Wanderers’ Braedon McLean and Darwin Buffaloes’ Jarrod Stokes impressed with their local juniors heading into NTFL Nungalinya Cup

ARE Wanderers and Buffaloes ready to reach the heights they scaled four and three seasons ago, respectively? There is no doubting both teams are on a trajectory to play in another NTFL grand final this season.That is why Saturday night’s Nungalinya Cup top-of-the-table clash at TIO Stadium should be so intriguing.

Wanderers captain Braedon McLean and Buffaloes skipper Jarrod Stokes with the Nungalinya Cup ahead of the Round 7 clash at TIO Stadium on Saturday night. Picture: AFLNT Media

ARE Wanderers and Buffaloes ready to reach the heights they scaled four and three seasons ago, respectively?

There is no doubting both teams are on a trajectory to play in another NTFL grand final this season.

That is why Saturday night’s Round 7 top-of-the-table clash between the two Darwin clubs at TIO Stadium should be so intriguing.

Throw in the fact they are playing for the Nungalinya Cup during NAIDOC Week, and the importance of this clash goes up a few notches.

Wanderers fans, in particular, will be desperate for bragging rights after a mainly lean period of almost four years since last playing in a competition decider.

These are sentiments echoed by Muk Muks captain Braedon McLean.

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“I’m definitely looking forward to this game. It’s our biggest game of the year so far,” he told the NT News.

“As a club we’re in a much different position to where we were last year with this being a 1 v 2 clash.”

You cannot go past the similarities in both teams going into this game, which is sure to draw a big crowd.

“We’re always keen to take on Buffs – like us they have a lot of local families involved, and they develop their local players well,” McLean said.

“We’ve got some great coaches of our junior teams, and Simon Bates did a great job with our under-18s.”

There is no shortage of young gun local juniors set to light up Territory football headquarters on Saturday night.

Buffs captain Jarrod Stokes named his young brother Aaron Stokes and Isaac Seden-Kurnoth as double-blue superstars of the future, who have already turned heads this season.

But many would agree Wanderers midfielder Beau O’Connell could easily steal the show.

The 19-year-old told the NT News this week that – after training in the Adelaide Crows system – he had harboured a realistic aim of playing for the team at AFL level next year.

And both McLean and Stokes were glowing in their praise of the 2019-20 Nichols Medal winner, who kicked four goals in his team’s 32-point win over Tiwi last week, including a brilliant effort on the run from 50m out.

Wanderers on-baller Beau O’Connell told the NT News this week that he harboured realistic ambitions to play in the AFL next year. Picture: Tymunna Clements, AFLNT Media

“Hands down, Beau is the most competitive player I’ve seen up here since (now-Kangaroos star) Jed Anderson,” McLean said.

“He can definitely play in the AFL and his workrate is next-level.

“The Crows want him in their system, whether that’s in their squad or in their SANFL team. “He’s also had a lot of interest outside the Crows, but they’re super keen to get him.”

Stokes matched that praise.

“Beau is one of the best juniors I’ve seen up here,” he said.

“He’s so mature for his age and AFL clubs would be silly to not try and pick him up.

“He can play anywhere on the field – he’s so versatile.

“(And) Isaac can play forward, midfield or in the backline.

“Also my younger brother Aaron is getting his confidence up.

“He’s more of an outside player and is tall – he’s over six feet and is always improving.

“Both us and the Muk Muks are very similar at the moment – we’ve both got a lot of very good juniors coming through.”

Wanderers’ Ronald Fejo Jr – like teammate Beau O’Connell – has a bright future. Picture: Felicity Elliott/AFLNT Media

There were plenty of observers who thought Darwin’s 39-point win over St Mary’s last Saturday night had finals quality stamped all over it.

Stokes agrees.

“It was one of our best games over the past 10 years. With the forward entries we beat them by 20,” he said.

Plenty of eyes will be watching O’Connell, but McLean said don’t forget another Eagles star. “Ronnie Fejo for us is also capable of playing in the AFL,” he said.