Premiership coach Fred Campbell to marshall the Redtails Pinktails team against Sunraysia
Alice Springs’ representative football team will take on the might of Sunraysia in regional Victoria in a clash dubbed ‘Dreamtime at the P’. See the full squad.
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Alice Springs’ famous Redtails Pinktails Right Tracks team will take on a Sunraysia representative squad on April 15 at the Mildura Sporting Precinct.
Dubbed the “Dreamtime at the P”, ex-AFL ruckman Paddy Ryder will compete for the Redtails, alongside Southern Districts forward Dylan Barry and one of the all-time great Central Australia Football League goalkickers in Thomas Gorey.
The game will have a particular focus on inclusiveness, acceptance, tolerance and understanding between different cultures while encouraging conversations about the challenges faced by Indigenous Australians.
And Redtails co-ordinators Rob Clarke and Stan Coombe have provided background intel on all the players.
The full Redtails Pinktails Right Tracks squad
Fred Campbell coach
Playing 12 AFL games (five games with Sydney, seven with St Kilda), Campbell was drafted by the Swans after a stellar U18 season that produced Harrison and Everingham medals. He also coached Rovers’ 2012 CAFL premiership.
Kurt Abbott (1)
Regarded as an all-time great of the Ti Tree Roosters in bush footy, Abbott also starred for Rovers in the CAFL, playing in all of their five straight flags from 2017 to 2021.
Able to produce at either end, and through the middle, Abbott played with South Adelaide’s reserves last year through the Redtails Pinktails Right Tracks program.
Tyson Woods (2)
A speedster from Yuendumu that graduated from Territory representation at Under 18 level into a potential matchwinner on his day in senior footy, mainly as a goal kicking small forward with an occasional run on the ball.
After switching from South Alice Springs to Rovers, Woods also turned out for North Adelaide’s reserves last year via the Right Tracks program.
Bradley Turner (3)
One of the veterans of CAFL football, now South Alice Springs skipper in the second half of his senior career after serving Federal with distinction over a long period.
Still has pace, and always been a skilled user of the ball, Turner is fitter than ever and starred in a recent trial with South Adelaide’s reserves.
Keithan Martin (4)
A Yuendumu youngster starting to make an impression in senior footy, not only with his eye-catching pace and skills, but also through his fitness levels and commitment to the Redtails’ training program under his mentor Kurt Abbott
Shaydan Close (5)
Hasn’t played senior CAFL footy yet but was an Alice Springs juniors before his family moved interstate.
Close returned to Alice this year as a strongly built midfielder/forward and will trial with North Adelaide’s reserves this season.
Denzel Anderson (6)
Has put together a couple of excellent seasons in the CAFL for West, and will add outside pace to the Redtails as a wingman or rebounding, running defender.
Dwayne Powell (7)
Powell is coming back from long term injury which cost him a chance to play in last year’s Pioneer premiership team.
Sharp kicking skills are a feature of Powell’s game and he can play as a forward or a defender.
Andrew Richardson (8)
Has not played any CAFL footy yet, having recently arrived in Alice Springs from Mildura, but has committed strongly to the Redtails’ training program.
Jamal Lynch (9)
Playing for Ltyentye Apurte in bush footy, Lynch has also been a star in the CAFL for both Pioneer and South Alice Springs.
Lightning quick, he has used that asset to enhance his reputation as a quality wingman or rebounding, running defender.
Jeremiah Scrutton (10)
A much travelled young talent originally from Ti Tree.
Completing his schooling in South Australia, where he played junior footy, Scrutton represented the NT at Under 18 level while juggling high level basketball commitments along the way.
His height is an asset in the ruck and key position roles.
Michaelis McMasters (11)
A welcome return to CAFL footy a couple of seasons back after establishing his senior career in the NTFL.
An NT representative at Under 18 level, McMasters was a key running midfield player in South’s 2014 premiership side.
Kane Sevallos-Seden (12)
Based in Tennant Creek for the past four seasons and a key midfielder in the Spitfires’ four straight flags.
Combining AFL Barkly footy with the CAFL, Sevallos-Seden added a premiership with Pioneer last year to his impressive resume.
Dominic Forbes (13)
A solid key defender who is also adept in a midfield role.
Plays for South Alice Springs in the CAFL after developing as a junior at Federal when he was an automatic selection in the Territory’s Under 16 and Under 18 teams.
