Abe Ankers team

Three locals, two debutants and one Abe to captain in Alice Springs

27.04.18 09:39

NT Thunder welcomes debutants Zane Clarke-Edwards and Bradley Stokes to its Round 4 NEAFL lineup to face Redland on Saturday night at TIO Traeger Park in Alice Springs.

Clarke-Edwards, who turned 20 only two days ago, is a quick outside midfielder who is bred Alice Springs tough. He will be joined by fellow Centralians, Abe Ankers and Jamie Hampton, with Ankers stepping up to captain the side for the first time as Shannon Rioli stays in Darwin with family commitments.

Stokes, who is the younger brother of Jarrod, is a small defender who can shut down key forwards while finding opportunities to advance and is a sound replacement for Ben Rioli, who will miss the game due to suspension.

Also coming back into the team are key defenders Kaine Riley and Jack Long. Riley was sidelined in Round 3 with a hamstring injury, while Long has earned his first call-up to for 2018 after showing great commitment on the training track over the past few weeks.

Hampton, who played the first two rounds of the season and required stitches to the head after a clash in Round 1, has been recalled and will line-up in the centre.

Goalsneak Dion Munkara will miss because of an ankle injury, and Shaun Wilson has been rested.

In mixed news for local fans, Joe Anderson has recovered from the concussion he sustained in the early stages of last Saturday’s game and will line-up to play in front of his extended family but sadly Jarred Erlandson, an Alice Springs raised player will miss with a broken right hand.

NT Thunder Head Coach and Central Australian bred, Andrew Hodges said the team looks forward to playing in its second home and putting in a better performance than the past couple of years.

“We’re up against Redland, who are yet to win a game this season and our recent record at TIO Traeger Park isn’t in our favour, but we’re determined to repay the faith shown in us by some of our most loyal fans and claim the four points for ourselves.

“The team has a robust Alice Springs flavour this year, and we want to get out there and give the boys’ families and friends something to be proud of.

“Though we are missing some experience in the Riolis, as well as Erlo’s local expertise and the flair from Dion, we are confident we have the depth to more than adequately cover and perform. Having Zane debut on his home turf will be special, and he and Brad have both earned their spots with hard work,” he said.

NEAFL Round 4

NT Thunder vs Redland Bombers
7:30pm ACST
Saturday 28 April
TIO Traeger Park, Alice Springs

B: Kaine Riley, Sam Dyke, Joe Anderson
HB: Cameron Ilett, Tom Davies, Sam Smith
C: Braedon McLean, Abraham Ankers, Jamie Hampton
HF: Ross Tungatalum, Hugo Drogemuller, Matt Campbell
F: Adam Sambono, Darren Ewing, Patrick White
FOLL: Jack Monigatti*, Jarrod Stokes, Chris Williams
INT: Sam Talbot, Richard Tambling, Zane Clarke-Edwards, Jack Long, Bradley Stokes
EMERGENCIES: Cameron Glover, Francis Kinthari

IN: Zane Clarke-Edwards, Jamie Hampton, Jack Long, Kaine Riley, Bradley Stokes
OUT: Jarred Erlandson (hand), Dion Munkara (ankle), Ben Rioli (suspended), Shannon Rioli (family commitments), Shaun Wilson (rested)

NEW (Debut): Zane Clarke-Edwards, Bradley Stokes

* Indicates 23rd player

You can live stream this game on ThunderVision thanks to Tatts

Photo of Abe Ankers by TJ Yelds/NEAFL