South Darwin eyes brighter future after disappointing results in recent seasons

BLOWOUT scores and forfeits haven’t helped South Darwin’s cause in the 2020 NRL NT A-grade premiership, however vice president Shane Nichols feels there is a brighter future for the club

South Darwin are looking for NRL NT redemption in coming years. Picture: GLENN CAMPBELL

BLOWOUT scores and forfeits haven’t helped South Darwin’s cause in the 2020 NRL NT A-grade premiership, however vice president Shane Nichols feels there is a brighter future for the club.

.

The Rabbitohs have struggled competitively for the past few seasons unable to pick up a point in 2019, a trend which has continued into 2020.

Lacking playing numbers in the senior ranks has seen the side struggle against the other NRL NT sides and injuries forced the side to forfeit their Round 6 tie against Litchfield.

MORE NT SPORT STORIES

Sistaz march on after pounding Palmerston

Raiders captalise on early points to overcome Brothers

South Darwin forfeits A-grade match against Bears

NRL NT top five players after five rounds

Originally the side had applied to exit A-grade for the season with its senior side playing exclusively in the reserve grade for 2020 with a rebuild in mind though that was not disallowed.

“The lack of playing numbers of A-grade standard has hurt us this season though we are working through it,” Nichols told the NT News.

“We applied to exit A-grade for the year but that wasn’t allowed so we’re just fighting through this year as best as we can.

“But we’ve just picked up around 12 guys from the army which has been a positive boost and we hope they stick around with us.

“Obviously we want to improve though. It’s good to have Warren Park but sharing with union and touch football can make scheduling a little difficult.

“Playing B-grade this year would have helped us as we lost a few due to COVID but we have a good bunch of guys and hopefully we can build towards a brighter future.

“More than anything we just need the support. Having our supporters down to watch us each week will do a lot for our side.”

The NRL NT has also stepped in to aid the club where it can with pathways manager Duncan McGillivray providing advice to enhance the player experience at the club.

The club will also benefit from a player pool initiative structured to pull players from other clubs on a loan basis to bolster the struggling side’s numbers.

NRL NT general manager Nigel Roy said the organisation was working closely with the club to ensure the Rabbitohs could field a side each week.

“From an NRL NT perspective the obvious concern is the playing strength in their senior playing group,” Roy said.

“We’ve implemented a player pool system this year to reaching out to see if other clubs would loan out their players. Our pathways manager is also working with the club as he does all clubs.

“The NRL NT has a firm belief that if a club wishes to enter into senior men’s they need to be playing in the senior competition.

“We will look to ensure they can put a team together this season. I would like to thank the small group of volunteers they have.

“The club has a strong senior women’s group and their league hopes will be bolstered by their upcoming juniors and their great venue.”

LIMITED TIME: Discounted NT News subscription offer: $1 a week for the first 12 weeks

South Darwin has assured the NRL NT that they will be playing in today’s encounter against Nightcliff - the Chico Motlop Shield which is an important round for both sides.

The Rugby League Stadium matchup will also be televised that will go further to promoting the side.