NORTHERN Knights have been a really solid defensive side this season, ranking sixth overall, above their eighth placed position on the TAC Cup table. The Knights have generally enjoyed low-scoring tussles, always competitive against the top sides, including a draw against Gippsland Power in Morwell – one game they would be disappointed not to come away with the four points. They look likely to finish in the top eight and take on a bottom eight side in the Wildcard Round, looming as most likely GWV Rebels or Geelong Falcons.

Wins: 5
Losses: 8
Draws: 1
Position: 8th
Points For: 843 (9th)
Points Against: 973 (6th)
Percentage: 87
Points: 22

Fixtures:

R15: vs. Western Jets – Avalon Airport Oval
R16: vs. Murray Bushrangers – Norm Minns Oval

National Combine Invitations: [1] Tom McKenzie

State Combine Invitations: [1] Justin McInerney

The Knights unfortunately had the least combine invitations of any club, with a total of two players heading to testing at national or state combines. The fact that just the two being invited yet the Knights are mid-table shows the depth of the squad they have, and the ability to match it with most other sides due to their evenness. They also have a really talented core of bottom-agers which is set to light up the TAC Cup next season. Josh D’Intinosante, Ryan Gardner, Lachlan Potter, Ryan Sturgess and Adam Carafa lead a host of 16-17 year-olds who will benefit from playing at TAC Cup level in their bottom-age years. Along with top-agers Tom McKenzie and Justin McInerney, the Knights have enough about them to cause headaches for the top sides in finals.

Top Fives:

Disposals:

1 – Josh D’Intinosante – 237 (28th overall)
2 – Sam Philp – 220
3 – Joel Randall – 202
4 – Ryan Gardner – 200
4 – Ryan Bowkett – 200

Marks:

1 – Joel Randall – 67 (10th overall)
2 – Stefan Uzelac – 61
3 – Sunny Brazier – 49
4 – Ryan Sturgess – 48
5 – Ryan Bowkett – 46

Contested Possessions:

1 – Sam Philp – 139 (9th overall)
2 – Josh D’Intinosante – 136 (10th overall)
3 – Sunny Brazier – 105
4 – Braedyn Gillard – 85
5 – Brody Bell – 81

Tackles:

1 – Josh D’Intinosante – 67 (eq. 14th overall)
2 – Sunny Brazier – 51
3 – Sam Philp – 46
4 – Brody Bell – 45
5 – Patrik Della Rocca – 39

Hitouts:

1 – Thomas Hallebone – 175 (9th overall)
2 – Nicholas Barro – 111
3 – Nathan Howard – 59
4 – Zachary Hudson – 42
5 – Patrik Della Rocca – 22

Clearances:

1 – Sam Philp – 47 (14th overall)
2 – Braedyn Gillard – 41
2 – Josh D’Intinosante – 40
4 – Brody Bell – 34
5 – Adam Carafa – 27

Inside 50s:

1 – Josh D’Intinosante – 38 (eq. 37th overall)
2 – Sam Philp – 29
3 – Sunny Brazier – 28
4 – Ryan Bowkett – 24
5 – Adam Carafa – 23
5 – Harrison Grace – 23

Rebounds:

1 – Ryan Gardner – 46 (4th overall)
2 – Ryan Sturgess – 41 (7th overall)
3 – Stefan Uzelac – 39 (eq. 10th overall)
4 – Mitch Wild – 36
5 – Joel Randall – 35

Goals:

1 – Sunny Brazier – 16 (eq. 13th overall)
2 – Josh D’Intinosante – 15
3 – Patrik Della Rocca – 12
3 – James Lucente – 12
5 – Ryan Bowkett – 11