Tiwi assistant coach Brenton Toy nears the end of a coaching career that includes three clubs
BRENTON Toy’s tenure as an assistant coach at NTFL club Tiwi Bombers might only have three games left, but winning remains his preferred option
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BRENTON Toy’s tenure as an assistant coach at NTFL club Tiwi Bombers might only have three games left, but winning remains his preferred option.
The Bombers, fifth on the Premier League ladder, play bottom side Palmerston on Saturday night, Waratah in a midday game on Bathurst Island the following week and Southern Districts at Fred’s Pass in Round 14 to wind up Toy’s time at the Tiwis.
Toy takes up his new role as the AFLNT’s manager of talent at the end of January with his Bombers looking up, rather than down, in their pursuit of a top three berth.
One and a half wins and 40 premiership points separate them from third-placed Southern Districts, a gap Toy is confident his side can close before the finals series kicks off in late February.
Key defender Rory Lehmann and former West Coast midfielder Ashton Hams have relocated to the Top End in a boost to the side’s height and body strength.
“There’s not a lot of difference between finishing fourth or fifth, but from our perspective the gap between second and fifth is surmountable,’’ he said.
“If we can get a good win over Palmerston and launch ourselves from there we’re a big chance to finish top three and that’s certainly our aim.’’
The Bombers flew home in the post-Christmas period last season before weariness saw them lose by big margins in the second semi and preliminary finals to eventual grand finalists Nightcliff and Districts.
“We had to win five of the last seven last season to even play finals and we ere kind of lucky we did,’’ Toy said.
“At least this time we’re one or two games ahead of where we were and in a decent position without the added pressure of not making the finals.
“What is important is there is a feeling among the coaching group and the players that we’re good enough to get to third spot and it’s anybody’s game after that.’’