The Territory talent continues to flow at Thunder, with 18-year-old Rodney Baird signing to play for the Club this year.

At 192cm the Palmerston teenager has established himself as a hard-working, agile defender and has captured the eye of the greater football public after being included in the Allies squad at the 2017 AFL National Under 18 Championships.

An all-around sportsman, at 16-years-of-age Baird was on a scholarship with the Parramatta Eels in the NRL, but his attention and loyalty lay with the Palmerston Magpies, where he has played NTFL since 2012.

With 24 Premier League games to his name over the past two seasons, he has picked up a Rising Star nomination in both and on 11 occasions this season he has been named in Palmerston’s best.

NT Thunder Head Coach Andrew Hodges said there are no bounds to what Baird can achieve this year.

“Bairdy has worked hard to establish himself as a key defender for Palmerston, and with his impressive leap plus his ability to use his height to his advantage, there’s little wonder why.

“He is a committed young player that has the right work ethic and a positive attitude, a coach’s dream. We look forward to seeing his development prosper and what opportunities he creates for himself,” he said.