Northern Territory Football League Team Of The Year

NTFL TEAM OF THE YEAR BY JACKSON CLARK –

Twitter – @JClark182

https://www.facebook.com/ntfootball
B: Bowden – Anstess – Wanganeen
HB: D Munkara – Pettigrew – Dingo
C: S Rioli – Ilett – J Stokes
HF: G Turner – Farrer – Tungatalum
F: T Motlop – Ewing – Liddy
R: R Smith – Al Davey – W Rioli
INT: Meesen – Jetta – Patrick – Parfitt

 

Forward Pocket – THOMAS MOTLOP

Motlop has starred all year for Wanderers and will likely take out the Eagles’ Best & Fairest this season. He can make the spectacular look easy and will be a welcomed addition to the NT Thunder squad.

Full Forward – DARREN EWING

The competition’s most prolific goal kicker was an easy selection as the spearhead of the NTFL Team of the Year. Ewing has dominated Territory football for a number of years now and will once again lead the NT Thunder’s attack in 2015. The Dennis Dunn Trophy winner would have to be amongst the better performing full forwards outside of the AFL.

Forward Pocket – MATHIAS LIDDY

The former St Marys player has been terrific at the Tiwi Bombers this season. Liddy is one of the best set shots for goal in the competition and he hit a real purple patch of form late in the season highlighted by a 10-goal haul against Nightcliff.

Half Forward Flank – GIBSON TURNER

Turner started the season in electrifying form with Nightcliff. The former Richmond rookie was exceptional across half forward put could also push further down the ground. Unfortunately injuries have restricted him in the latter stages of the season.

Centre Half Forward – WILLIAM FARRER

Arguably the most exciting player in the competition when in full flight, Farrer has had a career-best season in the NTFL. A dominant 11-goal haul last weekend saw him fall just short of claiming the Dennis Dunn Trophy. Has one of the best vertical leaps you are likely to see from a footballer.

Half Forward Flank – ROSS TUNGATALUM

This man needs absolutely no introduction. “Rocco” has been a household name amongst NTFL circles for a number of years now. There is no doubting he has the skillset to play in the AFL and his speed and agility makes him arguably the most damaging player in the competition.

Wing – SHANNON RIOLI

Rioli has been one of the driving forces behind St Marys’ dominance this season. His ability to think his way through traffic and elite footskills hold him in high regard amongst the competition’s better players.

Centre – CAMERON ILETT (Captain)

Ilett epitomises everything you want in a footballer. Strong and hard over the football, skilful, solid overhead, courageous and a great leader. The NT Thunder skipper has had perhaps his best season in the NTFL, which is saying something considering the high standard he has left for himself.

Wing – JARROD STOKES

The Buffaloes speedster is one of the quickest players in the competition and he uses his speed to great effect. His run and carry and good finishing skills led to his side’s rise up the NTFL ladder during the middle stages of the season. Stokes is only 20 years old and has a bright future ahead of him.

 Half Back Flank – DION MUNKARA

The silky-skilled Tiwi Bomber has been excellent this season. His pin-point disposal allows him to be the go-to man in defence for the Bombers. His speed allows him to rebound well and he regularly turns defence into attack.

Centre Half Back – MICHAEL PETTIGREW

The former AFL player has slipped under the radar in the NTFL. Pettigrew had a slow start to footy in the Top End but now he is one of the more reliable players in the competition. He is a valuable member of Palmerston’s backline with his ability to win one on one contests and hit a target.

Half Back Flank – KEEGAN DINGO

Dingo is one of the more respected defenders in the competition. His height allows him to be an option on small and tall forwards and that versatility is what makes him so valuable. His attack on the ball is second to none and he has had a terrific season with the Crocs.

Back Pocket – MICHAEL BOWDEN

The Southern Districts youngster has been a stand out this season with his elite fitness and poise with the football. One of the most improved players in the competition, Bowden has elevated his status to one of the genuine star defenders in the competition.

Full Back – JOHN ANSTESS

The ever-reliable John Anstess has continued the form that has seen him as an integral member of eight St Marys premiership sides. He always takes the opposition’s best forward and very rarely is he beaten.

Back Pocket – DERICK WANGANEEN

The former Hawthorn player has only played eight games in the NTFL this season but has already had a huge impact at Nightcliff. Wanganeen’s run and skill from the backline will be a huge boost for the Tigers as they head into the finals.

