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) |