The NT News reveals the Men’s Premier League team of the year interchange of the NTFL 2021-22 season
The NT News has chosen its best Men’s Premier League side from players who starred in the 2021-22 season. Find out who made the cut here.
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DESPITE a couple of Covid scares, the 2021-22 NTFL season was another tremendous spectacle of Top End footy.
Fierce rivalries, surprise winners and massive individual performances defined a season that truly had it all.
From all of that we have assembled a group of players more than deserving of their spots in the Team of the Year.
No matter how well their side went, these were the players that turned up every week and showed off the best of Territory footy.
Certain players will feel unlucky not to get in, but that speaks more to the quality of the season.
The players chosen must have played at least 10 games throughout the season, including finals.
INTERCHANGE
DYLAN COLLIS (WARATAH)
The Victorian made a neat switch to defence to be one of Waratah’s most prolific down back this season.
The former Casey Demon simply got a shedload of the pill in 2021-22, with 68 more touches than his nearest teammate during the season, while landing in the club’s top three for tackles, intercept marks, marks, inside and rebound 50s.
More than held his own in a losing cause too in the grand final, with 21 touches and five rebounds from defensive 50.
MARCUS TOTHAM (WANDERERS)
In a passable year for the Eagles, Totham was anything but in 14 games this season.
The speedy midfielder was particularly dynamic, leading the club for disposals and score assists, second for inside 50s and third for clearances, while slotting seven goals.
Three of those majors came during finals time too, as he collected a team-high 23 touches in a 64-point semi-final loss to St Marys.
JARROD STOKES (DARWIN BUFFALOES)
Stiff to be starting on the pine but that’s more a comment on the strength of the squad than Stokes’ output this season.
Because if the Buffaloes scored in 2021-22, it’s a fair guess the Buffs captain had something to do with it, with 10 goals and 19 scoring assists, the best for his club.
In a season where wins were hard to come from – they registered only four – Stokes led from the front and it showed on the stats sheet: he was the Buffs’ best for disposals and inside 50s, second in clearances.
JACK KLUSKE (ST MARY’S)
Made his presence known in the finals series with a heavy amount of possessions and plenty of exciting goals. Adding another cog to the Green Machine’s already potent midfield, the Glenelg man’s booming kicks gave his forwards plenty to work with. Collected 203 disposals and 42 inside 50s, while nine of his 17 goals came during the finals.
BEAU O’CONNELL (WANDERERS)
One of the league’s clear standouts pre-Christmas and another who was dearly missed by the Muk Muks in the back half of the season. The 2019-20 Nichols Medallist was at his best in the opening rounds, catching the eye with his pace and ability to kick with both feet. The only player to exceed 40 possessions in a single game, a best on ground performance in round 11. Would have been a genuine contender for his second Nichols had he played the whole season.
ROBBIE TURNBULL (WARATAH)
Fresh off a premiership in the Cairns league with the Cairns City Lions, Turnbull was primed to notch another flag to his growing collection. By the end of the season Turnbull had come into his own. His thumping kick added a point of difference in the Waratah midfield, contributing 28 scoring assists, 298 disposals and 75 inside 50s.
FORWARD LINE
HALF FORWARD – NICK YARRAN (ST MARY’S)
Voted the joint NT News Player the Year following an impressive season for the Green Machine, Yarran showed off his enviable pace in many an attacking move and backed that up with hardness on and off the ball.
Placing second in the leagues tackle count (72), Yarran showed that his time with Darwin Brothers in recent years has upped his defensive game.
Also placed second in his side’s goal scoring (20), proving himself a weapon both in offence and defence.
CENTRE HALF FORWARD – JONATHON ROSS (SOUTHERN DISTRICTS)
An important scoring option for the Crocs throughout the year, and a player that stood up in the big games, Ross could turn a match with his speed and hunger to score.
Crucial in Districts’ push for finals football, he placed joint third in goals scored (38) from his 16 games and registered 26 scoring assists.
HALF FORWARD – SHAUN WILSON (NIGHTCLIFF)
It was another standout year for the ever-skilful Wilson.
A player who can kick deep, run hard and has an engine that keeps him in the action all day long, Wilson was able to step up into any role his team needed and pounced on opposition errors.
Topped the league in scoring assists (32), was in the top ten for disposals (340), placed third for marks (89) and scored a handy amount of goals (26).
FORWARD POCKET – ED SIMPSON (WANDERERS)
The Eagles forward was a big loss when he returned to native Perth, slotting 38 goals from nine games until that point.
Wanderers coach Aaron Motlop was still trying to get his man to return to the NT for the first semi-final against St Mary’s just days prior to the clash.
A crucial man up forward for the Muk Muks who provided a reliable option for his midfielders to kick to.
FULL FORWARD — JACKSON CALDER (ST MARY’S)
Unlike the AFL, the big men still regularly do the business in front of goals in NT footy, with Calder stepping up when it counted in the grand final, slotting five majors in a matchwinning performance against Waratah.
With 71 for the year including finals – 31 goals clear of his nearest rival in Jayden Magro – you could argue the Green Machine may not have won its 33rd flag without him.
FORWARD POCKET — JAYDEN MAGRO (WARATAH)
The Tahs livewire needs little introduction; a man who was a key reason why his team made the grand final for the first time since 2008, and was a red-hot chance to break a 22-year premiership drought.
