Darwin Buffettes captain Kylie Duggan says Ashanti Bush leading the way for youngsters coming through, anoints Dom Carbone as a future captain at double blues

BUFFETTES captain Kylie Duggan said it’s not hard to get motivated for the 2020-21 NTFL season. That is because so many gun youngsters are coming through the ranks at the double blues.

Buffettes captain Kylie Duggan has no shortage of motivation which will continue to drive her to set new heights in both the 2020-21 NTFL season, and also at the Jets in the DBA Women’s Championship. Picture: GLENN CAMPBELL

BUFFETTES captain Kylie Duggan knows it’s hard to get big numbers to pre-season training at this time of the year, with so many of her players committed to other sports, herself being one of them.

She also has the massive double responsibility of leading the so-far undefeated Tracy Village Jets in the women’s Darwin Basketball Championship.

But there is still a quiet confidence at the double-blues that the proud team will improve on its fourth-placed finish last season, before losing by a goal to eventual premiers Southern Districts in the first semi-final.

That is because the Buffs are receiving a big injection of high-quality youth heading into their 2020-21 NTFL campaign, the side to open its new season against reigning premiers Southern Districts in Round 2 at TIO Oval 2 on October 10.

“We’ve got a lot of our players who have committed to other sports, so it’s been tough to get big numbers together at training,” Duggan told the NT News.

“We’ve lucky we’ve got the bye in Round 1, and this is just how it is.

“But we’ve got quite a few under-18s coming through this season.”

The exciting thing for Buffettes fans is that its under-18 outfit won the 2019-20 premiership, finishing the regular season undefeated, before exacting revenge on St Mary’s after losing to the Green Machine by eight points in the qualifying final.

Buffettes then beat them comfortably 6.9 (45) to 2.14 (16) in the grand final.

Darwin Buffaloes captain Jarrod Stokes says side has come a long way, would ‘do anything’ to win the 2020-21 NTFL premiership

Buffaloes captain Jarrod Stokes says game plan looking good heading into 2020-21 NTFL season

Tracy Village Jets women’s skipper Kylie Duggan relives her favourite premiership during the team’s 13-straight Darwin Basketball titles

“Ashanti Bush is one to look out for, and she will be playing in the Big Rivers Football League Grand Final (for Arnhem against Katherine South) on Saturday,” Duggan said.

“Molly Althouse, Keira Kurnoth, Talia Corrie, Clessae Desatge and Tiahne Clarke are others we’ve got coming through who will be strong players for us.

“They’ll give us more run and more energy in the legs this season.

“They’re naturally talented footballers.”

With such an emphasis on building the impressive junior talent coming through at the Darwin club, it is no surprise that Dominique Carbone is already seen as a team leader and future captain.

Carbone – also a star for Lightning in the DBA Championship – only turns 19 on Friday.

“Dom hasn’t played footy for long, but she has such a strong work ethic and she really wants to succeed,” Duggan said.

“She’s still very young but she’s in great shape.

“She has what it takes to go to that next level, and she also has what it takes to take over the captaincy at some stage.

“I won’t be around in that role forever, and I hope Dom is someone who can take over.”

Duggan is 36 on Sunday, but still playing outstanding football.

She was in her team’s best a whopping nine times last season.

And that’s not to mention the fact she was a constant during the Jets’ remarkable run of 13 consecutive DBA senior women’s titles, consistently among her side’s best during that winning streak.

There is no shortage of motivational factors which continue to see her raise the bar year after year in both football and basketball.

“I love helping young women develop, and a lot of the time it’s not about telling them ‘this is how you do it’,” she said.

“I like to lead by example. It’s about how I present myself to my teammates on and off the court or field which is important.

“I’m really passionate about both the Jets and Buffettes – they’re my family clubs.

“Hopefully Dom and Erin Geer (at the Jets) can take over my roles.

“And I’ve always said I’d love to play League basketball with my daughter (Kaylani), who’s 13 and playing Division 1 at the moment.

“After that happens I’d be happy to take a step back.”