Team of the Decade

Going into our tenth year in 2018, 215 players and five coaches had proudly represented the Northern Territory Football Club on the national stage. On Saturday the 23rd of June, after months of meetings and deliberation by a qualified selection panel we proudly unveiled the NT Thunder Team of the Decade. These are the best 23 players, including a captain and vice-captain who would all be soundly guided by the chosen head coach and assistant coach. A team true to the Territory footy way and to be feared by opposition, even if only by means of the imagination. This is our NT Thunder Team of the Decade.

Coach

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NT Thunder's longest-serving coach, Xavier Clarke was in his early 30s when he returned home to Darwin and achieved many a feat for the Territory's top team. The former St Kilda and Brisbane Lions player joined NT Thunder in 2013, where he won the NEAFL Coach of the Year in 2014, led the side to a one-point premiership victory in front of 6,000 people in Darwin in 2015, and was awarded the NT Sports Awards Coach of the Year for his efforts.

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Assistant Coach

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Murray Davis was the backbone of NT Thunder since they joined the QAFL / NEAFL in 2009, serving as High-Performance Manager in his first year, building a great rapport with players and staff before being appointed to senior coach in 2010. "Muzz" enjoyed an outstanding couple of seasons but 2011 was a definite highlight for both him and the club.

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Back

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Since debuting in Round 1 of the 2012 NEAFL season, the younger Rioli quickly became a fan favourite and took no time at all to establish himself as a consistent performer and reliable team member...

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In the 2011 premiership year, Roe was as solid as a rock. Leading the defensive team very little got past him, and his 70-metre barrel bombs became a regular feature of clearing the Thunder defence...

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A steadfast fullback, Beugelaar was also recognised as a versatile defender and on-field leader. He was as an essential member of the team for four seasons, most notably as part of the 2015 premiership side...

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Half Back

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An inaugural NT Thunder player it was just reward for Rusca’s hard work when he was part of the 2011 premiership side. The silky clean defender was a general down back as he rallied and directed his Thunder troops...

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Recognised for being an all-rounder Lockwood spent most of his time at NT Thunder as an agile forward who regularly impacted the scoreboard. Big Jules was also one of the most gentlemanly members of the team...

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A massive coup for NT Thunder in 2011 was signing AFL great and NT’s favourite son to the team. He took no time at all to have an impact and was prolific in the premiership victories that year...

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Centre

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A high half forward who was blessed with elite running capacity, Dunne is still one of the most prolific players in NT Thunder’s history as he remains second on the club’s all-time goal kicking list...

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NT Thunder’s inaugural captain, the eldest of the Ilett brothers, was on-board with NT Thunder from day dot and played an integral part in building and driving Thunder’s club culture.

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A dual premiership player and captain of the 2015 side, Motlop was an integral part of Thunder’s success over the years. The ultimate professional who always led from the front, he was a midfielder who could play inside and out.

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Half Forward

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Often referred to as the ‘human highlights reel’, Tungatalum kicked 55 goals in 17 games in 2011 to become a premiership player for the club and went on to win the NEAFL Rising Star award in the same season...

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Sometimes better known as the ‘Lajamanu Lightning Bolt’, Patrick was an integral part of Thunder's 2015 premiership side. Often making the long nine-hour drive to Darwin to play footy, he is an AFL-experienced player who excites and delights the fans...

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A high half forward who was blessed with elite running capacity, Dunne is still one of the most prolific players in NT Thunder’s history as he remains second on the club’s all-time goal kicking list...

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Forward

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A 2011 premiership winner, Maher was an Alice Springs-based player who was renowned for his quick turn of foot especially when the ball was in hand. He played numerous roles for NT Thunder and was a reliable contributor week in and week out...

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Affectionately known as 'Boof’, Ewing is one of only two players to have played every season since NT Thunder's inception. And since 2011 he has only missed one game! A member of both the 20111 and 2015 premiership sides...

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Growing up in Alice Springs, Tyrrell was what you might call a latecomer to footy. At 19 he had his first stint in the CAFL and won the premiership first go, before moving to Adelaide to further his new found love of the great game and then on to Thunder..

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Followers

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They don't come more committed than big ruckman Smith, who at 196cms is better known around the club as 'Scissors'. He played 14 games in the 2015 premiership-winning season with the club and was also a vital part of Thunder’s 2011 premiership side...

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Nicknamed Diggers for apparent reasons, Dignan was an integral part of the NT Thunder midfield and a renowned ball magnet. He moved to Darwin from Ballarat and quickly become a regular feature of the team...

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Before 2018 Ilett had an unparalleled nine seasons at NT Thunder and almost gave it away, but the guy who has done it all and won it all came back for the tenth year. And in doing so is one of only two players to have been at the club since the start.

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Interchange

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Ankers moved to Central Australia from Brisbane as a 15-year-old and immediately fell in love with the Federal Football Club. He has been an integral part of Thunder’s midfield group for the past two seasons...

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Well-respected and one of NT Thunder’s favourites, ex-AFL player Tambling made an immediate impact when he first joined Thunder in 2015. The Club Champion in the premiership year he also finished runner-up in the NEAFL MVP award...

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A rugged and unwavering midfielder, Rosier was one of the NEAFL competition’s hardest on-ballers, with his determination making up for what he lacked in stature. A dual premiership player, he reached his 100th NT Thunder game in Round 1 of 2016...

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A reliable defender who could play on both small and tall opponents, Weetra was a no-fuss player who could be counted on to stop an encroaching ball and then turn it into an offensive push...

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With his trademark dreadlocks and cheeky grin, Vea Vea was a versatile tall who played primarily as a defender but was also used as a back-up ruckman and didn't shy away from having a run through the midfield either...

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