The NT News chooses the Best 25 NTFL Men’s Premier League players. Revealed: Numbers 5-1

A VFL Essendon star, a regular ballgetter and a former Geelong VFL captain are among the players to make the top five. SEE WHO MADE IT HERE

Buff's skipper Jarrod Stokes has been a force when on the run. Picture: Glenn Campbell

IT has been an NTFL season like no other, uplifted rather than downgraded by the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Southern recruits by the planeload have made their way to the Top End of Australia to get the feel of a football again and the eight Premier League clubs have had some enormous benefits as a result.

The NT News sat down this week to name their Top 25 men’s Premier League players from 11 rounds of the 20-21 season, a task made more difficult by the wave of superb players drawn to the Darwin based competition.

Strength in the clinches, leg speed to burn, poise and discipline in defence and powerful marking are all assets of the Top 25.

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5. DANE McFARLANE (WANDERERS)

Wanderers' Dane McFarlane has made a spectacular entrance to the NTFL competition. Picture: Felicity Elliott/NTFL Media

The Werribee VFL recruit landed at the Eagles through his relationship with Steven Motlop when both players wore the blue and white hoops of Geelong.

A big possession gatherer, McFarlane has played every game for his new club in a spectacular debut in the heat of Darwin.

Named in his side’s best players in eight of his 11 games, McFarlane’s aerobic capacity, hard running and clean disposal by hand or foot make him a vital part of this season’s Wanderers side.

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4. ROBERT TURNBULL (WARATAH)

Tahs' Rob Turnbull has been a massive pick up for the Gardens Oval side. Picture: Celina Whan AFLNT/Media

There’s no doubting that Waratah are looking finals bound this season and a big part of that is down to Turnbull’s workrate.

Consistently in the side’s best Turnbull’s run around the ball has set his side up with plenty of go forward.

Another big body in the Tahs midfield presents an extra challenge for any side looking to wrestle control of the ball.

3. JARROD STOKES (DARWIN BUFFALOES)

Jarrod Stokes has been at his brilliant best over this NTFL campaign.

The Buffalo captain’s tremendous leg speed and ability to find the football inside a contest or running on the outside has made him an important cog in the side.

Stokes’ big appetite for goals has already landed him 13 majors this season in a link-up capacity or as the result of a long run out of the middle when opposition defenders have been made to look ordinary when they chase the No. 6 jumper.

2. DYLAN LANDT (ST MARY’S)

St Mary's defender Dylan Landt has been in outstanding form. Picture: Felicity Elliott AFLNT Media

The 21-year-old former VFL Essendon star has been in outstanding form since linking up with Saints and the Green Machine will have been more than happy to have him.

Landt has played a massive role in the uptick in form Saints have experienced in the mid-season with his read of play, creative handballing and immense leg speed.

Frequently in the side’s best the talented defender has taken to the pacy game played in the NTFL and will be an essential tool in a potential finals run for his side.

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1. JAMES TSITAS (SOUTHERN DISTRICTS)

Southern Districts' James Tsitas has excelled at his new club. Picture: Aaron Black/AFLNT Media.

The former Geelong VFL captain has excelled at his new club since severing ties with premiers Nightcliff at the end of last season.

A midfielder with an uncanny ability to find the football, Tsitas can deliver it to teammates with precision and come back for more when the sherrin comes back to the middle to restart the game.

Named in Districts’ best side on five of his eight appearances in a Crocodile jumper, Tsitas has kicked eight goals and set-up twice as many.