NT Thunder has made five changes ahead of its Saturday night Round 10 clash with Sydney University.
Experienced midfielders and Thunder club champions for the past four seasons between them, Cameron Ilett and Richard Tambling, will miss the exciting clash due to work commitments.
Meanwhile, captain Shannon Rioli has another week on the sideline to finish serving an MRP suspension and will leave his match-day duties to vice-captain Justin Beugelaar.
Neil Vea Vea who was a late withdrawal in last week’s game against the GWS Giants will make a return from his knee complaint, while livewire Adam Sambono and big ruckman Tony Olango both return from Under 18 Allies duties.
Midfielder Jarred Erlandson is back in, along with Michael Hagan, whose back injury has kept him waiting since Round 6.
Beau Schwarze and Josh Cheek, both debutants for Thunder in Round 9, will miss while big man Scott McLeod completes the list of five outs.
After three wins in-a-row head coach Andrew Hodges said Saturday night’s game would be a good way to gauge where Thunder is placed.
“At the midway point of the season, this is a great opportunity to test ourselves against a top two side.
“We want to come away with the win so we can have a mini-break with next week’s NTFL versus TSL interleague bye before we hit the road for the following three weeks (including Alice Springs),” he said.
Even with a trio of experience missing from the line-up, Hodges said his troops remained positive and the message to the group at training this past week had been about opportunity.
“Sydney Uni have only dropped the one game against the Swans and had a very convincing win against the Demons last round. We know they are a great side with some AFL experience and plenty of talented players right across the ground.
“It will be a tough challenge for our young side but we’re really looking forward to it,” Hodges said.
NEAFL Round 10
NT Thunder vs Sydney University
6.30pm Saturday 3 June
TIO Stadium, Darwin
B: Tom Davies, Justin Beugelaar, Ben Rioli
HB: Daniel Weetra, Neil Vea Vea, Sam Smith
C: Lachlan Collihole, Abraham Ankers, Braedon McLean
HF: Jake Roe-Duggan, Hugo Drogemuller, Nick Yarran
F: Adam Sambono, Darren Ewing, Damian Williams
FOLL: Ryan Smith, Jack Shannahan, Michael Coombes
INT: Jonathan Peris, Michael Hagan, Sam Talbot, Tony Olango*, Jarred Erlandson
EMERGENCIES: Daniel Russell, Josh Cheek, Michael Mummery
IN: Jarred Erlandson, Michael Hagan, Tony Olango, Adam Sambono, Neil Vea Vea
OUT: Josh Cheek (omitted), Cameron Ilett (unavailable – work), Scott McLeod (omitted), Beau Schwarze (omitted), Richard Tambling (unavailable – work)
* Indicates 23rd playerYou can live stream this game thanks to Tatts on
You can live stream this game thanks to Tatts on ThunderVision.