Thunder secures first 18
INDIGENOUS footballers will form the nucleus of the Northern Territory Football Club's midfield brigade after several players signed contracts with the Thunder this week.
Reigning Nichols medallist, Nightcliff's Warren Berto, was among the first of a group of 18 players offered contracts with the club. He was joined by AFL Central Australia's 2008 leading goal-kicker, South Alice Springs' Shaun Cusack, who booted 75 goals to secure the trophy.
"It's great for these quality players to commit to the club. We're asking them to make a commitment to us and likewise we'd like to make a commitment to them," Murray Davis, the Queensland-bound Thunder's high performance manager, said.
With the playing roster beginning to take shape, the signings are another step in the Thunder's evolution towards becoming a fully fledged, semi-professional club.
The Thunder's Darwin- and Alice Springs-based squads will continue to train. It is expected more players will be added to the club's official list.
NTFC's first signings (and their clubs)
AFL Central Australia
Centrals Anmatjere: Kenny Morton
South Alice Springs: Shaun Cusack, Charlie Maher
Northern Territory Football League
Darwin: Dustin Pickett, Phillip Wills
Nightcliff: Warren Berto, Jayden Kickett, Aaron Motlop
Southern Districts: Matt Cannard, Mark Mclean
St Mary's: John Anstess, Jarred Ilett, Henry Labastida, Karl Lohde, Peter MacFarlane, James Puautjimi, Iggy Vallejo
Waratah: David May
DARREN MONCRIEFF
Darren@AboriginalFootball.com.au
Saturday, February 21, 2009
Last Modified on 21/02/2009 02:15