NT Thunder is excited to reveal that 22-year-old Tiwi Islander, Adam Tipungwuti has signed on to play his first season with the club in 2019.

One of the most exhilarating players to watch in the NTFL, Tipungwuti has plenty of experience playing in the NT, as well as Sydney, Brisbane and country Victoria competitions.

A Darwin Buffaloes junior, he made his Premier League debut with the Tiwi Bombers as a 16-year-old and has now notched up 95 games at the top level, which includes a season with Wanderers in 2016/17.

A lightning quick, small forward who also plays as a wingman and through the midfield, Tipungwuti has spent the past few years being talked about in AFL Draft circles.

Last year he tested well at the Rookie Me Combine, rating among the top-five for the vertical jump and agility tests.

NT Thunder Manager Andrew Hodges was thrilled to sign Thunder’s first remote player for 2019.

“NT Thunder and the Tiwi Islands people have enjoyed a strong connection for the 10 plus years that the club has been in existence.

“It is pleasing that after playing away the last few seasons Adam has decided to stay here this year and commit to representing Thunder and the NEAFL competition,” he said.

NT Thunder Head Coach Darren Reeves said he was excited by the versatility Tipungwuti offered and the potential he possessed.

“It’s well known Adam is a special kind of player, who can turn nothing into something. He’s been in outstanding form for the Tiwi Bombers, and we’ve really enjoyed his work rate.

“In terms of Thunder, we see him filling a crucial forward role but expect he will also have a run through the midfield and on the wings at some stage during the year.

“He is the type of player who can push on to a higher level, and we will give him every opportunity throughout the season to become a consistent performer and to do just that,” Reeves said.

Tipungwuti isn’t the first Tiwi Islands-based player to represent NT Thunder, and Hodges indicated he wouldn’t be the last this season. He said the work General Manager of the Tiwi Bombers, Leigh Crossman was doing was helping foster the relationship.

“The link between the Tiwi Islands and NT Thunder has always been an important one, but neither side has ever been as well set-up as we are today to make it a complete success.

“The communication with Leigh Crossman and Brenton Toy, as coach, has been really positive so far and will allow us to manage the remote players from Tiwi better and to put the right support in place to ensure they are training and preparing in the best way to play at that state league level,” Hodges said.