Ruck – RYAN SMITH

The St Marys big man has been terrific this season. He has rare skill and poise for a big man and is more than serviceable around the stoppages. Smith celebrated his 100th game with the Saints this season and has signed with NT Thunder for 2015.

Ruck Rover – ALWYN DAVEY

Froggy Davey has led from the front all season for Palmerston. He attacks the football with ferocity and is a great user of the football. He plays hard for the jumper and was one of the main reasons Palmerston are continuing to improve as a club.

Rover – WILLIAM RIOLI

Rioli can make magic with the football. The dual St Marys premiership player joined the Bombers this season to play under his father and he has taken his football to another level. He is playing predominantly through the midfield and is gathering plenty of the football and using it to perfection. Could be a dark horse for the Nichols Medal.

INTERCHANGE:

JOHN MEESEN –

The Tiwi Bombers ruckman has been exceptional for his side when available. The former AFL player has provided the Bombers with plenty of size and experience and coach William Rioli Sr will be hoping he can have a huge impact in the finals.

LEROY JETTA –

It did not take long for Jetta to make his presence felt in the NTFL. The former Essendon player has been a stand out performer in nearly every one of his games for the Magpies this season. His goal from the centre of the ground against Southern Districts earlier in the season is still spoken about regularly.

LIAM PATRICK –

The Wanderers high flyer could be real wildcard for the Eagles in the finals. Patrick’s size and athleticism allows him to be dangerous in nearly all positions on the ground, which is a coach’s dream.

BRANDAN PARFITT –

It is doubtful that we have seen many 16-year-olds as impressive as Brandan Parfitt has been this season. He has shown amazing maturity for a player of his age and regularly produces big things during important moments.

This is the side I have come up with. Obviously there are plenty of good players that could easily slot into this team but there’s only room for 22. Some of the players that came into strong consideration but weren’t included were Kristian Papertalk, Torin Petrie, Tim Eldridge and Justin Wilson. Of course there are others that would have been just about certainties had they played a few more games such as Peter Macfarlane, Daniel Motlop, Aaron Davey, etc.

Club By Club Breakdown:

St Marys (5): Anstess, S Rioli, Ilett, Ewing, Smith
Tiwi Bombers (5): D Munkara, Tungatalum, Liddy, Rioli, Meesen
Nightcliff (3): Wanganeen, Parfitt, Turner
Southern Districts (3): Bowden, Dingo, Farrer
Palmerston (3): Al Davey, Jetta, Pettigrew
Wanderers (2): T Motlop, Patrick
Buffaloes (1): J Stokes
Waratah (0):

About Jackson Clark

Born and bred in Darwin, Northern Territory, I am a young, aspiring football writer that lives and breathes the game of Australian Football. I'm also a keen player and coach.

Comments

  1. Mark 'Swish' Schwerdt says
  2. No mystery about Cameron Ilett Swish. He’s been showing exceptional talent for the NT Thunder for a few years now. I’ve seen a few Thunder games in Brisbane – always fun to watch and the best club song going around.

  3. Jackson – Is the NT Thunder made up largely of the same players as on your Team of the Year list? Do some players not want to play footy 12 months of the year, or go down south to play in other comps in winter?
    How do the Thunder stack up in the NEAFL as I guess it gives us a guide to the standard?
    Love your work.

  4. YOU may have mentioned it already Jackson but as an infrequent visitor to the Knackery these days I could have missed it.
    How did Stephen Milne go in the Top End ?.
    He kicked 101 snag rolls for the Strathfieldsaye Storm in the Bendigo F.L.’s flag-winning side last September. He and former St. Kilda hard nut Steven Baker were in the Storm side and talk has it Lenny Hayes will have half a dozen gallops for Strath in 2015. Alongside his old mates.
    Not sure how many Darwin games Milney played. He has been suggested as a top-up player for Essendon in the early kick-and-giggle pre-season games due to start soon.

  5. Jackson Clark says

    NT Thunder are close to, if not the most talented side in the NEAFL. Basically the club’s travelling commitments can hinder their results a little but they’re always around the mark. It is prestigious playing for Thunder but the money is no where near what some of these blokes could make down south if they shopped themselves around.

    Hey Richard, Milney is a teammate of mine at St Marys and while he hasn’t dominated, I think the club would be happy with his output so far. He is playing his role well amongst an already talented forward line and is his usual dangerous self around the goals.

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