The NT Thunder Under 18s team to take on the Sydney Swans Academy in Round 3 of the Academy Series this weekend has been named with four changes to the team that narrowly went down to Tasmania in Round 2.
Thunder rookie for the 2018 NEAFL season and Alice Springs local, Jackson Cole, will bring his strong attack on both the ball and the opposition with him as he re-joins the team after playing in Round 1.
He will also be joined by Pioneers and NT Thunder rookie teammate, Shawn Foster, with both players eager to gain the win on their home turf.
Wanderers’ Beau O’Connell and Nightcliff’s Marly McGregor will put aside their NTFL rivalry this Saturday when they put on the NT Thunder colours for the first time this year when they run out at TIO Traeger Park, Alice Springs.
Missing this week will be Beau Schawrze after being reported in the Round 2 clash against Tasmania for striking. Schawrze received a one match suspension due to his previous good record.
Also sidelined for Saturday’s game is Ben Jungfer with a shoulder complaint. Dillen Brown and Jeremiah Scrutton were omitted.
Academy Coach Jimmy Driscoll said the team will be looking to work on the areas they lacked in the first two games of the Academy Series to hopefully seal the win.
“After the first two rounds against some strong opponents we have identified what areas of our game needed working on. The boys have put in the right level of training required to get them over the line in this week’s match.
“I have been really pleased with our overall pressure throughout the matches so far this series and believe that Round 3 presents a tough challenge against the Sydney Swans but also the opportunity to put the boys training into practice and hopefully reap the rewards.
“Our improvement from Round 1 to Round 2 was significant so I’m looking forward to seeing that continual improvement,” he said.
Under 18 Academy Series – ROUND 3
NT Thunder vs Sydney Swans Academy
5pm ACST Saturday 28 April
TIO Traeger Park, Alice Springs, NT
B: Jackson Cole, Coen Hutt, Joel Budarick
HB: Matthew Green, Rodney Baird, Dominic Forbes
C: Joel Stevens, Marly Mcregor, Malcolm Rosas Jnr
HF: Liam Holt-Fitz, Matthew Cumming, Leonard Ferreira
F: James Bell, Shawn Foster, Izaak Wyatt
FOLL: Stephen Cumming, Michael Mummery, Mitchell Pemberton
INT: Tyson Kidney, Beau O’Connell, Deacon Braun, Robert Campbell, Jeffrey Simon