What do you think of his choices? Today Grey names his HALF FORWARDS.

.

IT’S the great unanswered question in the long history of the AFL — what would a Northern Territory side look like if it was a fully-fledged team playing premiership matches every week?

Many theories have been put forward on the ‘whys’ and ‘why nots’ of a Darwin-based Territory AFL side, most of them surrounding the infrastructure and long-term viability of a team from Australia’s far north.

1. The full back line: The NT’s ‘greatest’ AFL side

2. The half back line: The NT’s ‘greatest’ AFL side

3. The centres: The NT’s ‘greatest’ AFL side

But what really matters to the average punter is the 18 players on the field and four interchange players waiting for their chance to wear the ochre, white and black jumper against AFL heavyweights like Collingwood, Essendon, Richmond and West Coast.

I have chosen Territory players from 38 years of AFL representation through several clubs and placed them in a 22-strong side I believe would have competed on a level playing field with any of the elite in this country.

This is not intended to be a best-of-side, even though there are several superstars in the starting XVIII who made their name with rival clubs.

What I have looked for is balance, experience and the all-important ‘X’ factor Territory footballers have always delivered on Australia’s greatest sporting stage.

— GREY MORRIS

.

HALF FORWARDS

Shaun Burgoyne (Port Adelaide and Hawthorn)

Position: Half Forward Flank

Games: 384

Honours: 3-time Hawthorn premiership player, 2004 Port Adelaide premiership player, 2006 All-Australian

NO Territory team would be complete without the silken skills of Shaun Burgoyne, who through his deeds as a player with Hawthorn and Port Adelaide earned the nickname ‘Silk’.

Burgoyne can play anywhere in the Buffaloes team, starting in the last line of defence and running right through to the forward line, where his clean skills, tremendous vision and strength at the contests wins him a large slice of possession.

A superb kick and strong mark, Burgoyne’s decision making and ability to find teammates further up the ground with pinpoint delivery, fits in nicely with his appetite for goals where he is approaching the 300-mark, 171 of them coming from his time as a Port Adelaide goalkicker.

Richmond, Essendon to play in Darwin AFL double-header weekend

AFLNT’s rule and by-law changes for 2020-21 NTFL season

.

Nathan Buckley (Brisbane and Collingwood)

Position: Centre Half Forward

Games: 280 (260 Collingwood, 20 Brisbane)

Honours: 2003 Brownlow Medal, 2002 Norm Smith Medal, 7-time All-Australian, 6-time Collingwood B@F, 1992 Magarey Medal, AFLNT Hall Of Fame

ONE of the greatest players of all time, Buckley’s playing record speaks for itself.

He began his playing career at NTFL club Southern Districts, where even at a young age he attracted the attention of opposition players and AFL clubs with his superb skills and ability to run all day.

Caught in a tug-o-war between Collingwood, Brisbane, Geelong and North Melbourne, he worked out a deal to play the 1993 season with the then Bears before embarking on a spectacular career at Collingwood.

Buckley made his name as a midfielder and attacking defender, but asked by this writer in 1998 where he enjoyed playing, Buckley said a key forward role was always a challenge he accepted with glee.

A magnificent kick, strong mark and a visionary in terms of where he put the football, ‘Bucks’ would have been a big part of the Buffaloes’ makeup.

.

Ronnie Burns (Geelong and Adelaide)

Position: Half Forward Flank

Games: 154 (124 Geelong, 20 Adelaide)

Honours: 5-time Geelong leading goalkicker

A SURPRISE selection for some pundits, Burns makes my side through his insatiable appetite for goals and ability to create scoring opportunities from almost nothing.

Playing alongside Gary Ablett Sr for a big portion of his career might have baulked lesser players, but Burns used his leg speed and ability to find space even on the tight confines of Geelong’s home ground to kick goals from every angle.

Originally from Melville Island, the man they called “Rockin Ronnie” in seven seasons at Catland was a crowd favourite with his bow and arrow interpretations after kicking a goal and left foot snaps from anywhere on the forward line.

LIMITED TIME – Discounted NT News subscription: Read everything for $1

.

SO, that’s GREY MORRIS’ ultimate Territory AFL team’s HALF FORWARDS. What do you think of his picks?

DON’T forget to check back here on Wednesday when GREY selects his FORWARD LINE. Who do you think will make the cut?