DARREN MONCRIEFF
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
COACHES Paul and Mo Motlop will get football's premier summer season competition underway in just over a month's time.
The two brothers are rival coaches in the Northern Territory Football League and will face off in round 1 of the new season at Nightcliff Oval when Nightcliff and Wanderers clash on Saturday, October 8.
The match will be one of two games to open the new season, with the two remaining games played the next day following the release of the fixtures for the 2011/12 season.
Paul is the latest addition to Aboriginal coaches tasting premiership success in the Top End league.
He steered Wanderers to the 2010/11 NTFL Premier League flag after defeating perennial favourites St Mary's in the grand final.
The victory was the Eagles' 11th senior flag after several years in the football wilderness.
The last time the club won a premiership was in the 1992/93 season, with grand-final losses coming in the 2004/05 and 2008/09 season-deciders.
Paul's premiership-winning feat with Wanderers completed a unique family double with brother Mark coaching Southern Districts to the premiership in the 1997/98 season.
Mo agreed to terms to coach the Tigers during the off-season.
AFL Indigenous Team of the Century's Michael McLean continues in his role as senior coach at Southern Districts while former St Kilda and Brisbane Bears full-back Russell Jeffrey does likewise at Palmerston.
Damien Zammit was last month reappointed to coach Darwin Buffaloes this season.
Season full of promise
PAUL MOTLOP will have little time to settle into the new NTFL season when Territory football celebrates a significant milestone.
The round 3 match between Motlop's Wanderers and Waratah will be the 5000th NTFL game.
The clubs are foundation clubs of football in the Top End.
Other key features of the 2011/12 season include nine triple-headers, seven double-headers, four games on the Tiwi Islands and a late-March grand final.
The Tiwi Bombers will host Waratah (round 2), Darwin Buffaloes (round 7), St Mary's (round 11) and Southern Districts (round 13) at Nguiu Oval.
After the league's customary two-week Christmas/New Year break, action restarts on January 7 right through to the first week of finals on the last weekend in February.
The grand-final rematch between Wanderers and St Mary's will come in round 9 at Marrara Oval.
The first three rounds of the new season will be held at suburban grounds due to surface renovation and maintenance at Marrara Oval.
AboriginalFootball@westnet.com.au
Last Modified on 23/08/2011 00:06