The top junior scoring talent from the DHL in season 2024
As six of the Territory’s best up and comers have been recognised on the national stage we’ve taken a look at the most promising young guns from the 2024 Darwin Hockey season. Check them out.
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The Territory has always had a strong history in hockey often contributing players to the national side, and that legacy looks likely to continue with a strong group of juniors coming through.
Among the stars of the future are Tobias Jenner, Amy Stripling and Macenzee Dixon, who earned their spots in the National Futures group after the under-18s National Championships.
The group comprises talented athletes from every state and Territory, with the ensemble expected to peak in time for the 2032 Brisbane Olympics.
A further three Territorians, Tiana Crompton, Joe Laur and Sophie Ara, have been placed on the under-18s watch list, which means they’ve been identified as players to watch in the future.
Hockey NT technical director Michelle Caden expressed her pride for the achievement and said it was a strong reflection of the hard work done in the Territory.
“To have six NT athletes recognised and acknowledged for their exceptional work ethic, commitment, and performances is a reflection of the work done over the past two years,” Caden said.
“Our kids continue to chase their potential, get the work done when no one’s watching, and compete in every contest on the National stage.
“This is despite the many challenges and points of difference faced, they know what matters, and we couldn’t be more proud of them.”
The recognition of these under-18 athletes is a testament to the dedication and hard work of both the athletes and Hockey NT’s high-performance coaches in recent years
This achievement is extremely positive and exciting for Hockey in the Territory, proving there are players of national calibre.
Beyond these leading lights who have all impressed at the top of NT hockey as well as age grades, there’s plenty of talented juniors coming through the ranks.
The NT News has identified some of the most promising young guns from the 2024 TPL season, and have listed them and their achievements this season below.
Top Talent
UNDER-13 GIRLS
Isla Ryan-Smith (Banks)
Teams: U13 Blue, Black and U16 Geckos
Matches: 18
Goals: 30
Best figures: Three x 3 goal games, Two x 4 goal games, and One x 7 goal game
Adair Dixon (Commerce Pints)
Teams: U13, U16 Crocs and Women’s C-grade
Matches: 21
Goals: 27
Best figures: Two x 3 goals games, Four x 4 goal games
Leni Stephensen (Commerce Pints)
Teams: U13, U16 Crocs
Matches: 20
Goals: 20
Best figures: Three x 3 goal games, One x 4 goal game
Bella Andrews (Banks)
Teams: U13 Blue, U16 Crocs and Women’s C-grade
Matches: 31
Goals: 20
Best figures: Two x 3 goal games, One x 4 goal game
Leyla McLaughlin (Waratah)
Teams: U13 White, Women’s C-grade
Matches: 19
Goals: 13
Best figures: Two x 3 goal games
UNDER-13 BOYS
Rufus Abayasekara (Waratah)
Teams: U13 White, Red and U16 Geckos
Matches: 13
Goals: 37
Best figures: One x 3 goal game, Two x 4 goal games, Two x 8 goal games
Clancy Needham (Waratah)
Teams: U13 Red, U16 Geckos, Men’s B-grade
Matches: 24
Goals: 19
Best figures: Two x 3 goal games, One x 4 goal game
Liam Fookes (Palmerston Saints)
Teams: U13, U16 Barras, Men’s B-grade
Matches: 23
Goals: 19
Best figures: One x 4 goal game
Edward Peterson (Commerce Pints)
Teams: U13, U16 Barras
Matches: 21
Goals: 12
Best figures: One x 3 goal game, One x 4 goal game
Kingston Casimiro (Commerce Pints)
Teams: U13, U16 Geckos, Hawks
Matches: 15
Goals: 11
Best figures: One x 4 goal game
UNDER-16 GIRLS
Alicia David (Nightcliff Tigers)
Teams: U16 Geckos, Women’s B-grade
Matches: 27
Goals: 25
Best figures: One x 3 goal game, Two x 4 goal games
Madeline MacDonald (East Darwin)
Teams: U16 Geckos, Women’s TPL
Matches: 21
Goals: 16
Best figures: Five x 2 goal games
Niesha Casimiro (Commerce Pints)
Teams: U16 Barras, Women’s TPL/B-grade
Matches: 17
Goals: 15
Best figures: Two x 3 goal games
Peyton Clay (Palmerston Saints)
Teams: U16 Crocs, Women’s TPL
Matches: 19
Goals: 5
Best figures: One x 3 goal game
Molly Maley (Nightcliff Tigers)
Teams: U16 Geckos, Women’s TPL/B-grade
Matches: 27
Goals: 5
Best figures: One x 2 goal game
UNDER-16 BOYS
Baden Dixon (Commerce Pints)
Teams: U16 Geckos, Men’s TPL/B-grade
Matches: 26
Goals: 26
Best figures: Three x 3 goal games, One x 5 goal game
Charlie Beath (Nightcliff Tigers)
Teams: U16 Hawks, Men’s TPL/B-grade
Matches: 21
Goals: 27
Best figures: One x 4 goal game, One x 6 goal game
Noah Lenoir (Nightcliff Tigers)
Teams: U16 Crocs, Men’s TPL/B-grade
Matches: 24
Goals: 27
Best figures: Two x 3 goal games, Two x 5 goal games
Luka Best (Commerce Pints)
Teams: U16 Barras, Men’s TPL/B-grade
Matches: 18
Goals: 16
Best figures: Three x 2 goal games, One x 5 goal game
Luca Davey (Waratah)
Teams: U16 Barras, Men’s TPL
Matches: 18
Goals: 9
Best figures: One x 4 goal game
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