Former AFL star won't join NTFC in AFLQ
BRISBANE Lions AFL premiership player Darryl White will not play for the Northern Territory Football Club when it joins the AFLQ this season, even though 2009 could be his last as a player.
White, 36 this year, will stay true to the blue and whites despite overtures from the NTFC to play for the new club in its inaugural season.
The Territorian has cited work and family commitments in Brisbane behind his decision. But he hasn't ruled out offering his services in an off-field role at the Thunder in the future. White has also indicated this year may be his final season as a player.
"I'll play another year and give the game away as a player," White said this week. "But I'd love to come back in a year's time and help the Territory side out in some type of coaching role."
White was identified early as a key player for the fledgling side. He had played 268 games in the AFL and was part of Brisbane Lions' three-peat premierships from 2001.
Meanwhile, the NTFC's Darwin and Alice Springs-based players have had their first training run in the respective centres. The Darwin-based squad trained at Marrara Oval while the Alice Springs-based squad had a run at Traeger Park, which will host its first AFLQ game on May 23 when the Thunder plays another newcomer to the league, Western Magpies.
DARREN MONCRIEFF
Darren@AboriginalFootball.com.au
Thursday, January 22, 2009
Last Modified on 22/01/2009 23:45