Hot Dogs in Top End

The Western Bulldogs reminded the 11,400 fans at Marraras's TIO Stadium lastnight of their class, beating a dissappointing Port Adelaide by 54 points. The 20.15 (135) to 11.15 (81) win was the first for the Bulldogs in a three-match series against Port in Darwin and gave them a temporary hold of tap spot on the AFL ladder.Good Bulldogs players were easy to find on a night when 11 Bulldogs kicked goals , with Adam Cooney, Jason Akermanis, Nathen Eagleton, Ryan Griffen, Daniel Cross and Ryan Hargrave all big possession winners.

Port Adelaide played the better footy in the early exchanges and deserved its early lead when David Rohan converted from 25 metres after some good lead-up work by Daniel Motlop and Shaun Burgoyne. Goals were hard to come by for the Dogs until Brad Johnson rollled one through from 10 metres after some strong body work and crowd favourite Akermanis kicked another one when Lindsay Gilbey presented him with the football. But with Hargrave impassable accross half back and South Adelaide recruit Griffen taking his own football to the ground, the Bulldogs went began to bark in the second quarter. Griffen booted two goals in the term, including a long run down the wing with a desperate Motlop in pursuit.

The Bulldogs kicked eight goals to two in the quarter to take a 45- point lead into the main break - a margin that should have been greater after Akermanis and Johnson hit the post from five- metres out. But Akermanis, who got plenty of cheers everytime he went near the ball, provided the match highlight after outmuscling Burgoyne and soccering through a goal that would have held its own in Euro 2008.

Johnson and former Crow Scott Welsh were other beneficiaries of the work of Griffen, Adam Cooney and Daniel Giansiracusa, with both players booting three goals in half-time. At the other end Port Adelaide struggled to get some system going, with occasional cameos from Justin Westhoff and Adam Thomson the only shots the Power fired in the first two quarters. 

$1m PLEDGE FOR NATIONAL STAGE

A Territory football team will play in the Queensland State League and the NT "Storm" Netball team will join the Australian Netball league it was announced on Saturday 28 June.  The deal was struck after Energy Resources of Australia and Rio Tinto pledged $1 million over five years to give young Territorians the opportunity to compete interstate, on the national stage.

The Announcement was made by AFL NT chairman and Darwin alderman Bob Elix and ERA chairman Dr David Klingner at the curtain raiser to the Western Bulldogs and Port Adelaide clash at TIO Stadium on Saturday. A further $600,000 in funding for the program has come from the NT Government, Commonwealth Government, AFL, Pratt Foundation and Qantas. Mr Elix said it will provide structure for the sports careers of talented Territorians. "It will bring great benefits to football, netball and the people of the Northern Territory ", he said. " We know that they are going to be great - more importantly it will put structure in place for their futures."

Dr Klingner said that the announcement was very special. " This is about providing a career pathway for our young players." he said." They don't have to move away anymore- they can train here."

Tony Frawley (AFLNT), David Klingner (ERA), Libby Beath (ERA), Stephen Creese (RIO Tinto)

A condition of the program is that all players will need to be studying, training or working to be involved. After the announcement, the 11,400- strong crowd roared with the arrival of the Western Bulldogs and Port Adelaide sides to the ground. Libby Beath said it was very exciting to be there. "It is an opportunity to see some AFL " she said." I'm a Port supporter and it has to be them taking it out ...."

Kosta Karthpathios said he was backing the dogs all the way. " They're going to win alright," he said. I'm expecting a good game ." Charlie Maillis said being at the game was very exciting. " I was here last year as well,"  he said." It's good to see them play up here.

The AFL Northern Territory is looking for Level 2 accredited field umpires for it’s up coming 2008/09 NTFL season. If you are looking for an opportunity to fast track your umpiring career then this may be for you.

