NT Thunder welcomes its eleventh debut player for season 2017, with AFLNT State Academy performer and newly listed Thunder rookie, Beau Schwarze named in the team to take on the GWS Giants’ NEAFL side on Saturday night in Darwin.
After big man, Scott McLeod was a last minute inclusion in last week’s winning outfit against Southport, NT Thunder has reached double figures for debut players. It is the most of any season since its inaugural 2009 campaign.
Schwarze is one of four changes for Thunder’s Indigenous round, with Michael Coombes, Lachlan Collihole and Jonathan Peris all recalled to the outfit that is looking to win three-in-a-row this weekend.
The ‘out’ everyone will be talking about is of current NEAFL leading goal kicker and excitement machine, Adam Sambono.
Last week the 20-year-old from Daly River was ceremoniously named in the AFL Allies squad and has since traveled to Melbourne for his first outing with the national championship team.
Midfielder Jarred Erlandson is unavailable along with two of this week’s birthday boys, Kyle Emery who is away and captain Shannon Rioli, who has been sidelined for the next two weeks due to suspension.
NT Thunder leadership group member Ben Rioli will captain the side for the first time this weekend and will be aptly aided by vice-captain Justin Beugelaar, who will shoulder the majority of the captain’s other game day responsibilities over the next fortnight.
Head coach Andrew Hodges said it was a shame not to have Sambono for Thunder’s Indigenous round clash, but a great opportunity awaited Schwarze.
“Adam has been in such great form we’d love to have him in the forward 50 but he deserves every opportunity he gets and so too does Beau.
“Beau was a consistent performer in the NTFL Premier League for Southern Districts this past season and went on to further develop in the Under 18s AFLNT State Academy. He has put in the hard work at senior training and I have no doubt he will relish the opportunity to play against a professional AFL outfit,” Hodges said.
Hodges said he expected the Giants to be at the top of their game after nearly knocking off the Lions in Round 8.
“As is the case with all AFL sides, they are hard at the ball and work well together. They are also last year’s NEAFL Premiers so whether they’ve got injuries or not we will have to be on our game,” he said.
NEAFL Round 9
NT Thunder vs GWS GIANTS
6.30pm Saturday 27 May
TIO Stadium, Darwin
B: Tom Davies, Justin Beugelaar, Ben Rioli
HB: Daniel Weetra, Neil Vea Vea, Sam Smith
C: Jack Shannahan, Abraham Ankers, Braedon McLean
HF: Sam Talbot, Lachlan Collihole, Nick Yarran
F: Lachlan Collihole, Darren Ewing, Damian Williams
FOLL: Ryan Smith, Cameron Ilett, Michael Coombes
INT: Richard Tambling, Jonathan Peris, Scott McLeod, Beau Schwarze*, Jake Roe-Duggan
EMERGENCIES: Daniel Russell, Josh Cheek
IN: Lachlan Collihole, Michael Coombes, Jonathan Peris, Beau Schwarze
OUT: Kyle Emery (unavailable), Jarred Erlandson (unavailable), Shannon Rioli (suspended), Adam Sambono (Allies selection)
NEW: Beau Schwarze
* Indicates 23rd player
You can live stream this game thanks to Tatts on ThunderVision.