Buffaloes-Djarrak sister club union reaping dividends as the double blue jumpers produce a gem

GOVE football product Djamatjama Wunungmurra is the youngest recipient of an NTFL Rising Star nomination

Gove product Djamatjama Wunungmurra is the Round 17 NTFL Rising Star nominee after a four-goal debut for the Darwin Buffaloes. Picture: Tymunna Clements/AFLNT Media

GOVE football product Djamatjama Wunungmurra is the youngest recipient of an NTFL Rising Star nomination.

The Darwin Buffaloes speedster is in the NTFL system as a result of the union between NTFL club Darwin Buffaloes and Gove AFL side Djarrak..

The Premier League debuts of 15-year-old Djamatjama Wunungmurra and another player from the northeast, Nathaniel Cooper, proved to be big hits, with both players picking up plenty of possessions and kicking goals.

Yirrkala’s Wunungmurra just edged his rival in terms of goals — booting four to Cooper’s two — and best player votes.

The 15-year-old won the Round 17 Rising Star nomination with his goal haul, all of them calculated shots after finding space, even turning provider on two other occasions to set up goals.

The Round 17 nomination came as no surprise to his coach Matt Campbell, who was mightily impressed by both players after they earned promotion from the under-18 competition.

“Djamatjama is from Yirrkala where they always seem to produce footballers with a lot of skills and tons of pace,’’ Campbell said.

“We knew of both players’ ability after their performances in the U18s and they didn’t let us down when they played in the senior side.’’

Croker Island’s Cooper, the younger brother of St Mary’s and Palmerston goalsneak Justin, was also conspicuous with his work around the packs and the goals, booting his first goal from a sharp angle on the quarter time siren.

Other good performances in Round 17 came from classy Southern Districts defender Brodie Lake, who was outstanding in his side’s win over Palmerston and St Mary’s Jacob Long.

This season’s Rising Star will be announced at the Nichols Medal count on Sunday, March 8.