Nightcliff Tigers look for third NTFL premiership
NIGHTCLIFF captain Phillip Wills couldn’t be happier with the way his team has prepared to defend its NTFL title for the third-straight time in 2020-21
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NIGHTCLIFF captain Phillip Wills couldn’t be happier with the way his team has prepared to defend its NTFL title for the third-straight time in 2020-21.
And that is because of the younger generation which has led the way during pre-season training.
Livewire Ryan Mu, a leader at the club but still just 21, has been highly vocal in these gruelling sessions.
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“You have young Ryan Mu … He’s been getting the boys in at training when we’re regrouping, and then talking it up,” Wills said.
“That’s his role now to start stepping up as well. He brings energy which is good to have, and the young fellas all bring a great eagerness. It’s deadly.”
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That young Tiger brigade – now nipping at the heels of experienced club legends such as Wills, Cameron Ilett, Brodie Filo and Nathan Brown in their push for Premier League starting spots – is a continually growing group of highly talented players ready to take their opportunities this season.
“Andy Moniz Wakefield has been good, with his brother Graham,” Wills said.
“Christos Gikas played last season with us in A-grade, and he’s looking pretty good as well.”
Right across the Tigers playing group, Wills believes the hunger to stay on top of the pack is still there heading into their 2020-21 campaign.
“The guys are getting to training early and doing the little things right. That’s there. You wouldn’t be doing this unless you’re hungry and you love the game,” he said.
“When you have that purpose you’ll try to do your best every time.”
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Nightcliff has also bolstered its squad with a stack of impressive signings from down south.
Jeremy Burton (St Kevin’s from the Victorian Amateur Football Association), Dylan Hanley (Eaglehawk in the Bendigo Football League), Bailey Henderson (Richmond in the VFL), Daniel Mott (Williamstown in the VFL), Mack Rivett (Port Melbourne in the VFL) and Will Wallace (Strathfieldsaye) are among the club’s key signings.
This was on the back of two big acquisitions the NT News revealed – Dom Brew and Tom Boyd – both from Werribee in the VFL.
Boyd – a tall 192cm forward who has represented Greater Western Sydney in the NEAFL and Werribee in the VFL – was recruited to Tigerland through coach Chris Baksh, who played in Victoria with his father Brian.
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And he has high aims for his first season of Territory football.
“I want to play the best football I can, and I want to try and dominate,” he said.
“I can play as a third tall up front, or I can go down back and try to chop off a few balls.”
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