Dustin Oliver (14)
Just a few years into his senior career, with stints with Ltyentye Apurte in bush footy and South in the CAFL.
With pace to burn, he’s suited to the wing or as a running defender.
Thomas Swan (15)
Only 19 years old, Swan is already an accomplished senior CAFL footballer and an important part of the 2022 Pioneer premiership side.
A speedy wingman that loves a contest, Swan is on the way to becoming a Redtails lock, having played against the Big Rivers Football League two years ago.
Kynan Kenny (16)
A key player in the dominant South Under 18 teams that have claimed two flags from their last three grand final appearances.
Kenny handled the step up to senior football last season, displaying the poise and maturity of a seasoned campaigner.
Deacon Braun (17)
Straight from Under 18 footy into a leadership role in the senior side for South, the strongly built product is from of one of the club’s most famous and revered families.
His style of footy reflects that of his predecessors: a physically tough, highly-skilled and team-focused approach.
Braun will trial with North Adelaide’s reserves this year.
Dylan Barry (18)
Strongly built midfielder and forward that has produced an outstandingly successful decade of footy that yielded five CAFL premierships with Rovers and a 2018 Everingham Medal.
A mainstay of the Redtails’ line up, Barry has also been a star for Southern Districts in the NTFL and the NT Thunder.
Tyrell Woodbury (19)
An exciting to watch, tall but slightly built young defender that stepped into senior football last year in fine fashion.
His game in the 2022 grand final was outstanding and a major factor in Pioneer’s narrow victory.
Shaun Byrne (20)
A South youngster that had an immediate impact when stepping into senior football.
One of his team’s best in a narrow grand final loss last year, with a dashing display in a small defender’s role.
Will trial with South Adelaide’s reserves this season.
Ezra Cleary (21)
An experienced player in the CAFL for both Rovers and West, Cleary is now in the prime of his career.
A highly effective, no-nonsense defender who not only restricts opponents, but also generates play with his sound decision making and disposal skills
Isiah Forbes (22)
Like younger brother Dominic, Forbes started at Federal and is now playing for South where father Chris is senior coach.
While much shorter than his older brother, he is extremely quick, skilful and versatile.
Can play as a small forward, defender or on the wing.
Jack Farrell (23)
Just 16 years old, Farrell’s talent is highly rated.
Playing four senior CAFL games for Rovers last season, he got the nod from coaches and selectors for the Dreamtime at the P match by also impressing with his commitment and work ethic on the training track
Luke Adams (25)
A veteran of CAFL footy with outstanding service to both Pioneer and Rovers in his 15-year senior career.
Adams has also been a mainstay of the Redtails teams for a decade, since playing in their inaugural match in 2012.
Daniel Stafford Jr (26)
A tall forward from Mt Allan who led them to a bush footy Division 2 flag in 2021 and Division 1 premiership the following year – winning best on ground medals in both games – kicking nine and five goals respectively.
Playing for South Alice Springs in the CAFL, he was a Minahan Medal winner in 2018.
Sabian Liddle (31)
An athletic and versatile player starting to fulfil his potential now that he has a couple of seasons of senior footy under his belt.
A third-generation player at Pioneer, his grandfather Michael D Liddle won two CAFL best and fairest medals in the 1960s.
Paddy Ryder (32)
A star of the AFL over 281 games, providing distinguished service to three clubs: Essendon (170), Port Power (73), St Kilda (38).
One of the very best ruckmen in the game over the last decade and a half, Ryder earned All-Australian selection in 2017.
An absolute thrill for every other player on the ground, either as a teammate or opponent, such is the universal respect for his contributions on and off the field.
Jamie Hampton (41)
Currently playing with Gepps Cross in South Australia, Jamie is the younger brother of former GWS and Crows player Curtly Hampton.
An outstanding junior career, representing NT at U16 and U18 level, Hampton made his senior CAFL debut as a 16-year-old.
A pacy and skilful midfielder, he is capable of going forward or back if required.
Thomas Gorey (42)
One of the all-time great CAFL goalkickers, having won the competition’s award seven times as well as being a three-time leading goalkicker in bush footy.
More of an all-rounder than traditional full forward, give Gorey an inch and he’ll take a goal.
Tyler Hayes (46)
From Santa Teresa, the solidly-built key defender only played locally for Ltyentye Apurte a handful of times due to his schooling in Darwin.
Made his Men’s Premier League NTFL for Wanderers as a 17-year-old earlier this year.
