On Saturday 13th June the Northern Knights came up against the Northern Territory at TIO Stadium in Darwin for their Round 10 TAC Cup clash. Having flown out of Melbourne late Thursday night, the Knights boys were given some time on Friday to adjust to the hot conditions they would be faced with. With the match being played at 3:30pm local time the weather would be far different to what the Northern team would used to in Melbourne. Once the game got underway it was the Knights who got the early jump on NT with a six goal opening quarter. Bailey Jordan was looking a dominant force up forward and Michael Ercolano was lively through the midfield. Unfortunately for the Knights, NT was able to hit back in the second term and the two teams were only separated by a point going into the main break. After half time conditions started to take their toll on both sides, with the game becoming a real arm wrestle. Some inaccuracy in front of goal from NT allowed the Knights to stay right in touch heading into the final stanza just five points behind. The last quarter continued to be tough and draining on players as the two fought out the match right to the end. A late goal from NT sealed their win by 10 points in the closing moments.
Bailey Jordan was judged best a field for Northern with four goals, while Michael Ercolano gathered 32 possessions through the midfield and kept working hard all game. Darcy Macpherson made his long awaited return from Pre-season shoulder surgery and was among the Knights best, while bottom-age players Mason Blakey & Corey McKay both played well. Especially encouraging for Northern was the form of U/16 player Ethan Penrith in just his second game of TAC Cup, he acquitted himself well and was also among the best Knights players for the game.
This weekend the Northern Knights host the Western Jets on Sunday 21st June at Preston City Oval. With some players returning from injury/unavailability this is a great chance for the Knights to post a win against the bottom team on the TAC Cup ladder.
Last Modified on 18/06/2015 16:55