NT Thunder has named seven debutants ahead of its Round 1 clash with Aspley at TIO Stadium on Saturday night.

The half forward line is graced by all new faces, with young gun Nick Yarran recovering in time from an ankle injury sustained in the NTFL grand final a fortnight ago to join the big man from the Wanderers, Hugo Drogemuller, and the versatile 25-year-old Lachlan Collihole.

Along with exciting recruits Michael Coombes, Tom Davies, Adam Sambono and Sam Smith, Head Coach Andrew Hodges has named a talented line-up to face Thunder’s old foe.

In more great news for Territory fans, Braedon McLean, Damian Williams, Lochlan Dhurrkay, Jarred Erlandson and Abraham Ankers make highly anticipated returns to the line-up after a period away from the Club.

Ankers, who will travel from Alice Springs to Darwin, is one of four regional NT players along with Kayle Kossack (Katherine), Dhurrkay (Elcho Island) and Sambono (Daly River) listed for the first game of the season.

Shannon Rioli has the task of leading the troops once more but is aptly supported by familiar Thunder names, including Vice Captain Justin Beugelaar, five-time NT Thunder Club Champion Cameron Ilett, four-time NEAFL leading goal kicker Darren ‘Boof’ Ewing and 2011 and 2015 premiership ruckman, Ryan Smith.

Smith, who missed all of season 2016 with a foot injury, had a solid NTFL season with St Mary’s and according to Hodges, his inclusion is just one of many positive stories for Thunder heading into the first game.

“There is an air of excitement and anticipation heading into Saturday with the boys relishing their opportunities on and off the training track,” Hodges said.

“We know Aspley is a formidable opponent and we were fortunate to have more than the 23 named players to pick from.

“We have gone with a team we believe will match up best with the Hornets and give us every opportunity to finish with a win,” Hodges said.

NEAFL Round 1
NT Thunder vs Aspley
6:30pm Saturday 1 April
TIO Stadium

B: Sam Smith, Justin Beugelaar, Michael Hagan
HB: Abraham Ankers, Tom Davies, Daniel Weetra
C: Braedon McLean, Cameron Ilett, Jonathan Peris
HF: Nick Yarran, Hugo Drogemuller, Lachlan Collihole
F: Adam Sambono*, Darren Ewing, Damian Williams
FOLL: Ryan Smith, Jarred Erlandson, Shannon Rioli
INT: Neil Vea Vea, Michael Coombes, Lochlan Dhurrkay, Jack Shannahan, Kayle Kossack

EMERGENCIES: Kyle Emery, Daniel Russell

NEW: Lachlan Collihole, Michael Coombes, Tom Davies, Hugo Drogemuller, Adam Sambono, Sam Smith, Nick Yarran

* Indicates 23rd player