Ex-AFL ruckman Paddy Ryder to play for Redtails Pinktails
Former AFL ruckman Paddy Ryder will strap on the boots for an Alice Springs representative team in regional Victoria this Saturday.
Ryder, who played 281 games for Essendon, Port Adelaide and St Kilda in the big league, will take to the field with the Redtails Pinktails Right Tracks squad against a Sunraysia Football Netball League representative team at Mildura Sporting Precinct on April 15.
He told News Corp earlier this year he wanted to “give back” to the wider football community.
Dubbed the “Dreamtime at the P”, Ryder trained with the squad in preparation at Albrecht Oval late last month while advising the club’s 17 and under squad before they travelled to Sydney last month to take on Newington College.
He also visited Yipirinya School in the Red Centre.
Redtails founder Rob Clarke said Ryder, who had become an official program ambassador, was keen to make his mark against Sunraysia, likely to play in the ruck and rotate into the forward line.
“He’s playing for the Redtails,” a beaming Clarke said with great pride.
“He’s all in he reckons, he’s pretty happy.
“He was amazed at the level of the (Redtails Pinktails) women, he said it was absolutely incredible to watch and be a part of ... their skill is AFLW (level).
“It was really good that he came, (he was) really down to earth.”
Also pulling on the Redtails jumper is Southern Districts forward Dylan Barry and speedy Rovers defender and budding actor, Kurt Abbott.
The historic match will place a particular focus on inclusiveness, acceptance, tolerance and understanding between different cultures, with an aim of encouraging healthy conversations about the challenges faced by Indigenous Australians.
The Redtails have played against several tough opponents in their short history, including the Big Rivers Football League, a New Zealand national side and SANFL club Woodville-West Torrens.
However, Ryder won’t be the only ex-AFL player to take part with Wentworth product and West Coast’s pick 13 in the 2017 draft, Jarrod Brander, and former Croc and two-game Hawk Dallas Willsmore, playing for Sunraysia.
Rob Clarke’s players to watch
Paddy Ryder
Needing no introduction, the former Essendon, Port Adelaide and St Kilda ruckman retired from the AFL last season after 281 games.
Ryder, who has become an official ambassador for the Redtails Pinktails program, is expecting to ruck and rotate into the forward line against Sunraysia in Mildura.
After leaving the Bombers at the end of the 2014 season, Ryder returned to the club last season as a player development manager.
Ryder will be prepared, having played for Devon Meadows in the Mornington Peninsula Football Netball League.
Dylan Barry
Recruited from Rovers Football Club in the Central Australian Football League, the 25-year-old inside midfielder with a strong goal sense represented the NT Thunder early in his career and played five reserves matches for South Adelaide.
The Alice Springs product, cousin of former Demon and Power player Dom, has previously said the Redtails program has been “massive” in his development.
Barry slotted 13 goals from seven games in Men’s Premier League with Southern Districts in 2022-23 – including two in a losing grand final to Waratah – on the back of 14 from 12 the previous NTFL season.
Kane Sevallos-Seden
The Tennant Creek inside midfielder has been a Redtails exponent for many years now.
Originally from Alice Springs, the inside midfielder has played for the Sporties Spitfires in the Barkly Australian Football League and Pioneer in the CAFL.
“He’s very skillfull and hard at it,” Clarke said.
Shaydan Close
A forward and midfielder from Alice Springs, Close relocated to NSW with his family as a youngster, joining the Sydney Swans Academy at 16 years of age.
Leaning on Swans legends Adam Goodes and Michael O’Loughlin as mentors, and playing a game for the club’s NEAFL team in 2019, Close eventually moved back to the Red Centre specifically for the Redtails program.
The 22-year-old, a former Flying Boomerangs member, is “hard at it, brilliant to watch”, Clarke said.
Also a talented rugby player, Close played for Labrador in the QAFL in 2022 and was a Rovers junior.
Kurt Abbott
A Yirara College product and CAFL premiership player with Rovers, Abbott is a damaging half back flanker who, like Sevallos-Seden, has been involved in the Redtails program for years.
“He’s a fantastic Redtails lad,” Clarke said.
“He has speed to burn.”
Katherine-born Abbott, once clocked by GPS at 34 km/hr in a CAFL match in 2021, is also a budding actor – appearing in SBS and NITV drama series True Colours – and played for South Adelaide’s reserves team.
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