Ahead of the 2019 Swisse Wellness VFL Women’s season commencing next weekend, NT Thunder Football Club has lodged its official playing list with the league.
Forty-three talented players have been named to represent the club in 2019, with a further five NT Thunder Under 18 Academy players already earmarked for a stint in the seniors, although all Academy players are eligible for selection as the 23rd player throughout the VFLW season.
Of the 43 primary listed players, 31 are making a return after representing Thunder in its inaugural season last year.
The squad is made up of players from Darwin, Alice Springs, Katherine and Adelaide, with Thunder continuing its association with the AFLW premiership-winning Adelaide Crows. The 2019 NT Thunder list is comprised of 12 players who were part of the AFLW premiership in March.
The VFLW rules stipulate that Thunder is able to play 12 AFLW players in any one game, which is the same as all other clubs. However, only four of those 12 players are allowed to be based outside of the NT or have not come through the NT playing ranks. Players like Angela Foley, Stevie-Lee Thompson and Sally Riley who reside outside of the NT are considered as AFLW players who came through the NT ranks, so are not part of that four.
Each team in the VFLW competition can make 10 senior list changes throughout the season.
So far this season, 17 of the 43 players have been announced publicly, so players being announced today are marked with an asterisk in the table below.
NT Thunder Manager Andrew Hodges described the list as well-balanced and capable.
“We are pleased with the list that has come together for our second season in the VFLW.
“There’s a great mix of talent from across the NT, as well as experienced AFLW players who will all train and work to the same plan no matter where they are based.
“We saw last year that we have the ingredients to challenge the top teams in the competition and the group are looking forward to meeting that challenge again this season.”
Hodges also encouraged fans to get on board and support the club through membership.
“We’re very lucky to have two great senior teams for people to get behind and with our first double-header VFLW and NEAFL home game only a fortnight away it would be great to see all the families, friends and community come down and cheer us on.
“The ThunderW team starts next Sunday in Melbourne against reigning premiers Hawthorn, so jump online ( https://www.ntthunder.com.au/membership/) to sign up to show your support.”
2019 NT Thunder VFLW list
| Player name | Local club/AFLW | Info |
|---|---|---|
| Sophie Armitstead * | Wanderers (NT), Norwood (SA) | A former Adelaide Crows player, brings experience to the squad, having played both AFLW and SANFL. Will fill an inside midfield role. Originally for Wanderers FC in the NTFL where she was known as a tough opponent. |
| Janet Baird | Palmerston (NT) | The 2018/19 NTFL Gwynne Medallist is one of the brightest prospects in the NT, especially with her ability to turn defence into offence. Returns to Thunder for 2019, where she will look to build on her three games at senior level. |
| Sharona Bishop | Waratah (NT) | A two-time premiership player with Waratah in the NTFL and the best on ground medallist from the 2018 CAFL Grand Final is back for her second VFLW season. |
| Billie Byers * | Palmerston, Big Rivers (NT) | A talented junior player that has played for the NT Thunder Academy. Lives in Katherine where her home club is Eastside FC and played for the Big River Hawks in the NTFL under 18 competition and now plays for the Palmerston Magpies in the NTFL Women’s Premier League. A solid defender that loves the contest and can use the ball well by feet. |
| Amy Chittick | Waratah (NT) | The youngster added another NTFL premiership medal and claimed the NTFL Women’s Premier League Leading Goalkicker Award in the 2018/19 NTFL season for her 25 goals. A former NT Academy player who returns to Thunder for her second season. |
| Ailish Considine * | Adelaide Crows (AFLW) | From Ireland, was the Adelaide Crows’ first international women’s player. She is a talented Gaelic footballer with Clare and Kilmihil in Ireland’s mid-west region and is also part of the AFL Ireland Women’s West Clare Waves team. Played a couple of games for St Marys in the NTFL in season 2018/19. Can kick on both sides of her body and will play an important role forward in the 2019 VFLW season. |
| Dayna Cox * | Adelaide Crows (AFLW) | A dual premiership player with the Adelaide Crows, the no-nonsense small defender is back for her second season with NT Thunder. Has the ability to play any position on the ground but is most comfortable playing as a shut-down defender. |
| Gemma Cusack * | Waratah (NT) | Coming back from a long-term knee injury and has been consistent in rehab in preparing for the season. Will play several key roles for the team throughout the season and as a backup ruckwoman. |
| Tishara Davern * | Wanderers (NT) | A talented junior player having come through the NT Thunder Academy program. Plays with Wanderers FC in the NTFL and is a crafty forward that can find the goals at crucial times in games. |
