Wanderers’ new president Josh Wilson eager for club’s competitive revival

Wanderers are eager to improve their standing with a new committee naming finding a home ground a top priority as the AFLNT conducts a competitive balance review.

Wanderers president Josh Wilson with his senior coaches for the 2024-25 NTFL season.

Wanderers have a proud NTFL history but with other clubs out performing them on and off the field their new committee is eager to make a change with finding a home of their own a priority.

The foundation club started the competition alongside the Darwin Buffaloes and Waratah, but as the league has expanded to nine teams they remain one of the only clubs without a home ground.

It’s an issue that has set them back in an era which relies increasingly on southern talent that clubs set up with a home and ways of getting money have better access to.

Wanderers last played in a men’s A-grade grand final in the 2016-17 season ending an era of six appearances that started in 2008-09 and delivered the 2010-11 and 2014-15 premierships.

In the seven seasons since they’ve only appeared in finals twice when Shannon Motlop coached in 2020-21 and 2021-22, otherwise finishing in the bottom three.

Meanwhile, the women’s side has struggled at the bottom and been at the mercy of major defeats.

New president Josh Wilson played in Wanderers’ last grand final and one thing he’s noted in the interim period is the transition from largely local teams to the increased arrival of interstate talent.

“It’s an honour to take on this role, I’ve spent a long time here and this club means a lot to me,” Wilson, who’s been involved in the club since 2004, said.

Josh Wilson was named best club person after the 2024-25 NTFL season.

“I really want to try and drive toward positive change and find a way toward a sustainable future and rebuild the club.

“We’ve just been ticking along and been a bit stuck in our ways but we have to be open to new things and change otherwise we will be left behind.”

It comes as the AFLNT has proposed a competitive review into the competition.

In those seasons the Eagles made finals they benefitted from strong inclusions such as now Geelong listed Shaun Mannagh and Brodie Newman, who went on to play with Glenelg in the SANFL.

Juniors Lloyd Johnston and Joel Jeffrey have since gone to the Suns, while Nichols winner Beau O’Connell moved interstate meaning the club’s top end talent hasn’t been consistently available.

In the 2024-25 season, the Muk Muks shifted to increasing their own interstate numbers with Billy Crofts and Cody Leggett among others building competitiveness in the front half of the season.

Billy Crofts playing for Wanderers in the 2024-25 NTFL season. Picture: David Bradley / AFLNT Media

However, their form fell off when they were unable to bring their interstate talent consistently while their player spend was still about $100k less than the top sides.

At the moment Wanderers and St Mary’s cycle TIO Oval 2 as their training ground every year meaning on off years the club doesn’t get to train under lights at their own facility.

The hunt is on for somewhere new as a result, which they hope to eventually make permanent, with a recent study confirming their want to stay in the Northern Suburbs.

One possibility is Tracy Village, where they play some home games, but that would require a deal with the existing clubs there, and Wanderers will have to weigh that against other options.

“We’ve been booted off TIO 2 this year and have to use a council oval, that’s something I really want to change,” Wilson said.

“That’s something I’ve been working on with AFLNT to get set up somewhere else particularly as the competition grows with more teams.

“Somewhere we can train and a home ground with a club house, which is probably a five year plan, is priority one and two for us, so we have our own catchment area and a sense of community.

“It’s critical we nestle in the Northern Suburbs somewhere and get on the ball with government, AFLNT and other stakeholders for this to work.

“There’s clear evidence in the competitive balance review that the clubs with home grounds make more money and do better, but we’re also mindful there’s a lot of work that goes into it.”

Head of AFLNT Sam Gibson said the league had been in talks with Wanderers to help find somewhere they could call home.

“We’ve had positive conversations with them around ensuring a home base and that would be a priority of theirs,” Gibson said.

“With Wanderers and other clubs looking for venues for training or as a base working collaboratively, particularly with government, is really important.

“Working with government to understand what it looks like in terms of venue or enhancing existing venues, particularly for Wanderers is a priority.”

Originally published as Wanderers’ new president Josh Wilson eager for club’s competitive revival