Berto, Rusca, Sharples, et al, lead 61-strong train-on list
THE Northern Territory Football Club's training squad has a sizeable Indigenous contingent following the release yesterday of its 61-strong list.
The club, which will compete in the AFLQ State League (Division 1) from next year, has named 40 players from the Darwin-based NTFL and 21 from the Alice Springs-based AFL Central Australia competition. It has a blend of youth and experience.
Fairest-and-bests for the NTFL (Nichols Medal 2007/08) and AFLCA (Minahan Medal 2008), Warren Berto and Joe Cole, head up the squads.
Current NTFL table leaders St Mary's has provided the most players with nine, followed by Southern Districts with seven. Tiwi Bombers have five players included, led by the talented Roy Farmer.
The most notable omission from the initial squad, however, is celebrated Territorian Darryl White but as this is a preliminary squad, that could change.
The squad, listed in full below, will have players added to and withdrawn from as selectors see fit. Its current average age is 23.5 years.
NTFC coach Michael McLean said the chance to represent the Territory will be exciting for the players.
"This is an exciting opportunity for everyone involved and we're hoping to provide an environment for all players to improve their football while doing all Territorians proud," McLean said.
"For those with dreams of playing at a higher level, it is the perfect stepping stone and for a number of players the thought of representing the Northern Territory will be a lifelong dream."
The squad's first training session, initially held separately, will begin in the middle of next month.
NTFC training squad and their clubs of origin
AFL Central Australia
Centrals Anmatjere: Elli Briscoe, Kenny Morton, Vincent Stafford, Tristian Wako
Herrmannsberg: Franklin Anderson
Federals: Steven Brookes, Peter Rolfe
Pioneer: Andrew Baker, Dillon Measures, Geoff Miller jnr
Santa Teresa: Shane Mulladad, Darren Young
South Alice Springs: Shaun Cusack, Charlie Maher
Wests: Gilbert Fishook, Rory Hood, Josh Johnny, Scott Taylor
Yuendumu: Simon Fisher jnr, Nicholas Robinson, Christopher Walker
Northern Territory Football League
Darwin: Joe Cole, Deon Gordon, Dustin Pickett, Charlie Sharples, Phillip Wills
Nightcliff: Warren Berto, John Bonson, Michael Gugliotta, Jayden Kickett, Aaron Motlop
Palmerston: Mark Berts, Darren Ewing, Pierce Liddle
Southern Districts: Ben Ah Mat, Matt Cannard, Keegan Dingo, Mark McLean, Kapun Morris, Shannon Rusca, Ashley Wedding
St Mary's: John Anstess, Matthew Hebbard, Cameron Illet, Jared Illet, Henry Labastida, Karl Lohde, Peter MacFarlane, James Puautjimi, Iggy Vallejo
Tiwi Bombers: Roy Farmer, Roy Kantilla, Simon Munkara, Brad Palipuaminni, Ephrem Tipungwuti
Wanderers: Shannon Motlop, Adam Prior, Relton Roberts, Christian Schild
Waratah: David May, Nathan Mclean
DARREN MONCRIEFF
AboriginalFootball@westnet.com.au
Saturday, December 20, 2008
Last Modified on 20/12/2008 13:05