8 players to look out for in the 2021-22 NTFL Men’s Premier League this season
The 2021-22 NTFL Men’s Premier League — which starts tonight — is primed to be a thriller with Territory talent and interstate stars alike facing off for premiership glory. CHECK OUT OUR 8 players to look out for this season.
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The 2021-22 NTFL Men’s Premier League is primed to be a thriller with Territory talent and interstate stars alike facing off for premiership glory.
The NT News takes a look at just some of the players to look for in the season to come.
ANDY MONIZ-WAKEFIELD (NIGHTCLIFF TIGERS)
He’s the young star in a team of champions and if all goes to plan for him he looks set for another massive season at the Tigers.
He made his premier league debut against the Tiwi Bombers and never looked back consistently finding his way into his team’s best and kicking 10 goals from 12 appearances.
That’s no easy feat considering Nightcliff is now eyeing a four-peat with stars such as Cam Ilett, Dom Brew and Trent Melville right across the side.
Moniz-Wakefield will participate in the 2021 AFL Draft Combine on October 9 as he continues to push his case for AFL selection.
NIGEL LOCKYER JR (ST MARY’S)
The 2021 CAFL Minahan medal winner is a massive signing for a St Mary’s side looking to once again push for a premiership flag.
The young gun has made statement after statement in 2021 as he continues to bid for a place in the AFL.
And nine goals in the CAFL final for Rovers and 15 goals across five games for North Adelaide in the SANFL Reserves prove he is in a purple patch of form.
He will link up with new Saints captain Nathaniel Paredes and new vice captains Kieran Parnell and Jackson Calder.
BRAEDON MCLEAN (WANDERERS)
Wanderers will have their strong crop of interstaters once again but its captain Braedon McLean who will perhaps play the most important role in the side.
His ability in defence will have more than one side on the back foot as he spins an opposition’s promising attack into a strong counter move for the Eagles.
Joining him in the Wanderers leadership group is Brenton Motlop who has been training the house down following an NRL NT reserve grade premiership win with the Nightcliff Dragons.
Also look out for the up and coming young players that the Muk Muks have prided themselves on for the past few years.
ROB TURNBULL (WARATAH)
Fresh off a successful premiership winning season with the Cairns City Lions Turnbull is back at Tahs on the hunt for another flag.
He won the club best and fairest in his first season with the Tahs and now makes his return as both a co-captain (alongside Brodie Carroll) and the side’s strength and conditioning coach.
Expect him to be everywhere for the Warriors linking up in the midfield with the ever-consistent Abe Ankers.
Waratah have a big season ahead of them with 140-game VFL player James Munro set to bring plenty of experience while Dane Swan will make a cameo in round 10.
JARROD STOKES (DARWIN BUFFALOES)
The 2017-18 Chaney Medallist will lead the Buffs once again and it’s talent that his young side will look to for inspiration.
When Stokes is on song so are the Buffs and their early season form in the 2020-21 season was indicative of that.
A number of senior players have recommitted around him including vice-captains Tim Eldridge and Shaun Ah Mat, while Charlie Sharples will make his return.
But perhaps most promising for the Buffaloes is their depth in youth with Thomas Clarke and emerging talent Cassien Sambono.
BRODIE LAKE (SOUTHERN DISTRICTS)
Territory AFL draft prospect Brodie Lake will make an appearance for Southern Districts this season as he continues to push his case for the big leagues.
He’s spent the past few months starring for Peel Thunder in the WAFL and will make the transition back to star once more for his junior club.
Districts will be hoping he brings with him the fighting spirit he is known for as they look to push for a finals berth.
And with captain Dean Staunton putting in the miles and Josiah Farrer coming off a Big Rivers premiership with Katherine South there’s plenty of form in the side.
MICHAEL COOMBES (PALMERSTON MAGPIES)
Michael Coombes will trade the double blue of the Darwin Buffaloes for the black and white of the Palmerston Magpies in the 2021-22 season.
The experienced campaigner will bring with him plenty of experience and leadership as the Magpies look to fly under new coach Josh Heath.
And that experience which includes winning two premierships with St Mary’s will be crucial for the young Palmerston unit.
He will join other strong leaders such as Matt Dennis and Eric Guthrie as well as young guns such as Ryan Warfe, Riley Stone and Sandy Brock.
DION MUNKARA (TIWI BOMBERS)
If there’s one thing to be expected about Dion Munkara it’s that he will bring the excitement factor.
And expect to see plenty of his skill and speed this season as he’s been awarded for his loyalty by being named co-captain alongside mainstay Paddy Heenan.
They’re expected to be a much improved unit this year after a winless 2020-21 season and with Munkara at the helm expect to see plenty of magic as well.
Adam Tipungwuti and Kim Kantilla will serve as Tiwi vice captains who will each bring plenty of excitement themselves.
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