NT Thunder will play its thirteenth new player for the 2019 NEAFL season when 21-year-old midfielder Ben Taylor pulls on the Territory jumper for the first time this Saturday.
It will be the ninth year in a row that Thunder and Redland play in the ANZAC Clash, with Thunder winning seven of the previous eight encounters.
Also coming into the side for his first game of the season is versatile tall, Hugo Drogemuller who has been named up forward.
Joining him is his NTFL premiership teammate Phillip Wills who has recovered from knee soreness, while Ross Tungatalum is back in the side after being a late injury withdrawal in Round 2 and Josiah Farrer is cleared to play after his Round 1 concussion.
The five changes are in part due to injury, with Sam Dyke and Will Farrer failing to pass their fitness tests, as well as unavailability; Dean Staunton is representing the New Zealand Falcons in an exhibition match in Melbourne and Daniel Weetra with commitments at home. Sam Talbot is an omission from the side but has been named as an emergency.
Head Coach Darren Reeves spoke highly of his side’s inclusions, describing Taylor as an impressive youngster.
“Ben has done the hard work in the gym and on the track to get his body right and has earned the call-up this week.
“He is a smart user of the ball, and during the NTFL season with St Mary’s we saw his impressive turn of speed which he used to break out of the contest.
“Playing NEAFL footy is a step up but a challenge he has been craving, so we’re keen to see him develop at this level,” he said.
Reeves said the unavailability of Dyke and Weetra meant the team had made a few adjustments in defence.
“We’ve moved Dave Johnston down back and started Kieren Parnell up that end of the field, but with Hugo in the side, we feel like we’ve still got plenty of tall options up forward.
“Having Josiah Farrer will also help generate some run from defence, while Willsy and Rocco are both exciting inclusions, who have the ability to turn a game in our favour.”
On the sentiment of the ANZAC clash, Reeves said the team knew it was more than just a footy game.
“We haven’t dwelled too much on the first two rounds and know if we do the work and all play our roles that we’ll give ourselves every opportunity to win.
“But Saturday’s game is also about acknowledging that we get to do what we love, play footy because those before us made the ultimate sacrifice and gave up what they love.
“The players attended the Dawn Service in Darwin today to pay our respects, and we’ll be taking some of that feeling with us on the trip to Brisbane,” he said.
NEAFL Round 4
Redland vs NT Thunder
1:30pm, Saturday 27 April
Scottsdale Park, Brisbane
B: Josiah Farrer, David Johnston, Braedon McLean
HB: Ben Rioli, Joe Anderson, Kieren Parnell*
C: Brodie Carroll, Clinton Gallio, Dylan Barry
HF: Hugo Drogemuller, Abraham Ankers (c), Kieran Delahunty
F: Dylan McLachlan, Trent Melville, Adam Tipungwuti
FOLL: Jack Hannath, Phillip Wills, Jacob Templeton
INT: Tylah Saunders, Nick Yarran, Jess Budarick, Ben Taylor, Ross Tungatalum
EMERGENCIES: Michael Bowden, Sam Talbot
NEW: Ben Taylor
IN: Hugo Drogemuller, Josiah Farrer, Ross Tungatalum, Ben Taylor, Phillip Wills,
OUT: Sam Dyke (knee), Will Farrer (back), Dean Staunton (unavailable), Sam Talbot (omitted), Daniel Weetra (unavailable)
* Indicates 23rd player