Sam Smith will return in 2018

Sam Smith, first of young guns to sign

15.11.17 09:54

Off the back of a super impressive first season for NT Thunder, 21-year-old Sam Smith has signed to play for the Club again in 2018.

A joint runner-up with Abraham Ankers in the 2017 Club Champion, Smith, was one of only two players to represent NT Thunder in all 19 games of the 2017 NEAFL season.

He was also recognised for a strong showing at the back-end of the season by receiving NT Thunder’s Most Improved award and has carried the same good form into the 2017/18 TIO NTFL Premier League for Southern Districts.

An athletic utility, Smith, played most of Thunder’s 2017 campaign in defence and became renowned for his leaping intercept marks and ability to read the play and get a spoil on his opposition’s attempted marks.

On signing him, NT Thunder Head Coach Andrew Hodges said the 194cm Smith was a bright prospect.

“Sam was a great contributor in 2017 and added value both on and off the field, so we look forward to having him back representing Thunder.

“He is one of those players that whenever he has the ball in hand, you know it is going to be used well. There’s no limit to the accolades he can achieve if he keeps up the hard work.”