No senior Thunder representative sides after NEAFL and VFLW teams are disbanded

TERRITORY Thunder’s representative face may be gone, but AFLNT boss Stuart Totham is still confident better player pathways can be created from the wreckage of the 11-year NEAFL operation

Yesteryear: Ben Rioli wins a contest against a Southport opponent at TIO Stadium. Picture: Glenn Campbell

TERRITORY Thunder’s representative face may be gone, but AFLNT boss Stuart Totham is still confident better player pathways can be created from the wreckage of the 11-year NEAFL operation.

An emotional Totham told the media yesterday his organisation’s charter was to ensure the game is played in every region and community and get the Territory’s youth into talent programs that will enhance their chances of playing at an elite level.

He was talking almost 24 hours after news broke that Thunder’s men’s team in the NEAFL and the women’s team that participates in Melbourne’s VFLW were no more.

“In 2010 we had 27 players on AFL lists, today there are 10 and the figures don’t lie, something in our system is not right,’’ Totham said.

“I was the first CEO in 2008 and worked hard with many others to set Thunder up, but Thunder in the NEAFL was putting resources in the wrong place and not allowing enough kids to get into programs and the opportunity to play at a higher level.

“(But) Thunder’s not being wound up or dying, we are changing the program to better achieve our goal of getting more players into the AFL system.’’

Totham conceded money had become a concern in what was an expensive venture into interstate football with all of its associated costs.

“Funding does factor in, we invest a lot of money into our two teams and if you’re looking at it from a business perspective, where is the return?’’ he said.

“We’re thinking we can get a better return with a new direction and I ask the AFL clubs to make the effort, don’t be lazy, get up out of your cozy Melbourne offices and get to know and understand our talent.’’

Totham met with his staff yesterday morning and NT Government officials in the afternoon to discuss the sudden developments.

The future of coach Darren Reeves will have to be sorted and that of women’s coach Heidi Thompson.

Government funding for the Thunder program amounted to $275,000 a year, money Totham will be keen to retain for future projects.

Another factor to be considered by league officials is no representative team will be wearing Thunder colours at senior level, bar potential matches against SANFL or WAFL clubs.

The increased focus on community sides, community talent, underage programs and remote player access is all about the individual.

Asked where it all went wrong, Totham said Thunder’s early years were positive, with five players drafted in 2010-11.

“Unfortunately the appetite for our talent has waned and head office (AFL) has spent a lot of money on the eastern seaboard that has impacted on us as well,’’ he said.

“I say to the AFL clubs take a bit more of a risk because the clubs have become risk adverse where they go for the safe option when I’m saying come and get to know us, understand the risk and work your way through it.’’