The NT News reveals the back line of its import side of the NTFL 2020-21 season

THE NT News has chosen its best NTFL imports side from interstaters playing the game here this year. Today we select our back line. Find out WHO MAKES OUR BEST SIDE here

Brodie Newman has been a revelation for Wanderers in the key role of centre half-back. Picture: Felicity Elliott AFLNT/Media

TERRITORY football has been enriched by several interstate recruits this season, all of them anxious to get a football in their hands after the COVID-19 pandemic wiped out every major competition in the southern states bar the AFL, SANFL and WAFL.

The rich harvest of footballers who arrived on our doorstep from Victoria and South Australia has added an extra element of class and intrigue to the northern game by lifting the skill and intensity level and overall standard.

NT News football writers Grey Morris and Nathaniel Chambers got together this week to select a team of imports they are convinced will more than match a ‘Locals’ side.

Is it time to revive the Locals v Imports game from the early 1980s?

Given the amount of interstate talent in Darwin at the moment as a result of the pandemic and abundance of homegrown talent, we would suggest the time is right now.

NTFL’s best interstate players of 2020: Imports forward line

BACK POCKET - DYLAN LANDT (St Mary’s, 20)

St Mary's defender Dylan Landt has been a big pick up for St Mary’s. Picture: Felicity Elliott AFLNT Media

From Sunbury north of Melbourne where he played at an elite level as a youngster with TAC Cup side Calder Cannons before signing with Essendon’s VFL side. Can read the play, take contested and uncontested marks and break down an opposition side with creative handball and exceptional leg speed.

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FULL BACK - MASON DEWIT (TIWI BOMBERS, 22)

Tiwi Bomber Mason DeWit has been pivotal in defence. Picture: Celina Whan/NTFL Media

Originally from Mt Eliza near Melbourne where he played with the Frankston Stingrays before signing with Hawthorn’s reserves side Box Hill Hawks. The consumate defender who gives his opponent no room to move and has the hand and foot skills to set up teammates further down the ground.

BACK POCKET - RYAN PENDLEBURY (DARWIN BUFFALOES, 28)

Ryan Pendlebury has been a key figure in the Buffaloes' defence. Picture: Celina Whan

The brother of Collingwood captain Scott Pendlebury, Ryan hails from the greast city of Sale in Victoria’s East Gippsland region. Has played with VFL clubs Collingwood and Port Melbourne where his strong marking and clean disposal with hand and foot make him a standout in the back half.

HALF BACK - DANIEL BOWLES (NIGHTCLIFF, 27)

Daniel Bowles has made his name as a big marking, long kicking defender. Picture GLENN CAMPBELL

From Shepparton in Victoria’s northeast, Bowles has played in the powerful Goulburn Valley and Ovens and Murray leagues where he has made his name as a big marking, long kicking defender. A two-time premiership player with Nightcliff, Bowles’ ability to spot up teammates further down the ground with short and long kicks is a big part of the Tigers’ back half.

WATCH ROUND 5 OF THE NTFL

Bombers clash with Waratah at TIO

Buffs clash with the Tigers at TIO Stadium

Wanderers take on Southern Districts in Round 5

St Mary’s battle the Magpies at TIO Stadium

CENTRE HALF-BACK - BRODIE NEWMAN (WANDERERS, 19)

Brodie Newman has been a revelation for Wanderers in the key role of centre half-back. Picture: Felicity Elliott AFLNT/Media

Another key position player from Victoria who was recommended to Wanderers by their midfielder Josh Cubillo after watching him at Essendon Districts club Alberfeldie. A product of the Calder Cannons TAC Cup side, Newman’s powerful overhead marking and clearance work, combined with precise disposal by hand or foot makes him an important player.

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HALF BACK - LUCAS JELLYMAN-TURNER (ST MARY’S, 24)

Classy defender Lucas Jellyman-Turner has joined St Mary's this season. Picture: Felicity Elliott

A straight ahead defender who has all the attributes to turn defence into attack with his precise disposal and ability to find the ball, Jellyman-Turner has fitted into the St Mary’s game plan like a hand into a glove. New Zealand born Jellyman-Turner was a late starter in the game, but his playing record with Berwick in Melbourne’s southeastern suburbs and early games in the NTFL suggest the Saints have unearthed a diamond.