NTFA and SFL best on grounds push for representative game to return in 2026
NTFA’s Isaac Thompson has played a lot of footy, 244 games to be exact but the man from Hillwood has made a huge call around what the win against the SFL in the inaugural Community League clash meant to him. Here’s what he said.
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Across Isaac Thompson’s 244 game career, he has played a number of representative games but none have felt like the “best rep win” unlike the one against the SFL in the Community League rep game on Saturday.
Thompson was named best on ground for the NTFA in the sides come from behind win at Campbell Town.
Playing for Hillwood in the NTFA, Thompson has played four representative games, donning the V when he has lined up against NWFL or SFL.
“I have played a lot of footy but nothing compares to a win like that one,” Thompson said.
“To be down by 36 points and then to have the belief within the group to know we can get the job done, unreal.
“That is by far the best rep win I have been part of, that was such an awesome win.
“We just didn’t give up, it would have been easy to just roll over and take the loss with how well they were moving the ball.
“But credit to our players and coaches to have the belief to get the job done.”
SFL kicked six unanswered goals in the first 17 minutes of the third quarter to blow out to the 36-point lead before the NTFA kicked the next three of the quarter and the last seven of the match to win by four points.
Thompson was used mostly as the swingman off of half back to attack as NTFA just flicked the switch midway through the third term.
The NTFA were kicking to the southern end of the game in the final quarter, an end which had 18 goals kicked to it out of 24 – SFL didn’t kick a goal into the northern side of the ground.
SFL defender Will Poland was also named best on ground for the south.
“Oh look yeah it is disappointing we lost that one, they got on the run and we couldn’t stop them, they played some really good footy,” Poland said.
“I can see why people could think we were just trying to save the game but it wasn’t anything like that.
“They (NTFA) just lifted in that last quarter and stopped our ball movement and got on a run and we just couldn’t stop them.
“It was a great game and it was really enjoyable to play along side blokes I would usually play against.”
Thompson said he would be happy to see the rep footy return in 2026.
“Any time you get the chance to play rep footy, its pretty awesome,” Thompson said.
“It would be great to see it happen again next year and hopefully we can get the NWFL in as well.”
Poland agreed with Thompson.
“We will play Premier League in a rep game if we have to,” Poland said.
“It is great to be able to represent our region and these are great games of footy as we saw today.
“Whether it is NTFA or NWFL even, it will be something I am sure all us lads want to do every chance we can.”
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Originally published as NTFA and SFL best on grounds push for representative game to return in 2026
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