Team of the Decade fans

Choose your Team of the Decade from the Top 30

23.05.18 16:13

NT Thunder Football Club will celebrate 10 seasons in emphatic style with the announcement of the Team of the Decade at a unique Gala Ball to be held at the Darwin Convention Centre on Saturday 23 June.

After a series of meetings where 215 potential players and five coaches were laid on the table for discussion, the Team of the Decade Selection Committee has done the hard work and come up with the best 30 players and two most successful coaches over the past 10 years.

While all 32 are invited to the unveiling in June, fans have the opportunity to select their best 23 now, and in doing so go in the running to win two tickets to the Gala Ball.

The team will consist of 23 players, one captain and vice-captain as well as a head coach and assistant coach who fans can select online here: https://www.ntthunder.com.au/team-of-the-decade/.

The top 30 players consist of names synonymous with the success and story of NT Thunder over the years.

The man who has done it all Cameron Ilett was a natural inclusion, so too prolific full-forward and nine-time club leading goal kicker Darren Ewing. There’s also Bradley Palipuaminni, the first Tiwi Islander to play 50 games for the club as well as the famous Andrew McLeod, who played one incredible season in 2011.

One of today’s AFL stars in Jed Anderson makes the cut for his versatility as a youngster, while premiership captain Aaron Moltop is recognised as a leader on and off the field. The kids’ favourite, Neil Vea Vea might find himself in the best 23 if you pair his performances with his entertainment value and of course, there’s two exciting Riolis in there.

Players from Alice Springs, Katherine, Lajamanu and the Tiwi Islands are represented in the top 30 along with the best Darwin has had to offer over the past 10 seasons.

And when it comes to the coaches, the two men who led Thunder to premierships, Murray Davis in 2011, and Xavier Clarke in 2015 were the selectors’ choice for top honours.

To read a short bio on each of the players and coaches and see their awards and stats head to the website and click on their profiles: https://www.ntthunder.com.au/team-of-the-decade/.

Congratulations to the following players on making the top 30 in the NT Thunder Team of the Decade:

 
First name Surname Total games to end 2017 Seasons played Total goals to end 2017 Premierships
Jed Anderson 28 2011 – 2012 18 1
Abraham Ankers 31 2014, 2017 – current 12
Justin Beugelaar 75 2013 – 2017 5 1
Jake Dignan 57 2010 – 2012 18 1
Chris Dunne 78 2012 – 2015 201 1
Darren Ewing 177 2009 – current 728 2
Cameron Ilett 172 2009 – current 180 2
Jarred Ilett 55 2009 – 2011 27 1
Julian Lockwood 69 2012 – 2016 29 1
Charlie Maher 23 2010 – 2011 8 1
Braedon McLean 28 2011 – 2013, 2017 – current 11
Andrew McLeod 10 2011 15 1
Aaron Motlop 84 2009 – 2011, 2013 – 2016 23 2
Bradley Palipuaminni 65 2009 – 2011, 2013 50 1
Liam Patrick 29 2014 – current 42 1
Ben Rioli 94 2012 – current 19 1
Shannon Rioli 105 2011, 2013 – current 69 2
Jason Roe 37 2011 – 2012 2 1
Matthew Rosier 128 2010 – 2017 25 2
Shannon Rusca 43 2009 – 2012 0 1
Ryan Smith 61 2009 – 2011, 2015 – current 20 2
Richard Tambling 46 2015 – current 9 1
Shaun Tapp 47 2010 – 2012 12 1
Ross Tungatalum 21 2011, 2014, current 62 1
Kenrick Tyrrell 53 2010 – 2013 25 1
Brad Vassal 54 2012 – 2014 30
Neil Vea Vea 70 2013 – 2017 11 1
Errin Wasley-Black 31 2012 – 2014 2
Daniel Weetra 31 2015 – 2017 4 1
Phillip Wills 51 2009, 2013, 2015 – 2016, current 8

And the two coaches;

 
First name Surname Total games Seasons coached Premierships
Xavier Clarke 59 2014 – 2016 1
Murray Davis 42 2010 – 2011 2 (conference format)