Litchfield Bears forward Dillan Vanderburg fired up ahead of what may be his last NRL NT grand final

STANDOUT forward Dillan Vanderburg feels Litchfield fans will be pivotal in inspiring himself and his teammates when they look to seize the NRL NT A-grade title for the third year in a row against Brothers

Litchfield prop Dillan Vanderburg is fired up ahead of the 2020 NRL NT grand final against Brothers. Picture: PATRINA MALONE

STANDOUT forward Dillan Vanderburg feels Litchfield fans will be pivotal in inspiring himself and his teammates when they look to seize the NRL NT A-grade title for the third year in a row against Brothers.

Vanderburg has been one of the standout forwards for not only the Bears but in the NRL NT competition this season, making tackles and hitting defensive lines hard week after week.

Being part of the team’s premiership wins in 2018 and 2019 was a great honour for the prop and he’s looking forward to contesting a grand final once again against Darwin Brothers, in what may be his last final.

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“I’m so keen for this final. I may not be playing rugby next year with some other things going on so I’m really keen to play in what may be my last grand final,” he told the NT News.

“The boys are really getting around each other at the club and the number of supporters that have come down for training has really lifted the vibe around the club.

“The atmosphere on the night will be amazing. Our supporters have been there all year round and we play our football for them.

“Brothers are one of those teams that you never know what to expect, but they will be hyped after that performance against Palmerston (winning the preliminary final 26-18).

“We will just focus on our football and look to do what we do well. If we can do that we should be able to dominate.”

The prop has been a long-time member of the Bears, joining the club from Palmerston Raiders to play in the under-12s, and later making his A-grade debut at the age of 16 in 2017.

And it is the supporters and camaraderie around the club that keep him coming back year after year.

“Litchfield is such a family-oriented club and that’s always been a massive draw for me,” Vanderburg said.

“You know who everyone is around the club and the guys are always hanging out together after training or at the gym.

“Alongside winning the two A-grade premierships that has to be the highlight of being at the club.”

2020 has been massive year for the big forward who has many times crashed through his opposition’s defensive lines to give his backs plenty of room.

However, he credits a lot of his success to the support and hype he receives from his teammates such as Adam Hall, captain Luke Mahood and Litchfield’s halves pairing of Matt Goodfellow and Jack Willis.

“I think I’ve had a good season, but I can’t take all the credit for my performance,” Vanderburg said.

“90 per cent of what I do is all about how the boys push me each week and the support I get from them.

“They get me hyped each week and inspire me to push harder. And for me I’m just all in for my teammates.

“That’s the thing about Litchfield, everyone supports each other. For our younger guys we just want them to play their own game and we will support them as they come through.”

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Vanderburg and his Litchfield Bears outfit will face-off against the Darwin Brothers from 7pm on Saturday.