A host of local NT talent has been recalled to the ThunderW side for the all-important Round 15 VFL W game against Hawthorn in Darwin on Saturday afternoon.
A win on home soil in Thunder’s last game of the regular season will secure a top-two finish for the Territory team, in what is their first foray into the VFL.
Even with a loss, the team’s 11 and two win-loss record assures them of a top-four finish and subsequently a berth in the finals.
Coming back into the side and due to play her fifth game for Thunder is experienced midfielder Kristy Irvine along with young cohort Janet Baird, who is in line for her third outing.
AFLW-experienced players Renee Forth and Georgia Bevan are two more onballers to be included, and all four will be looking to feed good ball to returning forwards Abbey Holmes, Marijana Rajcic and Emma Swanson, who have 21 goals between them.
Tahlia Holtze will play her seventh game and will also rotate through the forward line, while Jessica Allan’s inclusion will likely see her line up inside 50 or in the ruck.
Defenders Courtney Cramey and Lateesha Jeffrey round out the list of changes for the team’s first game against Hawthorn.
Going out of the team that handed Collingwood its first defeat of the season last weekend, is Gemma Cusack with a hamstring complaint, Kylie Duggan who has a buildup of fluid around her left knee and Michaelia Roberts who took a knock to the mouth last game.
Six other players have been rested as part of the AFLW player rotation, while Sharona Bishop and Madeline Gault have been rotated with other Darwin-based players.
ThunderW Head Coach Tim Weatherald said Saturday’s game was going to be one of the most challenging the team faced.
“Hawthorn is a very good side, they are a strong, contested marking team who defensively make it very hard for their opposition to score and will challenge our free-flowing style of play.
“In many ways, they are similar to Collingwood, and like us have only dropped two games this season so will be looking to assert themselves on the finals.
“Our girls know they have secured a spot in September action and they are well aware that a win this weekend sets them up for a great shot, but with that comes a little bit of pressure.
“So, we’re doing what we can just to stay focused on playing a Territory brand of footy and turning in a performance to make our families, friends and home crowd proud of,” he said.
VFL W Round 15
NT Thunder vs Hawthorn
4:00pm ACST
Saturday 18 August
TIO Stadium, Darwin
B: Lisa Roberts, Samantha Barnett, Sally Riley
HB: Courtney Cramey, Tayla Thorn, Jenna McCormick
C: Georgia Bevan, Angela Foley, Katie Streader
HF: Sue Nalder, Marijana Rajcic, Emma Swanson
F: Jessica Allan, Abbey Holmes, Jordann Hickey
FOLL: Jasmyn Hewett, Ebony Marinoff, Renee Forth
INT: Madeline Keeble, Kristy Irvine, Lateesha Jeffrey, Tahlia Holtze, Janet Baird*
EMERGENCIES: Lauren O’Shea, Jasmine Anderson, Sharona Bishop, Katelyn Rosenzweig
IN: Jessica Allan, Janet Baird, Georigia Bevan, Courtney Cramey, Renee Forth, Abbey Holmes, Tahlia Holtze, Kristy Irvine, Lateesha Jeffrey, Marijana Rajcic, Emma Swanson
OUT: Sarah Allan, Sophie Armitstead, Sharona Bishop, Gemma Cusack (injured – hamstring), Kylie Duggan (injured – knee), Madeline Gault, Anne Hatchard, Justine Mules, Michaelia Roberts (injured – mouth), Stevie-Lee Thompson, Jessica Sedunary
* Indicates 23rd player
You can live stream this game on ThunderVision here