Rodney Baird and Jarrod Stokes

Fresh faces to kickstart Thunder’s 10th year

06.04.18 09:08

Young gun Rodney Baird headlines the list of seven debutants who have been named for NT Thunder to face reigning premiers, Brisbane Lions on Saturday night in Darwin for NEAFL Round 1.

There are also five players who have returned to the Club after an absence, meaning just under half of Saturday night’s team, or 11 players, were in the last team Thunder fielded in 2017.

Baird, who was awarded the NTFL Rising Star only last month will be joined by another young Territory talent to take note of, Alice Springs’s Jamie Hampton.

Hampton, a graduate of the NT Academy program, represented the Allies in the National Under 18 Championships in 2016 and is an exciting, quick midfielder.

While, Baird, who is still part of the NT Thunder Under 18 Academy and will have representation duties throughout the season, was selected for Allies duties in 2017 but forced to sit out due to injury.

Joining the youngsters for their first game in senior Thunder colours is the ex-AFL player and Darwin Buffaloes player/coach Matt Campbell, along with Buffs’ midfielder, Chris Williams.

Talented Nightcliff Tigers duo, Kaine Riley and Patrick White will play their first games for Thunder at opposing ends of the ground.

While in his first outing for the Territory’s team, big man Jack Monigatti will still have plenty of familiar Tiwi Bombers flair to feed on his ruck work as Patrick Heenan, Dion Munkara and Ross Tungatalum are just three of the players who return after an extended absence.

Midfielder and most recent NTFL Chaney Medallist, Jarrod Stokes and steadfast defender Shaun Wilson round out the updates to the team.

Meanwhile, an unexpected bout of illness has sidelined key defender Sam Smith, with the 2017 club champion runner-up (joint) missing his first game since joining the Club last season.

And it wouldn’t be a Thunder outfit without the usual suspects, especially Darren ‘Boof’ Ewing and Cam Ilett, who both return for their tenth consecutive season.

In a twist of fate, the team will come up against a familiar foe in Lions youngster, Zac Bailey. Bailey, who is an NT Thunder Academy graduate was taken with pick number 15 at the 2017 NAB AFL Draft by Brisbane and his return to the Territory this weekend is also set to delight fans.

Head Coach Andrew Hodges said after solid weeks on the training track the boys were raring to go and to face the might of the Lions.

“Round 1 probably doesn’t come any harder than facing last year’s best team, but I’ve been impressed with the attitude and energy our boys have shown the past few weeks.

“We have named some great youngsters in Rodney and Jamie, and the challenge for them to come up against an AFL-drilled side will be invaluable, as it will be for all our guys.

“We believe our brand of Territory footy is good enough to get us the four points and so we’re backing ourselves in,” Hodges said.

NEAFL Round 1

NT Thunder
vs Brisbane Lions
6:30pm ACST
Saturday 7 April
TIO Stadium, Darwin

B: Ben Rioli, Tom Davies, Shaun Wilson
HB: Cameron Ilett, Kaine Riley, Rodney Baird*
C: Braedon McLean, Abraham Ankers, Dion Munkara
HF: Ross Tungatalum, Hugo Drogemuller, Shannon Rioli
F: Adam Sambono, Darren Ewing, Matt Campbell
FOLL: Jack Monigatti, Jarrod Stokes, Jarred Erlandson

INT: Patrick White, Chris Williams, Sam Talbot, Patrick Heenan, Jamie Hampton

EMERGENCIES: Jack Munkara, Scott McLeod

NEW (Debuts): Rodney Baird, Matt Campbell, Jamie Hampton, Jack Monigatti, Kaine Riley, Patrick White, Chris Williams

* Indicates 23rd player

You can live stream this game on ThunderVision thanks to Tatts