Nightcliff star Cameron Ilett ‘loving’ his time at Rovers in Alice Springs, names some of the best players in the CAFL

CAMERON Ilett sees playing in Alice Springs’ 2020 CAFL competition as a great opportunity to promote and strengthen Territory football, even though he should be playing at an arguably higher level in a cancelled Victorian competition right now.

Cameron Ilett pictured during the 2019-20 NTFL Grand Final, which his Nightcliff outfit won by 13 points over his former club St Mary’s. Ilett will run out for Rovers against Federal in a top-of-the-table CAFL blockbuster at Traeger Park on Saturday. Picture: Glenn Campbell

• Cam Ilett has ‘a couple of years left’ yet, he says

EVER the glass-half-full man, Cameron Ilett sees playing in Alice Springs’ 2020 CAFL competition as a great opportunity to promote and strengthen Territory football, even though he should be playing at an arguably higher level in a cancelled Victorian competition right now.

The Nightcliff Tigers champion was set to play a second season for Tongala in the Murray Football League, after retiring from a decorated NT Thunder career at the end of 2018.

His plans to play in football-mad Victoria this year – after a typically brilliant and consistent first season with the Blues in 2019 – were curtailed by the coronavirus pandemic which has brought Victoria to a standstill.

But Ilett – one of the Territory’s best modern-day footballers – has instead thoroughly enjoyed his time at Rovers in the Red Centre.

In a massive boost for the first-placed team, the Tigers assistant playing-coach will run out for the side against Federal in a top-of-the-table blockbuster at Traeger Park on Saturday.

His third appearance for the Double Blues this year will qualify him for finals football.

And Ilett – an eight-time NTFL premiership winner with St Mary’s (six) and Nightcliff (two) and three-time NEAFL champion with Thunder – will do everything he can to add a CAFL flag to his decorated career.

“I’ve had an absolute ball playing for Rovers. The COVID-19 situation isn’t ideal, but it’s enabled me to play footy here in the Territory,” the two-time NTFL Nichols Medal winner told the NT News.

“I had a discussion with (Rovers president) Rob Clarke, and I took my family down to Alice and played two games against Federal and Pioneers.

“Rovers have really looked after me and my young family.

“I had been to Alice over 20 times in the past with Thunder, but this gave me a great chance to get out and see the region.

“There are so many quality players down there, and I’m looking forward to my third game this weekend which will qualify me for finals.”

The NT News asked Ilett to rate the best players currently in the Red Centre and he wasn’t short of names.

“Obviously, Abe (Ankers at Federal and a star for Waratah in the NTFL) has been the benchmark in Alice Springs for the past few years. And he was exceptional at Thunder,” Ilett said.

“At Rovers the talent we have is unreal.

“It’s evident why Essendon was looking at Nigel Lockyer Jr (who is the competition’s equal leading goalscorer with 18 from just four games).

“He’s got a lot of ability and is a super athlete.

“Others who come to mind at Rovers are Tosh Kunoth, Baydon Ngalkin, Gareth Remfrey, Zane Clarke and Dylan Barry who plays in the NTFL (with Southern Districts).

“And Curtly Hampton (a former Giants and Crows AFL player at Pioneer) moves as smooth as they come.”

Ilett always loves a challenge, and he has been impressed with how competitive the CAFL is.

“For me, this has been a great opportunity – playing in Alice Springs strengthens the relationship between the NTFL and CAFL,” the 35-year-old said.

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“And the CAFL provides a great opportunity for all the talented players in the surrounding towns.

“The negative of not being able to play with my extended football family at Tongala has been offset by the opportunity to go to Alice Springs, experience Central Australian footy and take my family on a holiday.”