Time to farewell our greats and acknowledge their legacy

17.08.18 13:05

This week marks the final chapter for some of NT Thunder’s favourite sons, outstanding servants of this young club. The legacy they will leave will be everlasting and the memories never forgotten. In such a short history, it’s amazing to think of their achievements. Multiple premierships, club and league awards.

Many great players have built reputations on performing in important games, over the past ten seasons, Darren Boof Ewing and Ryan Smith have done just that in an NT Thunder jumper and no doubt will again this Saturday. With finals out of the question, we still have a lot to play for. Pride, respect and the opportunity to shape what the NEAFL ladder will look like going into finals.

After the announcement of Boof’s retirement this week, it was a good time to sit back and reflect on his 10-year, 193 game career with NT Thunder. Some amazing accolades, a two-time premiership player, 10 club and six league-leading goal kicking awards, NEAFL team of the year on seven occasions and a massive 780 goals over the journey. That’s an average of over four goals per game, a staggering achievement.

With all of his outstanding performances, he is a very humble man. Never seeks any attention, praises teammates for their work and just goes about his business of kicking goals. As the Ewing and other great players’ chapters close, we look to the next young group of players to rise to the occasion and forge their own legacy and reputation at NT Thunder.

The future looks bright, with plenty of young talent pushing for regular spots in the senior side. If the young lads of the future need any inspiration as to how best to represent the NT, they need not look any further than the greats that pull on the yellow, ochre, black and white for the last time at TIO Stadium this Saturday night.

I encourage you all to get down and join the guard of honour for our retiring club legends just before our game. Go Thunder!