NT Thunder has secured talented Territory duo, Braedon McLean and Richard Tambling after they re-signed for the 2019 NEAFL season.

Tambling’s experience at AFL-level is well documented and respected, so too is his heroics in the 2015 NT Thunder premiership year where he won the Club Champion and finished runner-up in the NEAFL’s Most Valuable Player award at season’s end.

In 2018, the same season he notched up his 50th game with the Territory team, he was named in the NT Thunder Team of the Decade, confirming him as a valued and much-loved player of the club.

NT Thunder Head Coach Darren Reeves said he was thrilled that Tambling with all his playing experience had decided to play on in 2019.

“While working through a slight knee issue, having Richard recommit for 2019 is outstanding for our group and program as a whole.

“He brings a wealth of experience, is respected and loved by everyone in our group and will play a huge role both on and off the field.

“He is doing everything he can to be ready to play as soon as possible, and from a coach’s perspective I’m excited to work with him as much as possible,” Reeves said.

McLean first played for Thunder in 2011 before returning to the Club in 2017. He joined the club from Wanderers in the NTFL, where he was given the prestigious honour in 2017 of being named in the top 100 players for the Wanderers Team of the Century.

A member of the NT Thunder leadership group in 2018, McLean has now played 39 games for NT Thunder and has 12 goals to go with it.

Reeves said he’s excited by McLean’s choice to turn down other offers elsewhere and commit to playing with NT Thunder in 2019.

“After a disrupted second half of the NTFL season and some thoughts of heading south to play, we were thrilled that Braedon decided to stay.

“He has been working hard on his rehab over the last four or five weeks, and we are hopeful he will be back into full training in the next few weeks and close to selection for Round 1.

“We see him playing through our defence and up onto the wing, which is also where his decision making and ball use will be really important for us,” Reeves said.

NT Thunder’s Round 1 game at home against the Brisbane Lions is less than two weeks away!

The Tambling and McLean kids will be signed up as Cracka Club members, so if you’re thinking of supporting the team then we’d love to have you! Cracka Club is FREE for anyone under 12. Head to: https://www.ntthunder.com.au/membership/ to learn more.