| Jade de Melo | Waratah (NT) | A former Fremantle AFLW listed player who played two games in 2018. Was a newcomer to football in Darwin, de Melo joined Waratah late last year after relocating from Western Australia and was a key player in their successful finals campaign. |
| Charles Deegan * | Southern Districts (NT) | Originally from Cable Beach FC in Broome WA, played with NTFL club Southern Districts in the 2018/19 season. An agile utility that will have a role in the team as a medium defender. |
| Kylie Duggan | Darwin Buffaloes (NT) | Duggan amassed 10 games and three goals in her first VFLW season with Thunder and has excellent athleticism and skill. Is also a high-level basketball player who has had representative duties lately. |
| Michelle Ellis * | Pioneer, Pinktails (NT) | Her second year in the VFLW, has shown good form through pre-season and the internal practice match where she kicked six goals. Will predominately play in a forward role but can play in a number of positions. |
| Angela Foley * | Adelaide Crows (AFLW) | Inaugural NT ThunderW captain and Club Champion. Signed with the Adelaide Crows for 2020 and is a dual AFLW premiership player. Originally from Waratah FC in the NTFL and has been voted into the Thunder leadership group for the 2019 VFLW season. Will play an important inside midfield role where her competitiveness and experience will be invaluable. |
| Nikki Gore * | Adelaide Crows (AFLW) | Played two games for NT Thunder in 2018 and was drafted to the Adelaide Crows for the 2019 season, managing to play one game at AFLW level. The skilled utility will perform many roles in 2019 at VFLW level but will be mostly roaming through the midfield. |
| Jasmyn Hewett * | Adelaide Crows (AFLW) | Drafted to the Adelaide Crows for the season 2018 from St Mary’s FC in the NTFL. Has spent the past two seasons on the Crows list but was unable to play in the 2019 AFLW season due to injury. Has recently signed with the Gold Coast Suns AFLW side for the next two seasons. Will play a ruck and key position role in the 2019 VFLW season. |
| Jordann Hickey * | Melbourne (AFLW – delisted), Rovers, Pinktails (NT) | Was awarded NT ThunderW’s Rookie of the Year, as well as the Community and Media Award and finished fourth in the Club Champion voting in our 2018 season. Drafted to Melbourne FC with pick 31 in the 2018 AFLW draft but has since signed with the Gold Coast Suns for the next two AFLW seasons. A clever forward that is equally comfortable playing in defence. Originally from the Rovers FC and Pinktails program in Alice Springs. |
| Tahlia Holtze | Southern Districts (NT) | Has played footy in Darwin, Alice Springs and Katherine and also represented NT Thunder in 2018. She won the inaugural best on ground medal in the Big Rivers Football League women’s grand final and was a grand finalist for Southern Districts in the NTFL. |
| Samantha Hoogeveen-Hill | Pioneer, Pinktails, Southern Districts (NT) | A new signing for NT Thunder who hails from the Pioneers and the Pinktails in Alice Springs, and is a two-time CAFL Women’s Leading Goalkicker. Also had a few games with Southern Districts in the NTFL. |
| Kristy Irvine | Tracy Village (NT) | A well-respected NTFL player, played five games and kicked two goals for the club in 2018 before falling to an unfortunate hamstring injury on the eve of the finals. Highly skilled and attacks the contest. |
| Lateesha Jeffrey | Southern Districts (NT) | Known for her reliable kick, ability to read the play and intercept the footy in defence, she led Southern Districts to their first ever Grand Final appearance in the 2018/19 NTFL season. A 2018 player who has been promoted to ThunderW captain for 2019. |
| Morgan Johnston | Wanderers (NT) | Her most dangerous weapon is her elite kick, which she uses effectively playing as a rebounding defender. A 2018 Thunder player who will build on the six games amassed so far. |
| Eloise Jones * | Adelaide Crows (AFLW) | Played seven games for NT Thunder in the 2018 VFLW season and will look to add to that tally in 2019. The silky forward will fill an essential role in the forward line but may sneak through the midfield during the season. Returns to NT Thunder an AFLW premiership player with The Adelaide Crows in 2019. |
| Ebony Marinoff * | Adelaide Crows (AFLW) | Another Adelaide Crows dual premiership player returning to NT Thunder for the 2019 VFLW season. A star of the AFLW competition who has been named All Australian in both premiership years. Will mostly fill an important role in the midfield but look to add some forward line minutes to her game this season. |
| Hannah Martin * | Adelaide Crows (AFLW) | Drafted to the Adelaide Crows for the 2019 season from West Adelaide FC, played a significant role in the Crows AFLW premiership side. The clever utility can hold multiple positions on the ground but is most comfortable in front of goals. 2019 will be her first season in NT Thunder colours. |
| Jenna McCormick * | Adelaide Crows (AFLW) | Talented sportswoman having played at high levels in both soccer and AFLW. A dual premiership player with the Adelaide Crows, 2019 will be her second season in the NT Thunder colours. Smart forward that can play as a rebounding defender, always gives her all. |