The AFL Northern Territory will be offering 4 -6 contracts for the 2008/09 TIO NTFL season. The AFLNT will pay the bond for rental accommodation, travel costs from your current address and return flights home for Christmas. You will also be paid in-accordance of the AFLNT/NTFLUA’s new 3 year CBA agreement. If you are successful AFLNT will endeavour to assist you to find employment whilst in Darwin. To become a successful applicant in this program you will need to consider following points: 

• Must have Level 2 NUAS in Australian Rules Football Field Umpiring
• Must be available to Field Umpire during the 2008/09 TIO NTFL season which runs from 4th of October 2008 to 22nd of March 2009 with a week break during the festive season
• Field Umpire to the best of your ability
• Prepare fully and professionally
• Learn as much as you possibly can during games and at training sessions
• Behave well on and off field
• Enjoy the whole experience of what the Northern Territory has to offer

Past participants in the NTFL competition include current AFL Umpires Hayden Kennedy and Brett Rosebury. Brett umpired the 1998/99 NTFL season and the NTFL grand final before heading back to his WAFL umpiring panel. Since 2000, he has been a member of the AFL panel. Brett said “it was a great experience in the Top End for the 6 months I was there and it was a great stepping stone in my career by umpiring good quality footy in a 3 umpire system”. Scott McPhee (WAFL) is also an interstate field umpired who spent last season in the Top End umpiring in the NTFL. He has recently umpired in the 2007 NAB Under 18 National Championships. You can contact Scott on smcphee84@optusnet.com.au to find out more about his Top End experiences.

For further details about this once in a life time opportunity please contact:

Mark Noonan -Umpiring Development Manager
AFL Northern Territory
Phone: (08) 8980 4811
Mobile: 0411 037 811
Email: mnoonan@aflnt.com.au

Applications close Tuesday 19^th August 2008- 5pm CST 

MARRARA AUSKICK CENTRE

Marrara Auskick Centre had their final session last week in beautiful dry season conditions.  On the final morning they had a jumping castle, face painting as well as their normal skill development activities. Presentations concluded the final session with all participants getting a certificate and Auskick medal.

St Marys Football club were in attendance to help with coaching and to present the medals and certificates. In addition to this each Auskicker also received a St Marys Auskick t-shirt. During the season players from the Northern Territory Thunder squad also helped out with coaching at various Auskick centres.

The Marrara Auskick team was directed by Coordinator Shaun Tongi and Head Coach Gary Wall. The team was well supported by helper coaches who helped develop fun and exciting sessions for the future champions each week.

A special thankyou to the Marrara Christian College for the use of their great facilities.

ROOKIE WATCH-'JUNIOR BOY' & 'AUSSIE' CONTINUE THEIR RAPID RISE TO STARDOM

 It’s been another big month for Cyril ‘Junior Boy’ Rioli and Austin ‘Aussie’ Wonaeamirri, with both players continuing to excel in their first year of senior AFL football. Since their debut matches this year, both Rioli and Wonaeamirri have played every game for their respective clubs and have cemented their place in the team with consistent performances in the past month.            

Rioli has continued his red hot form with an impressive month of football. In Round 8 ‘Junior Boy’ had his radar slightly off, kicking 1 goal 4 behinds, to finish with 14 disposals in the Hawks 15 point win over Port Adelaide. ‘Aussie’ was a rare shining light for the Demons in Adelaide, pulling in 9 marks for 17 touches and a goal, in the Demons 76 point loss to the Crows. In Round 9 ‘Junior Boy’ and ‘Aussie’ clashed for the first time in AFL football when the Hawks and Demons went head to head at the M.C.G. Both players rose to the occasion in a hard fought contest, Wonaeamirri was one of the best for the Demons with 16 touches, 6 marks, 2 tackles and 2 goals. At the other end of the ground, quite    literally, Rioli stared for the Hawks kicking 3 goals 1 behind to finish with 14 disposals in the Hawks 19 point win. Both Rioli and Wonaeamirri had quiet days in Round 10, both having just the 9 disposals. The local lads were back in the thick of it in Round 11 with ‘Junior Boy’ gaining 14 touches and 5 marks in the Hawks 51 point win over the Bombers. Wonaeamirri had his first taste of the ‘really’ big stage when the Demons faced off against Collingwood in the annual Queen’s Birthday clash in front of nearly 60,000 people. Wonaeamirri lit the M.C.G. up in the first quarter with 2 goals to help the Demons to an unexpected 5 point lead. ‘Aussie’ was one of his teams best, finishing with 3 goals as Melbourne put in a gallant performance, pushing a red hot Pies outfit to lose by 21 points.

