A total of 631 days will have passed since Phillip Wills last pulled on the NT Thunder jumper when he runs onto TIO Stadium this Saturday night to play Gold Coast Suns in Round 7 NEAFL action.
Wills, who has been a familiar face around Thunder for years, has overcome a serious groin issue and will bring his usual toughness and chase for the contested ball when he lines up for his first Thunder game since the 2016 elimination final.
Joining Wills in the middle and also in time for Richard Tambling’s milestone 50th game, will be big man and dual premiership player, Ryan Smith whose return to the Club was announced last week.
Tiwi pair, Dion Munkara and Ross Tungatalum have recovered from their respective ankle and back injuries to be included in the side, while key defenders Sam Dyke and Kaine Riley will also play their part.
Missing their first games for the 2018 season will be Tom Davies, who suffered a concussion during the third quarter of last week’s loss to Southport and Hugo Drogemuller who has a quad complaint.
Youngsters Jack Munkara and Bradley Stokes have been omitted, along with Patrick White and Shaun Wilson, with the latter two listed as this weekend’s emergencies.
After a disappointing few weeks, NT Thunder Head Coach Andrew Hodges said the team was eager to show what they were capable of and had more reason than ever to put in a good showing.
“There’s a lot to be excited about this weekend. Not only have we all seen Willsy work his backside off to get his body right and to earn the opportunity but it’s also Richard’s 50th game, and the return of Smithy is something to be celebrated.
“These three guys are the consummate professionals who have great belief in the program and over the many years have driven the standards and culture at the Club.
“And on top of it all we have the privilege of being the first men’s team to play after the women’s VFL W side on home soil,” he said.
Speaking specifically of this weekend’s opponents, Hodges said the team was keen to atone for the elimination final loss they suffered at the hands of the Gold Coast Suns last season.
“They bundled us out of the finals last season but since then both teams have undergone some changes, and though they’ve suffered heavier defeats than us, we won’t be taking them lightly. We know they’re tall, agile, and blessed with AFL talent but we know if we play our best footy we are up to the task.
“Even if they include a couple of our old NTFL guys or past Thunder players,” Hodges said referring to the expected inclusion of Thomas Motlop and Eddie Sansbury in the Suns’ Round 7 team, “then we’ll be ready. They have a touch of Territory flavour, but we’ve got a whole team raring to go.”
NEAFL Round 7
NT Thunder vs Gold Coast Suns
6:30pm ACST
Saturday 19 May
TIO Stadium, Darwin
B: Ben Rioli, Sam Dyke, Joe Anderson
HB: Cameron Ilett, Kaine Riley, Sam Smith
C: Braedon McLean, Abraham Ankers, Jarrod Stokes
HF: Shannon Rioli, Scott McLeod, Matt Campbell
F: Adam Sambono, Darren Ewing, Ross Tungatalum
FOLL: Ryan Smith, Chris Williams, Phillip Wills
INT: Sam Talbot, Richard Tambling, Patrick Heenan, Jack Monigatti*, Dion Munkara
EMERGENCIES: Patrick White, Shaun Wilson
IN: Sam Dyke, Dion Munkara, Kaine Riley, Ryan Smith, Ross Tungatalum, Phillip Wills
OUT: Tom Davies (concussion), Hugo Drogemuller (quad), Jack Munkara (omitted), Bradley Stokes (omitted), Patrick White (omitted), Shaun Wilson (omitted)
* Indicates 23rd player
You can live stream this game on ThunderVision thanks to Tatts