| Ebony Miller | Pioneer, Pinktails, Southern Districts (NT) | Is no stranger to Territory football success, she first played in the NTFL in the 2006/07 season where she was awarded best on the ground in the grand final. Started with Pioneer in the CAFL and the Pinktails when those clubs both began. A member of the 2019 Thunder leadership group. |
| Lauren Motlop | Wanderers (NT) | Known for her competitiveness and understanding of the game, is a past NTFL premiership player who comes from a famous footballing family. Thunder player in 2018, has a strong frame and an ability to outmuscle opponents. |
| Danielle Ponter * | Adelaide Crows (AFLW) | From St Mary’s FC in the NTFL, hails from NT football royalty and was the first female from the Long family to win an AFLW premiership, playing for the Adelaide Crows. A talented junior that played for the NT Thunder Academy throughout her junior career. Well known for her uncanny goal sense, will continue to play that role at VFLW level in 2019. |
| Rebecca Pryer * | Waratah (NT) | Tall utility and premiership player from Waratah FC in the NTFL. Has the ability to play anywhere on the ground where her running capacity is a highlight. Will likely fill the role of an outside midfielder and shut down defender throughout the season. |
| Marijana Rajcic * | Adelaide Crows (AFLW) | 2019 AFLW Premiership player with the Adelaide Crows, the robust defender adds much-needed experience and smarts to the VFLW squad. Most comfortable in defence but can swing forward and impact the scoreboard, as witnessed in the 2018 VFLW season with Thunder. |
| Chelsea Randall * | Adelaide Crows (AFLW) | Star of the AFLW competition for the Adelaide Crows and is a dual premiership captain. Was awarded the 2018 Crows Club Champion as well as being named AFLW All Australian captain. A 2018 returnee who adds experience and leadership to the young 2019 VFLW squad. Will play several roles during the season but mentoring the young talent will be most valuable. |
| Sally Riley * | Adelaide Crows (AFLW – delisted) | Originally from Tracy Village FC in the NTFL. Spent the past three seasons playing for the Adelaide Crows where she was part of the leadership group. Has recently signed with the Gold Coast Suns for their inaugural AFLW team. Will play a critical forward role for NT Thunder in the 2019 VFLW season. |
| Lisa Roberts | Waratah (NT) | The 2018/19 NTFL Williams Medallist for best on the ground in the grand final, she is known for her leadership and run out of defence. A regular face at Thunder in 2018, returns to the role of vice-captain in 2019. |
| Machaelia Roberts | Darwin Buffaloes (NT) | Played 11 games and kicked four goals for the club in 2018 and is known for her amazing pace and intent. A premiership player with the Buffettes in the NTFL and the club’s best and fairest the past two seasons. |
| Katelyn Rosenzweig * | Adelaide Crows (AFLW – delisted) | An athletic, hard-working player that can play at either end of the ground. Katelyn was a member for the Central Allies team (comprised of both NT and SA players) who played at the 2018 NAB AFLW Under-18 Championships on the Gold Coast. Drafted to Adelaide Crows for the 2018 season, was unable to play a game at AFLW level but returns to Thunder in 2019. |
| Alicia Stanley | Waratah (NT) | A smart footballer who makes effective decisions, especially when transitioning from defence to attack, Stanley will play her first season in ThunderW despite being part of the group (injured) for the whole of 2018. |
| Katie Streader | PINT (NT) | Was awarded the ThunderW Karen Scheider Most Courageous Award in 2018 for her hard attack at the ball and second efforts. A pace-setter who consistently polls well in the NTFL Gwynne Medal count. |
| Stevie Lee Thompson * | Adelaide Crows (AFLW) | A two-time AFLW premiership player with the Adelaide Crows, was awarded the leading goalkicker in the AFLW for season 2019. Originally from the Wanderers FC in the NTFL, the speedy goal kicker also can be a shutdown defender. |
| Tayla Thorn | Southern Districts (NT) | Recognised for being athletic and providing plenty of run with her elite endurance, has AFLW experience with the Adelaide Crows (2017) and will once again be a dynamic addition to the 2019 ThunderW line-up. |
| Deni Varnhagan * | Adelaide Crows (AFLW) | An inaugural Adelaide Crow and dual AFLW premiership player. Back for her second season with NT Thunder in the VFLW, the speedy winger adds valuable experience and skill to the line-up. Will play many roles throughout the season but will spend time as an inside midfielder in 2019. |
| Celina Whan * | Darwin Buffaloes (NT) | A premiership player in her first season with the Darwin Buffettes, comes from a volleyball background. Will fill the role of a key forward in her first season at VFLW level but also has the ability to play down back. |
| Jaylah Williams * | Darwin Buffaloes (NT) | Solid, medium-sized defender from Katherine where she played in Eastside FC’s premiership in 2018. Also plays for the Darwin Buffaloes FC in the NTFL. |