AFTER a tight first half, Vic Country has prevailed against Northern Territory, running out 52-point winners at Casey Fields.

Despite a good start, Northern Territory could not keep up the momentum after half time, as Vic Country kicked nine goals to the NT's one in the second half to record their third win of the championship, 13.10 (88) to 5.6 (36).

After Vic Country kicked the first two goals of the match, the NT hit back, with Roland Ah Chee prominent through the midfield and Dean Staunton lively up forward.

Despite NT opening up a two-goal lead early in the second term, Vic Country took a one-point lead to the main break. Key forward John Butcher provided the spark for Vic Country, taking two strong marks and kicking one goal, while Gary Rohan had an excellent term across half-forward.

The third term belonged to Vic Country, with Butcher again providing a target as teammates Jack Weston and Andrew Hooper controlled play off the half-back flank.

Dean Gordon was the standout for the Territory side, amassing plenty of the ball across half-back.

Northern Territory only managed a single behind in the last term, as Allen Christensen and Hooper exerted their dominance around the stoppages.

Vic Country had an injury scare in the last quarter, with Shane Page stretchered off with a shoulder injury. Despite not being as serious as first thought, he remains in doubt for Wednesday’s encounter against Western Australia at Docklands.

Vic Country     2.0   4.5   8.7   13.10 (88)
Northern Territory     2.2   4.4   5.5   5.6 (36)

GOALS
Vic Country: Astbury 2, Hooper 2, Butcher 2, Christensen 2, McMillan-Pittard, Rohan, Martin, Cunningham, Garbowski
Northern Territory: May, Staunton, T. Taylor, Reid, Ah Chee

BEST
Vic Country: Christensen, Hooper, Butcher, Cunningham, Astbury, Bastinac
Northern Territory: Gordon, S. Taylor, Heenan, McAdam, Ah Chee, Baxter

The views in this article are those of the author and not necessaril those of the clubs or the AFL.