Star Wanderers midfielder Shaun Mannagh says Muk Muks will lift for banned captain Braedon McLean in NTFL preliminary final

STAR Wanderers midfielder Shaun Mannagh is adamant his teammates will play to their potential for inspirational suspended captain Braedon McLean in the NTFL preliminary final against St Mary’s at TIO Stadium on Saturday night.

Star Wanderers midfielder Shaun Mannagh believes his team will be brought closer together after inspirational skipper Braedon McLean’s three-game suspension was upheld. Picture: Glenn Campbell

STAR Wanderers midfielder Shaun Mannagh is adamant his teammates will play to their potential for inspirational suspended captain Braedon McLean in the NTFL preliminary final against St Mary’s at TIO Stadium on Saturday night.

The Muk Muks were never in the hunt without their brilliant half-back in their major semi-final against two-time reigning premiers Nightcliff last Saturday night, losing by 75 points.

Wanderers’ appeal against McLean’s three-match suspension for rough conduct for a misjudged bump on St Mary’s star Shaun Edwards from the third quarter of the Eagles’ qualifying final victory was dismissed by an independent appeals tribunal on Tuesday night.

Wanderers’ bid to make their first NTFL grand final since 2017 was dealt a blow when their captain Braedon McLean had his appeal hearing dismissed

St Mary’s young gun Braxton Ah Mat’s season is over after hit with three-game suspension for striking against Waratah in NTFL semi-final

NTFL 2020-21: Nightcliff Tigers’ Brodie Filo dominates finals week two stats

Three junior Wanderers players and a parent banned from AFLNT venues, events for up to five years

That means the club now has to accept the devastating news that its skipper’s season is over. But fellow superstar Mannagh believes the news will only galvanise his teammates for the return clash against the Green Machine on Saturday night.

The winner will advance to the grand final to take on the Tigers.

“One hundred per cent (it will bring us closer together),” Mannagh told the NT News.

“It’s taken a bit of a toll on the club, but I haven’t seen the full brunt of it because I’ve also been in Melbourne.

“And once we take the field this weekend, none of that matters – our job is to play two hours of good footy, as it always is.

“We’re one of the closest teams in the competition. It’s like a brotherhood here.

“I played the first four games of the season and then came back (for Wanderers’ draw with Nightcliff in Round 10) and it was like I never left.

“I’ve been staying with the Motlops and the club has been so good to me.

“I’ll be back next season.”

Wanderers recruit Shaun Mannagh has been outstanding for the Muk Muks in the 2020-21 NTFL competition, and says he’ll be back next season which is great news for Eagles fans. Picture: Celina Whan/AFLNT Media

Mannagh said the already-strong Wanderers v Saints rivalry will go to another level on Saturday night, particularly with a grand final spot on the line.

“One hundred per cent it will. We’re without our captain and Shaun Edwards got injured for them last time we played them,” Mannagh said.

“We already enjoy a strong rivalry – our clubrooms are right next to each other which will make things interesting.

“Hopefully we’re the ones who can finish up on top.”

Mannagh – a standout for Werribee in the VFL who has finished in his team’s best six times from just 11 games this season – said Nightcliff was simply more focused last Saturday.

“They did their homework and prepared for the game better than us,” he said.

“We didn’t have 22 contributors and they did.”