Domonic ‘Junior’ Grant is poised to play his first season at NT Thunder after stints with SANFL club North Adelaide and NTFL club Wanderers.

Grant, who has signed a rookie contract, debuted for the Wanderers’ Premier League side at age 15, solidifying himself as one of the Northern Territory’s best young talents.

In Round 2 of the 2016/17 TIO NTFL season, Grant was awarded the NT News Rising Star after a four-goal, best-on-ground performance against Waratah.

Grant is part of the Level Two NAB AFL Academy squad, who recently finished a training camp at the Michael Long Learning and Leadership Centre.

AFL National Talent Manager, Kevin ‘Shifter’ Sheehan believes the 17-year-old is on track for AFL selection at next year’s national draft.

“Junior is a competitive beast, he loves to tackle and loves to compete one on one and wins his own footy, which is a great starting point.

“He is versatile and can play in a range of spots at his size, he can certainly play midfield or up forward,” Sheehan said.

NT Thunder Head Coach, Andrew Hodges, who gave Grant his NTFL Premier League debut when he was head coach of Wanderers, said Grant will be a valuable asset for the Club.

“It’s an important year for Junior who has made the decision to return home and to develop in the State Academy and Thunder program to prepare for his draft year.

“He is one if the Territory’s top underage talents and has the potential to make an immediate impact in the senior side,” Hodges said.

In 2017 Grant will be sponsored  by McDonald’s.