All of the Thunder Boys posing for the 2011 premiership

2011 Premierships

Founded in 2008, it didn’t take NT Thunder long before they took home their first Premiership. Throughout the year of 2011 NT Thunder was part of two conferences, the Northern and Combined, having successful campaigns in both.

NT Thunder 26.22-178 def Morningside 12.8-80
Year: 2011
Date: Sunday 18th September
Time: 2.15pm
Venue: Tidbold Park (QLD)
Joe Grant Medallist: Jake Dignan

NT Thunder Coach: Murray Davis
NT Thunder Captain: Cameron Ilett

Thunder Premiership Players:

# 1 Aaron MOTLOP
# 2 Darren EWING
# 4 Iggy VALLEJO
# 5 Dean STAUNTON
# 6 Jarred ILETT
# 7 Shannon RUSCA
# 8 Kenrick TYRELL
# 9 Karl LOHDE
# 10 Charlie MAHER
# 11 Shaun TAPP
# 12 Nyaburu KELLY
# 14 Ross TUNGATALUM
# 15 Matthew ROSIER
# 16 Cameron ILETT
# 17 Jake DIGNAN
# 20 Josh WATSON
# 22 Dane BERGMAN
# 23 Andrew McLEOD
# 25 William KOSSACK
# 27 William FARRER
# 29 Jason ROE
# 31 Bradley PALIPUAMINNI
# 39 Cameron ROBERTS
# 45 Ryan SMITH
# 47 Jed ANDERSON
# 49 Shannon RIOLI
# 52 Louis EGGER

In the 2011 Northern Conference Grand Final, the young Thunder side was able to come from behind to secure a huge 98-point win, playing Morningside in Tidbold Park, Queensland. A goal down at quarter time, Thunder came back to win comfortably 26.22-178 to Morningside 12.8-80. Jake Dignan taking the best on ground honours for Thunder in their first-ever premiership win.

NT Thunder 16.18-114 def Ainslie 13.14-92
Year: 2011
Date: Saturday 24th September
Time: 6.00pm
Venue: Traeger Park (NT)

NT Thunder Coach: Murray Davis
NT Thunder Captain: Cameron Ilett

Thunder Premiership players:

# 1 Aaron MOTLOP
# 2 Darren EWING
# 4 Iggy VALLEJO
# 5 Dean STAUNTON
# 6 Jarred ILETT
# 7 Shannon RUSCA
# 8 Kenrick TYRELL
# 9 Karl LOHDE
# 10 Charlie MAHER
# 11 Shaun TAPP
# 12 Nyaburu KELLY
# 14 Ross TUNGATALUM
# 15 Matthew ROSIER
# 16 Cameron ILETT
# 17 Jake DIGNAN
# 20 Josh WATSON
# 22 Dane BERGMAN
# 23 Andrew McLEOD
# 25 William KOSSACK
# 27 William FARRER
# 29 Jason ROE
# 31 Bradley PALIPUAMINNI
# 39 Cameron ROBERTS
# 45 Ryan SMITH
# 47 Jed ANDERSON
# 49 Shannon RIOLI
# 52 Louis EGGER

Not even a week later NT Thunder was playing for another premiership flag in Traeger Park, Alice Springs, in the Combined Conference against Ainslie. A sluggish start for the home side saw Thunder down by a goal at quarter-time. NT Thunder head coach Murray Davis made vital position changes at half-time to break the game open and stay in the contest. The Thunder squad were then able to handle whatever Ainslie dished out for the remainder of the match, holding off the visitors attack and leading to a final score line of 16.18-114 over Ainslie 13.14-92. On-baller and captain Cameron Ilett stood out in moments that mattered throughout the game and was awarded best on ground in Thunder’s hard fought victory.