NT Thunder prepares for its third away game this season against the in-form Southport Sharks at Fankhauser Reserve on Saturday.
Five changes have been made to this week’s team, for a variety of reasons. Passing a fitness test, Kieren Parnell makes his return after some swelling to his knee in Round 4 against Redland. While after working hard on and off the field, Chris Williams lines up for his first game for the year.
Likewise, Jack Monigatti will be rewarded for his efforts and make the transition off the emergency list and onto the field.
Dylan Barry will lace up for his fourth Thunder game of the season as he makes his return to the playing team after being unavailable in Round 5. Experienced defender, Daniel Weetra is also a welcome inclusion for the Territory outfit.
Due to injury, Josiah Farrer, Braedon McLean and Jacob Templeton will not play, with the latter two missing their first games for season 2019. Dean Staunton is an omission from the side but has been named as an emergency and will travel with the team. Due to the exciting pending birth of his second child, David Johnston is also unavailable this weekend.
Head Coach Darren Reeves has gone through the review process alongside his coaching staff from Round 5 and believes that the team has been preparing strongly.
“After last week’s result the coaching panel felt the need to look at the makeup of the team with some injuries and some guys back available for selection. We feel like we’ve come up with a team that’s best suited for this week’s game against the Sharks.
“It’s really positive that we’ve got Daniel Weetra and Kieren Parnell returning from injury this week. Equally, it’s great to have Jack Monigatti, Dylan Barry and Chris Williams back who have all worked exceptionally hard leading up to this opportunity.
At training Reeves has had the players mentally reset ahead of the challenge away from home.
“This week’s focus has been on intent, effort and contest work. We’re pleased at how well the players have responded to the review of our disappointing effort from last week in their training and preparation.
“We’re confident that we’ve got a committed group of 24 players traveling ready for the challenge,” he said.
NEAFL Round 6
Southport vs NT Thunder
1:30pm AEST, Saturday 11 May
Fankhauser Reserve, Gold Coast
B: Ben Rioli, Sam Dyke, Kieren Parnell
HB: Joe Anderson, Hugo Drogemuller, Daniel Weetra
C: Brodie Carroll, Clinton Gallio, Dylan Barry
HF: Chris Williams, Kieran Delahunty, Nick Yarran
F: Adam Tipungwuti, Trent Melville, Shannon Rioli (c)
FOLL: Jack Hannath, Ben Taylor*, Abraham Ankers (c)
INT: Phillip Wills, Dylan McLachlan, Jack Monigatti, Tylah Saunders, Jess Budarick
EMERGENCIES: Dean Staunton, Joel Stevens
IN: Dylan Barry, Jack Monigatti, Kieran Parnell, Daniel Weetra, Chris Williams
OUT: Josiah Farrer (hamstring), David Johnston (unavailable) Braedon McLean (concussion), Dean Staunton (omitted), Jacob Templeton (shoulder)
* Indicates 23rd player