Star Wanderers fly-in utility Neil Vea Vea still yet to play, but Muk Muks coach Shannon Motlop impressed with star juniors, led by Beau O’Connell and Ronald Fejo

THEIR gun fly-in utility Neil Vea Vea is still yet to play a game this season, and he’ll be frustrated to miss out against Waratah today because of expensive flights. But Wanderers have been flying in first spot without some big names.And that is because their star local juniors – led by Beau O’Connell and Ronald Fejo – have been so impressive.

Wanderers star Thomas Motlop started this season in Division 1, outlining the depth at his club in 2020-21. Picture: Glenn Campbell

THEIR gun utility Neil Vea Vea is still yet to play a game this season, but the Eagles are flying.

And the Glenelg and former NT Thunder star will miss today’s Round 9 clash against Waratah with flights being too expensive due to the ongoing COVID-19 crisis, Vea Vea based in Adelaide as a fly-in.

His height and physicality would have come in handy for the first-placed Wanderers against a resurgent Warriors outfit at Gardens Oval tonight.

That is because Zach Westerberg has impressed in the ruck for the red-and-whites, who are in fifth position with a 4-4 record after a strong 23-point victory over Darwin Buffaloes last Saturday night.

Wanderers star utility Neil Vea Vea has had to wait another week to play his first game of the 2020-21 NTFL season because of expensive flights from Adelaide. Picture: Keri Megelus

But the Muk Muks’ local junior brigade – led by Beau O’Connell and Ronald Fejo – have played major roles in putting their team at the top of the NTFL ladder with a 7-1 record.

“Neil is back in full training (after breaking his ribs in the SANFL) and he’s fit, but flights are expensive at the moment,” Wanderers coach Shannon Motlop said.

“He would be handy for us, but we feel like we’ve filled all our spots this week.

“Our depth right now is strong – we’ve had Thomas Motlop playing Division 1.

“The boys set high standards early this season.”

Those high standards have not dropped after Wanderers started their gruelling pre-season earlier than any other Premier League team.

And that hard work has paid dividends.

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“They’ve been training extremely hard and haven’t really eased off after their pre-season,” Motlop said.

“They were a bit mentally worn out so we mixed things up this week and went down to the wave pool (at the Darwin Waterfront).

“We played a bit of gridiron and had 40 blokes down there.”

Star midfielder Abe Ankers is back for Waratah in the blockbuster 6.30pm clash at Gardens Oval.

Motlop said his team expects to be challenged by every opposing side for the rest of the season now that – suddenly – Wanderers have become the hunted after finishing second-last in their 2019-20 campaign.

“Every club will come at us now we’re at the top,” Motlop said.

“So every game our challenge is to prepare the best way we can.

“Last year we won 2 ½ games (from the first four rounds) before we lost some midfielders to injury, and we didn’t have a ruckman.

“This year we’re just keeping things nice and simple.”