Nightcliff Tigers young gun Andy Moniz-Wakefield brings physicality from NRL NT’s Darwin Brothers

GUN Nightcliff utility Andy Moniz-Wakefield might only be in his first season of Premier League football, but he’s already overcome his fair share of setbacks.

Nightcliff young gun Andy Moniz-Wakefield has been highly impressive in his rookie Premier League season. Picture: Aaron Black/AFLNT Media

GUN Nightcliff utility Andy Moniz-Wakefield might only be in his first season of Premier League football, but he’s already overcome his fair share of setbacks.

He has starred for the yellow-and-blacks in their 2020-21 campaign, finishing in his team’s best five times from eight appearances.

Ask any veteran player or coach at Tigerland and he would’ve made his top-grade debut last season, before the beachside club went on to claim back-to-back Territory titles.

First-gamer Moniz-Wakefield grabs a Rising Star nomination in his first trip the big stage

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But it has been well worth the wait unearthing the star 17-year-old, who is also a backline utility on the rise at NRL NT club Darwin Brothers.

“I did my knee playing for Brothers in under-16s in 2019 and then I missed the (2019-20) footy season,” Moniz-Wakefield told the NT News.

“It was so tough just sitting back and watching all my mates out there.

“It’s been great at Nightcliff this season. The older boys are really good at helping out us younger players, and we look up to them.”

It is this team-first attitude which has Tigers playing-assistant coach Cameron Ilett believing Moniz-Wakefield is destined for a lengthy career in the NTFL.

“Andy is a ripping young kid,” Ilett said.

“I coached him and (last week’s Premier League debutant) Jamie Jones in the All Nations squad in Sydney a few years ago, and their talent and ability is exceptional.

“The beauty of Darwin is a lot of people play different sports, and Andy has brought a strong tackling ability and physicality over to us from rugby league.”

Tigers captain Phil Wills said Moniz-Wakefield was not far off being the complete package for someone so young.

“He’s so composed, isn’t afraid to go back with the flight of the ball and trains so hard,” Wills said.

Christos Gikas is another one – like Moniz-Wakefield and Jones – who has made a good impression at the star-studded Tigers.

“It’s a credit to the Nightcliff junior program with so many good young kids coming through,” Wills said.

Wills said Saturday’s opponents Southern Districts – at Norbuilt Oval – were always tough to play despite the Crocs now being out of finals contention.

“They’re a great club and we won’t underestimate them,” he said.