DARREN MONCRIEFF
Friday 30 March 2012
NT THUNDER has fired a warning shot across the bows of the other nine clubs after sending last year's grand finalist Morningside packing in round 1 of the 2012 NEAFL season.
The club, which has a strong Indigenous component, defeated the Panthers by 87 points in Alice Springs on Saturday.
The Thunder defeated Morningside in the NEAFL Northern Conference grand final last year, before vanquishing Southern Conference premiers Ainslie in the league's cross- conference grand final in Alice Springs the following week.
Ahead for the NT rep side is its first road trip, to Brisbane to play Aspley, which was the first side to defeat the Thunder in 2011.
Making a terrific debut for the Thunder in Alice Springs was Aaron Sharpe from Hermannsburg, who kicked 3.1 from centre half-forward.
Maningrida's Jerry Wilson was another to make a solid debut. The Wanderers speedsters created numerous attacking forays, kicked a brilliant goal after crumbing the ball and added pressure and defensive skills.
Thunder shares its homes games between Darwin and Alice Springs.
The round 1 match was switched from Darwin's TIO Stadium to the Alice's Traeger Park due to the condition of the Darwin pitch.
The club will have three byes: in rounds 13 and 16 and between rounds 9 and 10 due to the State League rep match.
Thunder has a dream run home: six of their last seven matches are at home, with all but one of those games in Darwin, before the finals.
Perhaps a good indicator of the club's on-field strength will be when the Thunder players VFL premiers Porrt Melbourne in the Foxtel Cup in Darwin on Saturday 19 May.
Playing roster complete
NT THUNDER has finalised its playing roster for the 2012 NEAFL season.
Of the 52 players on its list, the Thunder has a wide representation from across the Territory. The club's players come from Darwin (29), Alice Springs (14), Tiwi Islands (4), Katherine (2), Gove (1), Hermannsburg (1), Jabiru (1), Maningrida (1) and Mt Liebig (1).
However, it doesn't end there: the club has the flexibility to sign an additional three players for the 2012 season.
AboriginalFootball@westnet.com.au
Last Modified on 30/03/2012 15:33