The NT Thunder has surpassed a lot of other NT representative sides and have now put the myth of the Berrimah Line behind them in emphatic style at TIO Stadium
Early this morning players and staff of AFL Northern Territory and the Northern Territory Football Club said farewell to the Berrimah Line at a sombre ceremony which saw the remains of the "mythical" divisive line laid to rest.
"This is defining moment in Northern Territory sport will lay the foundations for future progression of sport in the Territory," Said AFL NT CEO Tony Frawley.
Since the inception of the NT Thunder last year the line has been in steady decline and with the new team uniting Territorians both North and South of the line it was only a matter of time before the line lost the will to live.
Although the line’s health has been in decline since learning of the new state team playing games in both Alice Springs and Darwin , the shock of hearing how the whole of the Territory has got behind the team as they head towards the QAFL finals is thought to have finally killed off the Berrimah Line’s will to live.
Essendon Legend and AFL Ambassador Michael Long was the honorary undertaker for the funeral today and although the funeral itself was an emotional affair for some, Michael Long has been quoted as saying that although the passing of the line will be mourned by a few old Territorians it is now time for the Territory to move on as it has been divided over the line for far too long.
"This mythical line has played too much of a role in the development of representative sport in the Northern Territory," said Frawley. "The time is now with the NT Thunder to put this myth to rest and really show support for Territory wide programs, not just in AFL but in all sports."
Pallbearers who carried the casket containing the remains of the Berrimah Line included NT Thunder CEO Stuart Totham, AFL NT CEO Tony Frawley.
Reasons why the Berrimah Line No Longer Exists
- NT Thunder currently have 15 players on their 48 player list that are from outside of Darwin, 10 of which are from below the mythical line.
- 230 of the 1000 strong membership database are from outside of Darwin and south of the Berrimah Line.
- The NT Thunder play minimum of four of home games in Alice Springs each year with the possibility of a home game being held at Tennant Creek and Katherine in the future.
- School Boys Thunder U’15 have 16 players from regional areas and only 9 from Darwin
- NT Thunder U’16 team list has 19 players out of their 30 man squad from regional and rural; areas of Darwin
- NT Thunder U’18 side has 14 out of its 40 man squad from rural and regional areas of the Northern Territory.
- NT Thunder senior team have played 10 players from regional Northern Territory.
- AFL NT has invested large proportions of money into developing football in Tennant Creek, Alice Springs, Katherine, Gove, Groote Eylandt, Wadeye and Tiwi Islands
- AFL NT offers a wide range of opportunities for not only a talent pathway but for remote communities to come to Darwin and play in school tournaments and the annual AFL NT KickStart Country Championships where teams from Alice Springs, Katherine, Maningrida, Tennant Creek, Wadeye, Groote Eylandt and Tiwi Islands were present for.
- The NTFL’s Annual Defence Force Carnival attracts up to 26 teams from around the state and below the supposed ‘line’ and provides life long opportunities for people outside of Darwin.