After a convincing win in Round 1 of the VFL Women’s (VFL W) competition, NT Thunder is set to go again but this time for its first game in front of Darwin family and friends.
Four changes have been made to the side set to take on Essendon at TIO Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
Last year’s Margaret Liddle Medallist (best and fairest) from the Central Australian Football League women’s division, Michelle Ellis will make her Thunder debut along with Darwin-based AFLW star Renee Forth and Adelaide duo, Georgia Bevan and Jessica Sedunary.
Ellis will join Jordann Hickey in flying the Pinktails/Alice Springs flag high this weekend, while 13 of the remaining 21 players lining up for Thunder are from the Darwin contingent.
Local girl, Lauren O’Shea will miss due to family commitments, while Sophie Armitstead, Dayna Cox and ThunderW’s current leading goal kicker, Marijana Rajcic have all been rested.
NTFL pair and hard-working inside midfielders, Kylie Duggan and Sophia Mauboy are the side’s emergencies.
It is the first time in the Club’s history that both the men and women will play in their respective state-league competitions on the same day and in front of a home crowd.
ThunderW Head Coach Tim Weatherald said the players were up for the occasion and working hard to get the win at home.
“Coming off the success of Round 1 the feeling around the group has been great, and the players continue to buy into the program and have shown the utmost professionalism with the commitments required.
“Essendon looks to be a competitive outfit and will be hungry for its first win, plus there’s no denying their Territory links, but we want to make TIO Stadium our fortress and put in a good show for all the family and friends who have supported us so far.
“If we can approach this game with the same intensity and that quick Thunder style of footy then we’ll give ourselves every chance to take the four points,” he said.
TIO Stadium gates will open at 3:00pm with the women’s VFL W game starting at 4:00pm, and first bounce in the men’s NEAFL is expected at 6:30pm.
VFL W Round 3
NT Thunder vs Essendon
4:00pm ACST
Saturday 19 May
TIO Stadium, Darwin
B: Samantha Barnett, Sarah Allan, Lisa Roberts
HB: Tahlia Holtze, Tayla Thorn, Morgan Johnston
C: Deni Varnhagen, Chelsea Randall, Eloise Jones
HF: Jordann Hickey, Rhiannon Metcalfe, Emma Swanson
F: Georgia Bevan, Jasmyn Hewett, Machaelia Roberts
FOLL: Jessica Allan, Angela Foley, Renee Forth
INT: Michelle Ellis, Jessica Sedunary, Lucy Adam, Jasmine Anderson, Janet Baird*
EMERGENCIES: Kylie Duggan, Sophia Mauboy
* Indicates 23rd player
Can’t be here? Then you can live stream this game on ThunderVision.