FIERY DRAGONS ROAST BUNNIES
Nightcliff ins key to Chico Motlop Shield win
A NIGHTCLIFF Dragons side full of key ins showed intensity and forward power to pull of a big win over South Darwin in the 2022 edition of the Chico Motlop Shield.
The Dragons kept their grip on the hotly contested shield for another year with a 66-6 win over a Rabbitohs side undergoing a rebuild.
As usual the shield was played at high pace and high intensity in honour of the man who had brought success to both clubs as a player and a coach.
It was Nightcliff, full of key inclusions including Tyrone Nona and Dain Smith, that pulled off the result after a few weeks where playing depth had let the club down.
Chico’s grandson Brenton Motlop set the tone pulling off the first try of the piece to get his Dragons under way. And thereafter it was their powerful forwards, key bench switches and the boot of 2021 Frank Johnson medallist Robbie Butcher which saw the side through.
“It was a good hit out. We had a few big ins back in which allowed us to switch players more efficiently which is a luxury we haven’t been afforded,” Butcher said.
“This game means a lot to both clubs and we definitely set it as one of the markers to retain the shield for another year.”
Butcher was also named best on ground following another big performance bringing his hard running, composure and kicking tactics to the fray.
Outside him David Tabuai scored a hat-trick and Jayden Jones crossed the line twice, as did Sione Tongia.
Joel Kidd, Zak Mott, Rodney Merritt and Nona all settled for one try each alongside the early Motlop score to set their side up nicely for the win.
“I’d like to think my job was pretty easy because our forwards did all the work,” Butcher said. “When you’ve got the big fellas going forward up the middle it makes everyone else’s job a hell of a lot easier. This game showed what we’re capable of when we’ve got the personnel on the day.
“We had a real focus on our completion rates, which is something we haven’t been able to do, we were just able to work off the back of our forwards.
“It’s probably our best showing yet and probably the best team we’ve had
on tthis season to date, so it was good for the boys to build that confidence together..”