By Peter (Parra) Montgomery

The Albury Thunder first grade team wrapped up the fifth position in the Group 9 semi-finals, with a thumping 78-6 victory over Wagga Brothers at Greenfield Park on Saturday.

The Thunder posted 14 tries in the match with Isaac Carpenter and Robert Meeks each crossing four times, with tough as teak centre Jackins Olam bagging a double.

The Thunder went into the match in sixth position, on equal competition points with South City Bulls, but behind on percentages by 12 plus points.

It didn’t take long for the Thunder to score the additional twelve points and draw level with the Bulls, with tries to half-back Sam Lulia, five-eight Paul Karaitana, and live-wire hooker Meeks scoring touch-downs in the opening 16 minutes.

The Thunder made a few positional changes due to injuries before kick-off with Isaac Carpenter moving from the back row to right edge centre, Meeks coming off the bench to starting hooker,

Clayton Coulay moving back into right edge back rower, and reliable Zain Mitchell-Dowding moving into prop.

The Thunder lost back rower Ben Lee with a severe shoulder injury (broken collarbone), and he went off early in the first half and his season is over.

Lee missed the early part of the season with a leg injury, and had been in good form prior to his latest injury.

Prop Nathan Darby who was causing the Brothers pack plenty of worries with his tough running, limped off in the second half with a knee injury, but he was walking after the game and should be right for the semi-final eliminator against Wagga Kangaroos on Saturday.

Sabastian Nelson was a late withdrawal but will be available for selection next weekend.

By half-time the Thunder had opened up a 38-4 lead, with Brothers hard working prop Apenisai Driti scoring a well deserved try.

Driti, solidly built, is a very handy player, and just the type Brothers could use as a ‘foundation’ for a team rebuild in 2025.

Paul Karaitana was outstanding for the Thunder. He had a dominant game with his accurate kicking game, decisive carries with the ball, and the vision to create opportunities for better placed players.

Karaitiana has built up a terrific combination with fullback Lachy Munro who has that ‘sixth sense’ to be in the right place at the right time when Karaitana chooses to turn the ‘on button’ on.

Jeremy Wiscombe, at lock, continues to impress. He has been consistently one of the best Thunder players all season.

He is like an Energizer Bunny, he just goes, and goes, and goes, never far off the ball.

Keanau Wighton posted 18 points to take his season tally to 102, and he scored a good try off a Carpenter break.

The form of Carpenter in the centres gives Thunder selectors a ‘good’ headache to consider before naming the semi-final teams for next weekend.

He has scored four tries in each of the matches he has featured in the centres, and his size, pace, and ability has caused opponents plenty of worries.

BEST FOR THUNDER – Kariatana, Meeks, Wiscombe, Carpenter, Munro, Olam.

BEST FOR BROTHERS – Driti, Saunders.

ALBURY THUNDER 78 (Isaac Carpenter 4, Robert Meeks 4, Jackins Olam 2, Sam Lulia, Paul Kariatana, Keanau Wighton, Chris Manley tries Wighton 7, Jade Duroux 4 goals) defeated WAGGA BROTHERS 4 (Apenisai Driti try Darmath Saunders goal)