The Rams 14.10 (94) defeated the Thunder 5.7 (37) in the 'dead-rubber' between the two second division sides. The title for this section will be decided in the second match at Carlton on Saturday between Queensland and Tasmania.
NSW/ACT entered its third match, having narrowly lost to Queensland by 16 points and Tasmania by 11 points respectively, but finished the tournament on a strong note, after it piled on 11 goals to three after quarter-time.
For Northern Territory, this year's carnival was a disappointing one, particularly as it had won two of the past three second division titles. It was the Thunder's third heavy loss from its three outings.
NSW/ACT's Adam Prior was best on ground, as booted seven goals for the match. He was the dominant forward, as he also finished with 13 marks. He had 11 scoring shots, as he also booted four behinds. Malcolm Lynch also chipped in with three majors.
James Bennett (27 disposals), Matt Fife (25), Kieren Jack (23) and Justin Kahlfeldt (22) combined for around 100 touches, while ruckman Sam Rowe won 30 hit outs in an impressive display.
Trevor Oliver capped off a fine carnival for Northern Territory, finishing with 22 possessions, while Nathan McLean had 17 touches. Thomas Motlop was his side's only multiple goalscorer with three goals.
NSW/ACT started in a blaze of glory when it posted the first three goals of the match to breakaway to an 18-point lead. A.Prior booted the opening two and looked threatening up forward for the Rams.
Having already suffered two 50-plus point thrashings in this year's championship, the signs looked ominous early for the Territory, but to its credit, the top-enders fought back with two in a row, pegging the margin back to six points at the first change.
The Rams took control for much of the second quarter, adding three in succession, to claim a 25-point lead at the 13-minute mark. But Aidan Hill's goal for the Northern Territory late in the term, kept the Thunder in touch at the long break.
Although the Thunder was still in reach at half-time, trailing by 20 points, the match was all but over at three quarter-time. NSW/ACT slammed five unanswered goals to runaway to a 49-point lead. Only T.Motlop's second goal reduced the deficit to 42 points heading into the final term.
NSW/ACT added a further three goals to one, rubbing further salt into the Northern Territory wound.
NORTHERN TERRITORY: 2.2 3.4 4.7 5.7 (37)
NEW SOUTH WALES/AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORY: 3.2 6.6 11.7 14.10 (94)
GOALS - Northern Territory: T.Motlop 3, Hill, N.McLean
NSW/ACT: A.Prior 7, Lynch 3, Addison, Bennett, Fife, Toussis
BEST - Northern Territory: Oliver, N.McLean, T.Motlop, Irwin, Hill, Stephensen
NSW/ACT: A.Prior, Bennett, Fife, Rowe, Lynch, Jack, Addison, Kahlfeldt
UMPIRES - Hay, Keating, Mills
At Optus Oval
