The weeds have been pulled from the competition and we should expect some high quality matches from this point of the competition. This will be the first time the Thunder will play at home in the Foxtel Cup, while for East Perth this will be their first away match in the series.
The Thunder (QAFL fifth in 2010) are playing an exciting brand of football this year and the inclusion of former Adelaide Crows premiership player Andrew McLeod will add a touch of class to the side for this match against East Perth.
In contrast, East Perth (WAFL third in 2010) have fallen a little by the wayside this season in the WAFL, making this clash a mouthwatering prospect for the keen football follower.
The Thunder are probably a class above the rest of the NEAFL this season, going undefeated to date, while East Perth have dropped to sixth having lost four in a row before winning last week.
(As a fun aside, the Royals played the WAFL Thunder two weeks ago and lost, hopefully for them it is not some sort of omen.)
I predict a close match, given the form of both sides and the fact that the Thunder, with McLeod driving them, are a touch above the other sides from non-traditional heartland states.
I am tipping the upset win here with the Thunder to run out victors.
Foxtel Cup: Round 2 preview
Northern Territory Thunder versus East Perth Royals:
Date: Sunday, May 29, 2011.
Time: 5.15pm.
Venue: TIO Stadium, Darwin (curtain raiser to Richmond versus Port Adelaide).
Weather: Dry and sunny. Max 29, Minimum 16.
Broadcast: Live on Fox Sports 1 HD, 5.30pm.
Webcast: Live on Thundervision 5.15pm.
Foxtel Cup form guide – Round 1 matches:
NT Thunder beat Morningside at AAMI Stadium, Adelaide.
East Perth beat Nth Ballarat at Pattersons Stadium, Perth.
Local form guide:
NT Thunder (NEAFL) – played eight, won eight – 1st on NEAFL ladder.
East Perth (WAFL) – played nine, won three, lost six – 6th on WAFL ladder.
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