AFLNT has announced the NT Thunder U19s to take on Tasmania Devils at Highgate Reserve in Craigieburn in the NAB League

AFL Northern Territory has announced the under-19 NT Thunder Academy team ahead of its first appearance in the NAB League competition on Sunday.

The NT Thunder Academy under-19 side will take on Tasmania Devils on Sunday. Picture: AFLNT Media

AFL Northern Territory has announced the under-19 NT Thunder Academy team ahead of its first appearance in the NAB League competition on Sunday.

Thunder Academy will run out on the national stage against the Tasmania Devils at 12.30pm (NT time) at Highgate Reserve in Craigieburn, Victoria, Sunday.

AFLNT talent manager Simon Hargrave said because this was the first of four times the Thunder Academy boys will take the field during the NAB League this year, it will be important for the team to play competitively and cohesively.

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“With a squad comprising of players from all over the Territory, our plan is to go out strong, keep composure and play as team,” he said.

“The agility and speed our Tennant Creek products, Lachlan Dunemann and Andrew Green, will bring to the NAB League series will be spectacular to watch, in addition to our Papunya Central Australian X-factor pair Shane Inkamala and Sam Pearce, who are best known for their athleticism and natural footy flair.

“This season the boys from Tennant Creek have demonstrated their strong footy skills from not only playing in the Barkly Football League, but also from when commuting regularly to Alice Springs to compete in the Central Australian Football League.”

Gold Coast Suns Academy prospect Riley Stone, 17-year-old NTFL premiership-winning young gun with Nightcliff Andy Moniz-Wakefield, and Wanderers and SANFL West Adelaide recruit Ronald Fejo Jnr are also featured in the line-up.

Antonio James, Jai Jeffrey, Liam Coach, Taj Buitenhuis and National Academy player Ned Stevens are absent from the list due to injuries.

“Although we are missing a couple of key players, I’m looking forward to watching how the Thunder boys stack up against Tasmania, another team on the rise,” Hargrave said.

Fans interested in following the team on Sunday can do so through the NAB League app.

NT Thunder Academy Round 5 squad

1 Cooper, Nathaniel

2 Moniz Wakefield, Andy

4 Tedcastle, Beau

5 Barrett, Tom

7 Matricardi, Darcy

8 Fejo Jr, Ronald

9 Pearce, Sam

10 Baldock, Isaiah

11 Dunemann, Lachlan

12 Stone, Riley

13 Inkamala, Shane

14 Fairchild, Rory James

15 Roberts, Luke

16 Politis, Petros

17 Green, Andrew

20 Johnston, Lloyd

21 Cole, Jackson

22 Baird, Jason

23 Watts, Jaeden

24 Clarke, Thomas

25 Jones, Jamie

26 Hollamby, Joshua

27 Evans, Tadhg

28 Gikas, Christos

18 Breed, Jaxson (E)

NT Thunder Academy NAB League Appearances

NAB League Round 5

NT Thunder Academy v Tasmania Devils

Date: Sunday, May 23

Time: 12.30pm (NT time)

Location: Highgate Reserve

NAB League Round 6

NT Thunder Academy v GWV Rebels

Date: Sunday, May 30

Time: TBC

Location: Mars Stadium

NAB League Round 7

NT Thunder Academy v Calder Cannons

Date: Sunday, June 6

Location: Highgate Reserve

NAB League Round 8

NT Thunder Academy v Eastern Rangers

Date: Sunday, June 20

Location: Highgate Reserve