Gordon joins Tiwi team-mate in line for QAFL youth awardTHE trans-continental Indigenous DNA of the Northern Territory Football Club could become the Thunder's blueprint for success following Beagle Bay teenager Deon Gordon's nomination for Queensland football's Rising Star award.
Gordon (pictured), from the small community which is north of Broome in Western Australia, won his club's second nomination for the award after an outstanding effort in the match against Mt Gravatt the previous round. The game wasalso his debut for the Thunder, inwhich he also became the youngest Thunder debutant.
Gordon, who turned 18 just over a month ago, follows team-mate, James Puautjimi, in the Rising Star ranks after the Tiwi Islander's nomination in Round 1. The pair make up a small contingent of Thunder players from outside Darwin; Gordon is one of a handful of West Australians wearing the black, white and ochre of the Territory team.
The teenager, Gordon, who plays in the backline, stood out for the Thunder in its 58-point win over the previously undefeated Vultures. He is a NTFL premiership player with St Mary's (2007/08) and last season (2008/09) played with Darwin Buffaloes. Gordon moved to Darwin in 2006 to board at St John's College. He graduated with his NTCE in the final term in 2008.
Coach Michael McLean praised the young half-back.
"I was thrilled with the contribution from our new players, in particular the way Deon Gordon and Damien Roe controlled the half-back line and gave us run and drive from that area of the ground,"he said. "We won because we played with a high level of intensity over four quarters and had contributions all over the field, a total team effort."
Gordon works with the AFL Northern Territory on a Sportsready Traineeship and has a scholarship with the NT Institute of Sport.
DARREN MONCRIEFF
Darren@AboriginalFootball.com.au
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
Last Modified on 05/05/2009 01:08