The Demons’ efficiency allowed them to stay in the contest and they ran over the top of the Territory side in the final stanza, kicking three goals to two to finish close victors.
Thunder coach Andrew Hodges said while he was pleased with his side’s improved effort, he was disappointed not to come away with a win against the ladder-leading Demons.
“We felt we were really unlucky,” he said.
“The last quarter we were down to one on the bench, we had a couple of concussions, an achilles with Taylah Saunders, Tim Brook was at 50 per cent with his groins and Liam Patrick broke his finger.
“It was disappointing but I thought the boys’ effort and attitude was much improved.”
“Boof” Ewing kicked 6.4 for the match and was arguably Thunder’s best player, while midfielders Abe Ankers (25 possessions) and Joe Anderson (17 disposals and seven marks) continued their excellent seasons.
Defender Sam Smith (seven marks) was at his intercepting best down back, while Patrick impressed for periods in the ruck and up forward.
The Rioli brothers, Shannon and Ben, also found plenty of the pill with 50 touches between them.
Hodges lamented his side’s inability to capitalise on its third quarter dominance.
“I think we kicked 5.8 in that third quarter and if we kicked straight we would have put ourselves in a really good position,” he said.