Tennant Creek youngster Isaiah Farrell-Nelson will make his debut for NT Thunder when they play the Sydney Swans Reserves at TIO Stadium in Round 20 of the NEAFL this Saturday 13 August.
It is the second time Thunder plays the Swans this year with the Sydney side defeating Thunder by 66 points in their Round 14 clash at the Sydney Cricket Ground.
Playing in the Barkly Australian Football League (BAFL) in 2015, the Year 12 student took out the Patrons Medal for the best and fairest player in the competition, as well as finishing second on the goal-kicker leaderboard.
On-baller Jared Brennan is back in the side following an ankle injury while Daniel Lewis has also been named to return against the Swans.
Key utility Raphael Clarke returns from a calf injury that saw him withdraw from the Round 18 match against the Canberra Demons while Sam Talbot is out with a leg injury.
Head Coach Xavier Clarke said it is another important match for the Thunder ahead of the finals.
“We have prepared for this match as best we can, there’s been a real sense of purpose on and off the track this week,” Clarke said.
“As a team, we’re extremely focused on the task at hand and finishing the home-and-away season strongly is our priority.
“We all know how well we can perform when we play our best and that is what we aim to do this weekend.
“It is great to see Farrell-Nelson make his debut this weekend, it is a real credit to the way he has approached his football and he is someone we see who has potential,” Clarke said.
Round 20 NEAFL Team to play Sydney Swans reserves
6:30pm Saturday 13 August 2016
TIO Stadium
B: Ben Rioli, Justin Beugelaar, Jack Long
HB: Raphael Clarke, Neil Vea Vea, Jonathan Peris
C: Shannon Rioli,Cameron Ilett, Michael Hagan
HF: Richard Tambling, Liam Patrick, Phillip Wills
F: Justin Cooper, Darren Ewing, Luke Bath
Foll: Sebastian Guilhaus, Matthew Rosier, Jared Brennan
Inter: Michael Mummery, Daniel Lewis, Isaiah Farrell-Nelson*, Aaron Lonergan, Patrick Taban
Emer: Jack Williams, Michael Bowden, Matthew Bricknell
In: Justin Cooper, Jared Brennan, Isaiah Farrell-Nelson, Daniel Lewis, Raphael Clarke
Out: Sam Talbot (leg), Tim Eldridge, Matthew Bricknell, Daniel Russell, Michael Bowden
* Indicates 23rd player