No Stafford, Williams or Sambono but the Buffaloes confident of a successful 20-21 season

Multi-skilled forward Adam Sambono’s move from the Tiwi Bombers to the Buffaloes has not surprised his old club

Adam Sambono in his Buffalo days. The goalkicking ace is headed for the Tiwi Bombers. Picture: Glenn Campbell

ADAM Sambono’s departure from the Darwin Buffaloes to join the Tiwi Bombers was not totally unexpected, Darwin president Shaun Pearce said last night.

Once touted as a top draft pick, Sambono has cited family reasons for his move to the Bombers under joint coaches Shane Tipuamantimirri and Jamie Scrymgour.

His 12 goals against the Tiwis in the opening round of last season looked to have cemented his reputation as a young player on the rise.

But Sambono’s decision to play for Daly River in that weekend’s community competition backfired when he hurt his left knee, ruling him out for most of last season.

Pearce said Sambono’s departure and that of key position players Daniel Stafford and Chris Williams had already been partly compensated by the addition of players from SANFL club Sturt and Victoria’s TAC Cup competition.

Quarantine rules surrounding the dangerous COVID-19 pandemic mean the Buffaloes are still going through the process of signing those players.

First year coach Cameron Stokes has been putting the players through their paces at Wulagi Oval on Monday, Wednesday and Friday nights.

Pearce said Matt Campbell’s decision to stand down from coaching and concentrate on playing had proved to be a masterstroke.

“Matty’s been training the house down with a lot of others and Tom Clarke’s pre-season alongside (Nightcliff premiership captain) Phillip Wills and his rugby league captaincy duties at Brothers has produced a more streamlined Tom,’’ Pearce added.

Michael Hagan has signed with the Buffaloes after two seasons at Nightcliff, though his season will not start until Round 6 because of a five-match suspension he must serve from the grand final.

Utilities Billy Hogan and Stephen Tahana, Dylan Gordon from VFL clubs Casey Scorpions and Frankston Dolphins, key defender Ryan Pendlebury and ruckman Will Clarke have all indicated they will be wearing the double blue jumper again this season.

Meanwhile, clever utility Harry Williams has joined last season’s grand finalists St Mary’s from Nightcliff.

Best and fairest Tom Davies, big marking forward Jackson Paine and utility Tom Gilbert have all indicated their desire to return to Darwin.