NT Thunder has named first-gamer Kyle Emery to play in the Club’s Friday night footy clash against the Sydney Swans NEAFL team at TIO Stadium.

Coming off a good win against the Redland Bombers in Brisbane last week, NT Thunder will be looking forward to stringing together successive winning games.

Territory born, Emery is a former member of the Gold Coast Suns Under 18 Academy and has been a highlight for the Nightcliff Tigers the past two NTFL seasons.

He is the ninth debutant for the Club so far this year.

Coach Andrew Hodges said the 20-year-old had been a consistent performer at training and had earned his call-up.

“Kyle fronts up to every session with a positive attitude and has been close to selection the past couple of rounds.

“Now comes the perfect opportunity for him to showcase his talents in front of a home crowd,” Hodges said.

2015 Thunder premiership player Michael Hagan returns from the injury list for his third game of the season after recovering from bruised ribs.

Katherine’s Kayle Kossack, Alice Springs’ Abraham Ankers and versatile utility Jarred Erlandson also come back into the team.

Hodges said it was an unusual circumstance to make so many changes after a good win.

“We knew Ryan Smith and Tony Olango weren’t going to be available but Michael Coombes and Matt Rosier picked up a couple of niggly injuries last week and Tom Davies is serving a one-week suspension so we were forced to make more changes than we initially thought.

“But with this misfortune, some of our younger guys are given a real opportunity and we’re certainly encouraging them to take full advantage of it,” Hodges said.

NEAFL Round 5
NT Thunder vs Sydney Swans
7.30pm Friday 28 April
TIO Stadium, Darwin

B: Sam Smith, Justin Beugelaar, Ben Rioli
HB: Cameron Ilett, Daniel Russell, Daniel Weetra
C: Nick Yarran, Abraham Ankers, Braedon McLean
HF: Lachlan Collihole, Hugo Drogemuller, Michael Hagan
F: Adam Sambono, Darren Ewing, Damian Williams
FOLL: Neil Vea Vea, Shannon Rioli, Jack Shannahan
INT: Sam Talbot, Jonathan Peris, Jarred Erlandson, Kyle Emery*, Kayle Kossack

EMERGENCIES: Davin Ferreira, Scott McLeod

IN: Abraham Ankers, Kyle Emery, Jarred Erlandson, Michael Hagan, Kayle Kossack
OUT:  Michael Coombes (injury – hamstring), Tom Davies (suspended), Tony Olango (U18s Academy), Matthew Rosier (injured – hand), Ryan Smith (unavailable – work)

* Indicates 23rd player

Not in Darwin? You can live stream this game thanks to Tatts on ThunderVision.