Brodie Carroll and Dylan McLachlan

Three Thunder newbies headed for Uni

11.04.19 18:51

NT Thunder welcomes three debutants to its Round 2 side with Brodie Carroll, David Johnston and Dylan McLachlan all in-line to don the famed ochre jumper this Saturday.

Thunder’s first away trip for the 2019 NEAFL season sees them travel to Sydney to take on Sydney University, a team the NT side has not beaten since 2015.

At just 20-years-old, Carroll is the youngest of the new trio and comes into the team for Josiah Farrer who sustained a concussion in the second quarter of last week’s game.

Carroll, who can help fill the running also has a great ability to win the ball in and around the contest.

Head Coach Darren Reeves described him as an impressive youngster.

“Brodie had an outstanding season with Waratah in the NTFL, and he’s carried that through with him as we’ve been super impressed with his training.

“We like what he brings around the contest as well as his ability to get outside the contest and use his clean left foot. We think he is going to be a long term proposition for us at NEAFL level.”

Johnston, who has experience playing in the WAFL is a lead-up key forward who can also help back in defence.

With big man Jack Monigatti out of the side with knee soreness, Reeves said Johnston was a perfect fit.

“Johnno has worked hard over the past couple of months, has got himself fit and is ready to go.

“He is a good size and can play either end of the ground, but we see him starting up the ground and being a target forward for the other guys,” he said.

Also succumbing to knee soreness during training this week is midfielder Phillip Wills, with NTFL premiership player, Dylan McLachlan the first choice to replace him.

Darwin born and bred, McLachlan has risen through the footy ranks to become a robust midfielder that Reeves said had earned his call-up.

“Dylan is a strong bodied experienced player who is a clean user of the ball.

“We’re excited by how his game can develop at NEAFL level and are happy he gets his opportunity this weekend after some big weeks on the training track.”

On the task at hand this weekend, Reeves said the team was aiming to play four strong quarters.

“We didn’t get the result we wanted in Round 1 but we also came up against a first-class opposition that made very few mistakes, so I was really pleased that the effort and endeavour from the boys did not drop off.

“This Saturday the task remains the same. Sydney Uni had a solid win against Aspley and are a class outfit, but we know our best is good enough, we need to dig in, and with more experience playing together as one team we’ll get better,” he said.

NEAFL Round 2

Sydney University vs NT Thunder
12:00pm, Saturday 13 April
Blacktown International Sportspark, Sydney

B: Nick Yarran, Sam Dyke, Ben Rioli
HB: Braedon McLean, Joe Anderson, Daniel Weetra
C: Kieren Parnell*, Clinton Gallio, Dylan Barry
HF: Brodie Carroll, David Johnston, Kieran Delahunty
F: Adam Tipungwuti, Trent Melville, Dean Staunton
FOLL: Jack Hannath, Abraham Ankers (c), Jacob Templeton
INT: Ross Tungatalum, Tylah Saunders, Will Farrer, Sam Talbot, Dylan McLachlan

EMERGENCIES: Kaine Riley, Jess Budarick, Chris Williams

NEW: Brodie Carroll, David Johnston, Dylan McLachan

IN: Brodie Carroll, David Johnston, Dylan McLachan
OUT: Josiah Farrer (concussion), Jack Monigatti (knee soreness), Phillip Wills (knee soreness)

* Indicates 23rd player