NT Thunder stays at home to take on Essendon in its Round 7 VFLW game at TIO Stadium this Saturday.
Young gun, Mattea Breed comes into the side to make her VFLW debut. A two-time winner of the NTFL Under 18 Girls division medal, Breed has an impressive record; in season 2018/19 she played in six Under 18 games before stepping up to play in10 NTFL Women’s Premier League games for the Darwin Buffaloes, from which she was awarded the NTFL 2018/19 Women’s Rising Star. A recent inclusion to the Central Allies for the NAB AFLW Unde 18 Championships, Breed will be calling on all her experience this weekend.
This comes as no surprise to those in the know, as both of Breed’s parents are former NT representative players.
A big inclusion in this week’s team is former Fremantle AFLW player Jade de Melo, playing her second VFLW game for Thunder, her inclusion will help absorb the loss of livewire Machaelia Roberts, who will sit on the sideline with injured ribs.
Kylie Duggan passed her fitness test and will return to the side for the second time this season, after sustaining an injury during the bye week, she brings a depth of experience with her.
Jasmyn Hewett will take to the field after recovering from an ankle injury which had club officials initially thinking she was out for the season in Round 5, but makes a return to help ‘settle the ship’ in the midfield and hopefully give Thunder first use and clean possession out of the ruck.
After being the leading goal scorer for Thunder in last week’s game, Angela Foley will miss this round due to unavailability along with Sally Riley, while Amy Chittick has been omitted, but remains on the emergency list alongside Rebecca Pryer and Katerina Simmons.
ThunderW Head Coach Heidi Thompson said with both teams coming off a loss last week there will be redemption up for grabs making for a fierce competition.
“Having Jas back is a bonus for us this week, especially with losing Mickey to injury, but paired with Mattea on debut and Jade in the forward line, we have the talent, we just need to take our chances when they present.
“Our aim this week is to be back into the winners’ circle and with another home game it is crucial we put in a strong performance in front of family and friends,” Thompson said.
VFLW Round 7
NT Thunder vs Essendon
3:30pm ACST, Saturday 22 June
TIO Stadium, Darwin
B: Shantel Miskin-Ripia, Tayla Thorn, Dayna Cox
HB: Charlie Deegan, Lateesha Jeffrey (c), Kristy Irvine
C: Lisa Roberts, Hannah Martin, Katie Streader
HF: Michelle Ellis, Stevie-Lee Thompson, Jade de Melo
FF: Tahlia Holtze, Dannielle Ponter, Jordann Hickey
FOLL: Jasmyn Hewett, Janet Baird, Nikki Gore
INT: Morgan Johnston, Gemma Cusack, Kylie Duggan, Mattea Breed*, Sharona Bishop
EMG: Amy Chittick, Rebecca Pryer, Katerina Simmons
IN: Mattea Breed, Jade de Melo, Kylie Duggan, Jasmyn Hewett
OUT: Amy Chittick (omitted), Angela Foley (unavailable), Sally Riley (unavailable), Machaelia Roberts (ribs)
NEW: Mattea Breed
*Indicates 23rd player