Considering he led the club for goals and inside 50s, and second in tackles, the 25-year-old would have been disappointed with a five-possession, one-goal game in the grand final.
Has committed to a Top End return after a stint at Tasmanian State League club Lauderdale this winter.
CENTRE LINE
WING – DYLAN LANDT (ST MARY’S)
Perhaps the most versatile player in the comp. Can play down back, is sensational in the middle and can move up forward to boot a goal or two. The 2020-21 Player of the Year was a standout once again, even though he didn’t play in as many games as his NTFL debut season. From just 10 games he managed 239 disposals, 76 inside 50s (fourth in the league) and 53 clearances. Will now be eagerly waiting some kind of call-up from the biggest league of all after being named as an Essendon Covid top up.
CENTRE – NATE PAREDES (ST MARY’S)
It has been nothing short of a sensational season for the first year St Mary’s captain. Paredes has been a standout performer on the field inspiring his side to an NTFL flag. Dominated possessions and led the league in disposals (426), clearances (108) and inside 50s (110). Also placed third in tackles (61). Saints will be looking for him to lead once again next year and there’s no reason why he shouldn’t.
WING – BRODIE FILO (NIGHTCLIFF TIGERS)
It wasn’t the lofty heights of a Nichols Medal winning premiership season for the Tiger. But still Filo stood out and showed his class in a Nightcliff side that showed more vulnerabilities than in recent years. The Dual Nichols Medallist runs hard, kicks long and is able to transition play into attack from anywhere on the field. Topped the regular season for disposals (357) and was still second at the close of finals (391). Will be out for revenge in 2022-23.
FOLLOWERS
RUCK - BEN ARCHARD (DARWIN BUFFALOES)
The big Victorian was no surprise to take out Darwin Buffaloes’ best and fairest, easily accounting for the most individual hit outs in the league (561), well clear of his nearest rival in Patrick Gallow (312). Had such a dominant season he was snapped up by Essendon, both as a Covid top up and VFL player. Also led the Buffs in clearances, second in disposals and third in marks.
RUCK ROVER – BRODIE CARROLL (WARATAH)
Despite being relatively quiet in the grand final last Saturday, Carroll was a standout for Waratah this season. The Tahs co-captain was the league’s top tackler, ran second in disposals and clearances for the club, while kicking 18 goals during the home and away fixtures, adding another string to his bow. Peel Thunder will be pleased to have him on board for the WAFL season.
ROVER – ERIC GUTHRIE (PALMERSTON)
After finishing second in the Magpie’s best and fairest count last season, the boy from Harrow-Balmoral FC stepped up a level or two in 2021-22, taking home the coveted Nichols Medal, while collecting the most disposals, marks, tackles, inside 50s and clearances for the club. One of the first picked in anybody’s team of the year.
BACK LINE
BACK POCKET – RYAN NYHUIS (NIGHTCLIFF TIGERS)
The former Fremantle Docker has been among the Tigers’ best once again this season. The tall, reliable dominated in a year where Nightcliff didn’t have the same stranglehold as years gone by. Intercepted when his opposition made moves forward and set up his side when they needed to go on attack. 55 rebound 50s and 173 disposals has him among the season’s best defenders.
FULL BACK – DANIEL O’DWYER (WARATAH)
The Waratah defence has in many ways been the unsung heroes of their side and O’Dwyer has been a large part of that. Over 18 games he has racked up 172 disposals and managed 68 rebound 50s (fifth in the league). Stats are one thing, however, his impact on the opposition is another. The league’s leading goal scorer Jackson Calder named O’Dwyer his toughest opponent after the defender had his number on more than one occasion.
BACK POCKET – DANIEL BOWLES (NIGHTCLIFF TIGERS)
One half of the 2021-22 Nichols Medal winning duo. The Tiger defender had a massive year in the yellow and black, regularly showing off his massive left foot kick. From 16 games he picked up 369 disposals (fifth in the league), 36 intercept marks (second in the league) and 107 rebound 50s (second in the league). Can play further up the ground if needed and can do the job in the ruck if required.
HALF BACK – MICHAEL BOWDEN (SOUTHERN DISTRICTS)
Bowden has had a massive season for the Crocs. An ever-present in their backline and industrious on the disposals. Picked up 135 rebound 50s (most in the league) and 373 disposals (third in the league, including finals) from 16 games. Nabbed two goals as well through the season showing versatility. A worthy winner of his club’s best and fairest.
CENTRE HALF-BACK – BRODIE NEWMAN (WANDERERS)
The intercept mark king has retained his spot from the 2020-21 list. Once again a standout in the Muk Muks’ impressive backline, Neman has an unrivalled ability to beat his opposition in a marking contest. Has 102 marks to his name, 52 being intercepts, (most in the league) and 69 rebound 50s (fourth in the league). Wanderers will be hoping for another return next season.
HALF BACK – LLOYD JOHNSTON (WANDERERS)
The 2021-22 Rising Star is a product of the Eagles’ junior program who has become known for his sweeping runs, turning defence into attack and his impressive marking ability. He slipped seamlessly into the Wanderers’ defensive unit in his first season of prems and looks to be a long time fixture there, if not drafted for higher honours. Is one to watch for the future for sure.
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