Northern Territory U18s to face NSW/ACT in last match of National Championships
Thursday 19th May 2016
The Northern Territory Thunder U18 State Academy Boys are heading to Queensland to play NSW/ACT on Sunday 22nd May at Metricon Stadium.
The squad of 23 travelling to the Gold Coast was named following the team’s final training session on Wednesday night.
It is the third and final match of the 2016 NAB AFL National Championships, with the NT side defeating Tasmania by 69 points at TIO Stadium in Round One before losing to Queensland by 87 points in Round Two of the Championships.
Thunder will be looking for its second win in its campaign and State Academy Development Head Coach Andrew Hodges said the game will be a chance for the team to redeem themselves following last week’s disappointing loss.
“We’ve had to make six changes this week due to injury and unavailability.
“The team we have playing on Sunday is very similar to the squad that took on and beat Oakleigh Chargers in a TAC Cup development match recently,” Hodges said.
“In the last seven weeks we have travelled five times which has been a great learning experience for the boys on how to best prepare themselves when playing on the road.
“Over the course of the development matches and National Championships we have seen our players perform strongly with quite a few members showcasing their natural talents,” Hodges said.
In exciting news, Ben Long returns to the side following a week out due to school commitments.
“It is great to have a leader in Ben come in to the side to support his team.
“NSW/ACT are a quality opposition and have remained undefeated in these Championships,” Hodges said.
“They are on top of the ladder and our boys have prepared well this week before we take them on at Metricon Stadium.
Attached is a document that has the Northern Territory Thunder U18 team travelling to the Gold Coast to play NSW/ACT this weekend.
Any media wishing to speak to players, coaches or administration are encouraged to set up times with Amy Blake or Nadine Rabah.
NT Thunder Game 3 v NSW/ACT
Backs: 26. Keenan WATERBURY 35. Jordan JEFFREY 14. Kevin MARONEY
Half Backs: 15. Lauchlan McKENZIE 12. Patrick TABAN 2. Ben LONG
Centres: 24. Jamie HAMPTON 10. Xavier CUBILLO 8. Rohan ARMSTRONG
Half Forwards: 23. Matthew BRICKNELL 25. Nigel LOCKYER 27 Daly SHANNON
Forwards: 19. Isaiah FARRELL-NELSON 16. Ezekiel FRANK 11. Josh O’BRIEN
Ruck: 32 Tony OLANGO 33. Mckenzie LAWRENCE 31. Leslie MARONEY
Interchange: 29. Ankin ABBOTT 21. Matt BLAKE 4. Michael MUMMERY
6. Jasper HUTT 3. Ryan MU
Out: Michael HAGAN, Brandan PARFITT, Domonic GRANT, Marcus TOTHAM, Liam McDONALD, Marcus VALASTRO
In: 2. Ben LONG, 26. Keenan WATERBURY, 31. Leslie MARONEY
NEW: 4.Michael MUMMERY 187/60 13/06/2000
6. Jasper HUTT 192/75 08/01/1998
21. Matt BLAKE 186/76 09/01/1999