Another Kantilla on the rise at the Tiwi Bombers after Matthew steps up in his debut season

MATTHEW Kantilla comes from a long line of footballers blessed with the natural skills and talent of their great grandfather David

Matthew Kantilla has joined a long list of Tiwi islanders to be nominated for the NT News Rising Star. Picture: Tyumma Clements/AFLNT

MATTHEW Kantilla comes from a long line of footballers blessed with the natural skills and talent of their great grandfather David.

Kantilla Jr won the Round 10 nomination for the NT News Rising Star with his performance on the wing against the Darwin Buffaloes.

David Kantilla, a premiership player with South Adelaide in 1964, would have looked down at his namesake with a lot of pride.

Last Saturday’s clash with the Buffaloes was his ninth game in his debut season.

Playing on the wing where he rotated through the forward line for long periods, Kantilla booted two goals in a quiet but effective show of class from the 17-year-old.

Tiwi assistant coach Brenton Toy is a big fan of Kantilla’s ability to find the football in contested and uncontested match situations.

“We’ve been playing Matthew on a wing, up forward and even down back where he can find the footy on a regular basis,’’ Toy said.

“Having to win the contested ball is no problem for him and when he gets the uncontested ball he uses it well to the side’s advantage.’’

Nightcliff, Palmerston and Wanderers had some good contributors on a round where both clubs had varying numbers of young players on the ground.

The Eagles got maximum use of the football from Beau O’Connell in a scrambling game at Gardens Oval where gaining possession of the ball required a lot of concentration and time.

The Tigers got another four quarter performance from Tyson Kidney and Palmerston Magpie Jonty Patrick has the potential to be a leader at his club.

The prestigious $500 2019-20 Rising Star will be announced at the Nichols Medal count in March.