It will be a new look forward line for NT Thunder in the last game of the NEAFL home and away season when NT Thunder play Sydney Uni at Blacktown International Sportspark this Saturday.
Sam Smith has been named at full forward as Thunder leading goal kicker Darren Ewing will miss the game to stay home and be with wife Lauren who is due to give birth to their third child at any time.
While he normally lines up in the backline, Smith is well known for his reliable marking abilities and was best on for Thunder last week against the Southport Sharks.
NT Thunder Head Coach Andrew Hodges said Smith would provide a strong target in the forward line alongside Ryan Smith and Jarrod Stokes.
“It’s our final game for the season and we will try a few different combinations. Smithy is well known for his high-flying marks in the backline and we’ll see how he goes kicking goals.
“He’ll have great support with the likes of Stokesy, big Smithy and Hugo Drogemuller lining up around him. Malcolm Rosas had an electrifying debut last week and he likes to sneak forward for a goal as part of his game as well,” he said.
Ben Rioli, Tylah Saunders and Sam Talbot will come back into the team after being unavailable last week, while youngster Rodney Baird will return for his first senior game since Round 11.
Injuries have forced Matt Campbell (calf), Jarred Erlandson (calf) and Coen Hutt (concussion) out of the team while Tim Brook will miss due to suspension after receiving a two-week penalty for striking in last week’s game against the Southport Sharks ending his season prematurely.
Hodges said the team was focused on finishing the season with a good performance in the last game and setting the tone for 2019 by potentially causing an upset.
“Sydney Uni are fourth on the ladder going into the final round but on equal points with the other top three so they will be looking for the win and we will be out to deny them of that.
“We have plenty of junior talent in the team with nothing to lose so they will be out to show their wares,” Hodges said.
NEAFL Round 21
Sydney University vs NT Thunder
2:00pm AEST
Saturday 25 August
BISP, Blacktown NSW
B: Izaak Wyatt, Sam Dyke, Matthew Green
HB: Cameron Ilett, Thomas Davies, Kaine Riley
C: Sam Talbot, Abraham Ankers, Shannon Rioli
HF: Malcolm Rosas*, Hugo Drogemuller, Michael Mummery
F: Jarrod Stokes, Sam Smith, Ryan Smith
FOLL: Jack Monigatti, Chris Williams, Benjamin Rioli
INT: Tylah Saunders, Jack Long, Beau Schwarze, Patrick Heenan, Rodney Baird
EMERGENCIES: Braedon McLean
IN: Rodney Baird, Benjamin Rioli, Tylah Saunders, Beau Schwarze, Sam Talbot
OUT: Matt Campbell (injured), Darren Ewing (unavailable), Jarred Erlandson (injured), Tim Brook (suspended), Coen Hutt (injured)
* Indicates 23rd player
You can live stream this game on ThunderVision thanks to Tatts here