Twenty-year-old young gun Adam Sambono has shown his faith in the NT Thunder program by agreeing to play NEAFL again in 2018.

Sambono burst onto the scene in Round 1 last season after kicking six goals on debut against Aspley and went on to accumulate 29 goals in his 11 Thunder appearances.

By season’s end, he had picked up the ANZAC Day Best on Ground Medal and was awarded NT Thunder Rookie of the Year, as well as receiving the coveted NEAFL Rising Star Award and a spot in the NEAFL Team of the Year.

Hailing from Daly River and an exciting prospect for Darwin Buffaloes in the NTFL, Sambono made national headlines last May when he was invited to participate in the AFL Under 18 National Championships and the National Draft Combine as an overage player.

NT Thunder Head Coach Andrew Hodges said the Club looked forward to being part of Sambono’s development in 2018.

“It’s pleasing that Adam has committed to NT Thunder and has confidence that the program can provide the pathway to his football aspirations.

“The NEAFL competition created opportunities for him last season but there’s no doubt that Adam’s an excitement machine in his own right and knows how to put in the hard work, so I look forward to seeing how far he takes his football this year,” he said.