                              
Easy for some: Cyril Rioli has made AFL                                                       Rare Shining Light: 'Aussie' has become a cult figure at the Demons. 
football look easy during his first year

For fellow Northern Territory product Cameron Stokes, his form has been solid for the Hawks feeder club Box Hill as he attempts to break back into the Hawks side.Unfortunately for the former Darwin Buffaloe, Stokes tore his hamstring in his sides Round 7 clash vs. Port Melbourne. Stokes was in red hot form, kicking 3 goals in the first half before tearing his hamstring early in the third quarter. He’s expected to miss between 4 to 6 weeks. One week earlier Stokes was again in the goals, kicking 2 goals in a 17 disposal, 5 mark display against Geelong’s VFL side. Port Adelaide’s Marlon Motlop continues his tutelage as an AFL footballer and is currently playing with at North Adelaide. Making his debut in Round 9, Motlop made an immediate impression for the Roosters with 3 goals in his sides 20 point win over the Eagles.

Santa Teresa have returned home from Melbourne after the trip of a lifetime. The side spent 6 days in Melbourne visiting landmark tourist attractions and completing 2 games of football. Having won the community division of the 2007 Defence Jobs AFL Carnival, Santa Teresa won the opportunity to play on the M.C.G. in the curtain raiser match to the ‘Dreamtime at the G’ match, which is the AFL’s focal point for the 2008 AFL Indigenous Round. After months of planning, on Saturday May 24th, the wait was over. Santa Teresa faced off against the powerful Fitzroy All-Stars. The side from the   Ltyentye Apurte region failed to cope with the wet and slippery football on the hallowed turf of the M.C.G. and lost in a spirited contest 17.14 (116) to 9.8 (62). Selwyn Anderson, who had a brief spell with Waratahs in the NTFL last year, was adjudged Best on Ground for Santa Teresa, impressing with his forays into the forward 50 from his position on the wing and half-forward. A pre-match highlight was the unity shown between both sides, by linking the arms of all players and the umpires in the centre of the ground, to symbolise their stance against child abuse and violence against women.                

Santa Teresa’s journey created huge media publicity with a throng of media shadowing the team for the duration of their trip. The match was played live on Imparja Television and broadcast live on ABC Radio. The match was also streamed live to    Federation Square in Melbourne, where thousands of people waited to start walking with ‘The Long Walk’. 8 players and 2 coaches had their 5 minutes of fame on television, appearing on Channel 9’s AFL Footy Show on Thursday night. Earlier in the week the side played a practice match against a team from the Victorian Police and trained at Richmond Football Club’s   training ground, Punt Road. After the training session the AFL’s Indigenous Ambassador Michael Long (pictured below right) addressed the players with a stirring speech of pride and emotion, outlining their importance as role models for other Indigenous communities in the Northern Territory.

KICK AROUND AUSTRALIA

Thursday 7 August will mark 150 years since the first recorded game of football was played. To celebrate this milestone, Kick Around Australia Day has been scheduled, giving all Australians the opportunity to join in the celebrations.

As part of Kick Around Australia Day, primary and secondary schools around the country are encouraging students to wear their footy colours to school, organise kicking and handballing competitions or complete one of the new footy themed programs that have been developed in line with the curriculum.

To register your school, visit afl.com.au/schools.

Businesses across Australia are also invited to join in the celebrations by offering employees the opportunity to stop work and have a kick of the footy on August 7 or wear their footy scarf to work. 

Community football clubs can take part in the festivities by holding a BBQ or pie night after training

To find out more about how you get involved in Kick Around Australia Day, visit 150years.com.au.