NT Thunder ready to roll on Southport's paradeALL-ROUND sportsman Warren Berto is hoping to emulate his footy-famous uncles when he represents the Northern Territory Football Club in its historic inaugural season, beginning tonight.
Berto, who tied to win the 2007/08 Northern Territory Football League Nichols Medal, one in a long line of Indigenous footballers to win the top award, is an inaugural squad member of the NT Thunder, coached by AFL Indigenous Team of the Century (1904-2004) member, Michael McLean.
The Thunder plays its first game of its first season in the renamed Queensland Australian Football League at Marrara Oval in Darwin against Southport tonight. But the 25-year-old Nightcliff ball magnet Berto will have to bide his time before he gets to don the black, white, yellow and ochre of the Thunder's strip, because he's injured.
The first Thunder team was named on Thursday night and Berto was unaware he was named on an expanded interchange bench until we called with a query if he's right to go.
"I'm very excited to be playing in the Queensland comp, and privileged because my uncles, like Dennis Dunn, always wanted to play for an NT side in a league like this so I want to take this chance with both hands," Berto said. "They played in an NT jumper once, maybe twice, a season, and maybe overall about 20 times in their careers, but now we get to play for the NT every week for about 20 games in one season."
Berto said his team-mates have had much encouragement in the lead-up to tomorrow's game. He said the players have gelled well, despite their club allegiances.
"We've had past players and champions come and talk to us, telling us what an honour it is to represent the NT like this for the first time," he said. "They said to represent where we come from with pride."
Berto has had to make several sacrifices to become part of the Thunder. First to go was rugby league, which Berto has played each dry season once footy finishes. He's a bit of a gun in the game -- having made youth rep sides -- but he said he didn't mind having to give it up, citing 'old age', among other reasons.
"That's alright because every rugby season I'm getting battered and smashed more and more," he chuckled. "Plus, once you get to a certain age your body starts to hurt longer. I'm 25 now and I'm not getting any younger."
Berto has played at SANFL level and he said he's looking forward to taking on the Queenslanders. The Thunder's high performance manager, Murray Davis, is a former QAFL coach and McLean has seen Queensland football firsthand when with the Brisbane Bears/Lions, and also having coached Redlands.
"Murray brought in these videos and we've had a good look how they play," Berto said. "They have a lot of good players. It seems pretty quick and there's a few big boys there. They seem to play more contested footy. It's similar to SANFL footy where it's in close and in tight."
Berto said the renowned NT style of attacking football won't be compromised. A big crowd is expected at Marrara tonight to view history in the making. Bouncedown is at 7pm, gates open at 5 and tickets are available at the gate (Adults $5, concession and children 12-18 years $2, and children under-12 free).
McLean likes look of Thunder's first teamMcLEAN yesterday said he likes the look of the Thunder's first team and is pleased to have the pick of the full squad for their initial foray into the QAFL.
"It is pleasing to have virtually a full squad to choose from," he said. "The players running out with the NT Thunder guernsey on for the first time tonight carry a great deal of responsibility and expectation. I am sure they will do the Territory proud."
B: Shannon Rusca (vc), John Anstess, Dustin Pickett
HB: Bradley Palipuaminni, Jackson Emblem, David May
C: Cameron Ilett, Jarred Ilett (c), Nathan McLean
HF: Relton Roberts, Dylan Kent, Aaron Motlop
F: James Puatjimi, Darren Ewing, Iggy Vallejo (vc)
Foll: Peter MacFarlane, Karl Lohde, Mark McLean
Int (from): Christian Schild, Mark Berts, Matt Cannard, Warren Berto, Roy Kantilla, Phillip Wills, Henry Labastida.
Motlop opts out of ThunderNT Thunder will have to do without the experienced Shannon Motlop after the former North Melbourne and Melbourne player opted out of the inaugural squad.
Motlop stated family and other commitments were factors leading to his decision, one he said was not taken lightly and with the fledgling side's best interests.
"It was a very hard decision to make, taking into account my family, my desire to play at State league level and, of course, passing up the opportunity to play with the NT Thunder in its inaugural season," Motlop said on the club's website. "I feel that if I am not able to commit 100 per cent to the Thunder then it would be the wrong thing for the club and does not send the right message to the rest of the player group."
Motlop has had a full season with North Adelaide in the SANFL in 2008 and played with Wanderers in the NTFL in the 2008/09 season, leading them to the grand final. But he hasn't given footy away completely. He will line up in 2009 with Dunolly in country Victoria.
"Naturally, we are disappointed that Shannon has come to this decision, but we fully understand and respect his decision," Michael McLean, Thunder coach, said. "We see the decision as a very mature one and one where he has put family and NT Thunder first. Shannon will be missed not just for his playing ability but also his presence around the group.
"With his valuable experience at the elite level there is something he can pass on to the younger members of the playing group (so) we would like to see Shannon stay involved at the club in some capacity."
DARREN MONCRIEFF
Darren@AboriginalFootball.com.au
Saturday, April 4, 2009
Last Modified on 04/04/2009 12:56